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Creamy BLT Pasta Salad with Easy Homemade Ranch Dressing

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A creamy BLT pasta salad featuring crispy bacon, fresh tomatoes, crunchy lettuce, and a tangy homemade ranch dressing. Perfect for summer gatherings and quick meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces rotini or your favorite short pasta
  • 6 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked until crispy and chopped
  • 1 cup ripe cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded iceberg lettuce or romaine
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion (optional)
  • Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk (or milk with a splash of lemon juice as a substitute)
  • 1 teaspoon dried dill
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • Salt, to taste
  • 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces of rotini pasta and cook according to package instructions, about 8-10 minutes, until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool. Set aside to drain completely.
  2. While pasta cooks, fry 6 slices of thick-cut bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crispy, about 6-8 minutes. Drain on paper towels and chop into bite-sized pieces. Reserve a teaspoon of bacon grease if desired.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1/2 cup buttermilk, 1 teaspoon dried dill, 1 teaspoon dried parsley, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon lemon juice, and salt to taste until smooth and creamy. Adjust seasoning as needed.
  4. In a large bowl, toss the cooked pasta with 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes, 1 1/2 cups shredded lettuce, 1/4 cup chopped red onion (if using), and the chopped bacon.
  5. Pour the ranch dressing over the salad and gently toss to coat evenly.
  6. Season with freshly cracked black pepper and additional salt if needed.
  7. Chill the salad in the refrigerator for at least 20 minutes before serving to let flavors meld and dressing thicken slightly.

Notes

For best flavor, chill the salad for a few hours before serving. Use thick-cut applewood-smoked bacon for best taste. To keep bacon crispy, add it just before serving. For dairy-free version, substitute buttermilk with unsweetened almond milk and use vegan mayo. Fresh herbs in the dressing enhance flavor. Adjust dressing consistency with extra buttermilk or milk if needed.

Nutrition

Keywords: BLT pasta salad, creamy pasta salad, homemade ranch dressing, bacon pasta salad, summer salad, easy pasta salad

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