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Creamy BLT Pasta Salad Recipe with Homemade Ranch Dressing

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A quick and easy creamy BLT pasta salad featuring crispy bacon, fresh veggies, and a homemade ranch dressing that delivers a fresh, tangy kick. Perfect for casual meals, picnics, or potlucks.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces rotini or penne pasta, cooked al dente
  • 8 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked crisp and chopped
  • 2 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • ½ cup red onion, finely diced
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • ½ cup buttermilk
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried dill weed
  • 1 teaspoon fresh chives, finely chopped (optional)
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 ounces of rotini or penne pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente (8-10 minutes). Drain pasta in a colander and rinse briefly under cold water to stop cooking and cool it down. Set aside to drain completely (about 10 minutes).
  2. While pasta cooks, heat a skillet over medium heat. Add 8 slices thick-cut bacon and cook until crispy, turning occasionally for even browning (8-12 minutes). Transfer bacon to paper towels to drain excess fat. Once cooled, chop into bite-sized pieces.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together ½ cup mayonnaise, ½ cup buttermilk, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon dried dill, 1 teaspoon chopped fresh chives, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, and 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. The dressing should be creamy but pourable—add a splash more buttermilk if too thick.
  4. Roughly chop 2 cups romaine lettuce, halve 1 cup cherry tomatoes, and finely dice ½ cup red onion. Make sure lettuce is dry to avoid watery salad.
  5. In a large bowl, combine the cooked and cooled pasta, chopped bacon, lettuce, tomatoes, and onion. Drizzle the homemade ranch dressing over everything. Using two large spoons, toss gently but thoroughly until all ingredients are coated.
  6. Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving. Give it one last gentle toss before plating.

Notes

Cook pasta al dente and rinse under cold water to prevent mushiness. Dry lettuce thoroughly to avoid soggy salad. Start with three-quarters of the dressing and add more after chilling if needed. Bacon saltiness can be balanced by reducing salt in dressing. Salad holds well refrigerated for up to 2 days but is best fresh.

Nutrition

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

Find it online: https://realityeats.com/creamy-blt-pasta-salad-recipe-with-homemade-ranch-dressing-easy-and-delicious/