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Crispy BLT Pasta Salad with Easy Homemade Creamy Ranch Dressing

crispy BLT pasta salad - featured image
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A quick and easy crispy BLT pasta salad featuring crunchy bacon, fresh lettuce, juicy tomatoes, and a creamy homemade ranch dressing. Perfect for busy weeknights, potlucks, and casual gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces rotini or fusilli pasta
  • 8 slices thick-cut bacon
  • 4 cups chopped romaine or iceberg lettuce
  • 1 cup cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
  • 3 stalks green onions, thinly sliced
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • ½ cup buttermilk (or milk + 1 tsp lemon juice as substitute)
  • 1 tsp dried dill
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • ½ tsp dried parsley
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • Optional add-ins: shredded cheddar cheese, sliced cucumbers, or avocado

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces of rotini or fusilli pasta and cook according to package instructions, about 8-10 minutes, until al dente. Drain and rinse briefly with cold water to stop cooking. Set aside to cool slightly.
  2. While pasta cooks, heat a skillet over medium heat. Add 8 slices of thick-cut bacon and cook until crisp, about 6-8 minutes, flipping occasionally. Transfer to paper towel-lined plate to drain grease. Once cooled, crumble or chop into bite-sized pieces.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together ½ cup mayonnaise, ½ cup buttermilk, 1 tsp dried dill, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, ½ tsp dried parsley, salt, and black pepper to taste. Adjust seasoning as needed.
  4. Rinse and chop 4 cups of romaine or iceberg lettuce into bite-sized pieces. Halve 1 cup cherry tomatoes and thinly slice 3 green onions. Prepare optional add-ins if using.
  5. In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked pasta, chopped lettuce, tomatoes, green onions, and bacon pieces. Pour creamy ranch dressing over and gently toss until evenly coated. Avoid overmixing to prevent soggy lettuce.
  6. Refrigerate salad for at least 20 minutes before serving to let flavors meld. Toss again before plating and add extra black pepper or fresh herbs if desired.

Notes

Cook bacon until very crisp and add just before serving to keep crunch. Rinse pasta with cold water after cooking to prevent lettuce wilting. Store dressing separately if making ahead to keep salad fresh. Use gluten-free pasta to make recipe gluten-free.

Nutrition

Keywords: BLT pasta salad, creamy ranch dressing, bacon salad, easy pasta salad, potluck recipe, quick salad, homemade ranch

Find it online: https://emmaoven.com/crispy-blt-pasta-salad-recipe-easy-homemade-creamy-ranch-dressing/