Print

Creamy BLT Pasta Salad Recipe with Avocado Ranch Dressing

creamy BLT pasta salad - featured image
Print Recipe

A quick and easy creamy BLT pasta salad featuring crispy bacon, fresh veggies, and a luscious avocado ranch dressing. Perfect for potlucks, picnics, or a comforting meal without heavy cream or mayo overload.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 oz (225g) elbow macaroni or rotini pasta
  • 6 slices thick-cut bacon
  • 2 cups chopped romaine lettuce
  • 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
  • 2 stalks green onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 ripe medium avocado, mashed
  • ½ cup (120ml) buttermilk or milk (dairy or unsweetened almond milk)
  • ¼ cup (60g) sour cream or Greek yogurt
  • 1 tbsp chopped fresh dill
  • 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
  • 1 small clove garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 2 tbsp mayonnaise (optional)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • Optional add-ins: ½ cup sweet corn kernels or diced cucumber

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 oz (225g) elbow macaroni and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking. Set aside to cool.
  2. While pasta cooks, heat a skillet over medium heat. Fry 6 thick-cut bacon slices until crispy, about 6-8 minutes, turning occasionally. Transfer to paper towels to drain excess grease. Once cooled, chop into bite-sized pieces.
  3. In a medium bowl, mash 1 ripe avocado with a fork. Add ½ cup (120ml) buttermilk, ¼ cup (60g) sour cream or Greek yogurt, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1 small minced garlic clove, 2 tbsp mayonnaise (optional), and 1 tbsp each of chopped fresh dill and parsley. Whisk until creamy and smooth. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
  4. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, chopped bacon, 2 cups chopped romaine lettuce, 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes, and 2 sliced green onions. Toss gently to mix.
  5. Pour the avocado ranch dressing over the salad. Toss gently until everything is evenly coated. Adjust seasoning if needed.
  6. Chill the salad in the fridge for 30 minutes before serving for best flavor, or serve immediately if preferred.

Notes

Do not overcook pasta; rinse with cold water to stop cooking and prevent mushiness. Crisp bacon well but avoid burning. Use ripe avocado for creamy dressing. Chill salad before serving to meld flavors. Add splash of buttermilk or milk if dressing is too thick. Avoid overmixing salad after dressing to keep lettuce crisp. For dairy-free, swap sour cream with coconut yogurt and use almond milk. For gluten-free, use rice or chickpea pasta.

Nutrition

Keywords: BLT pasta salad, avocado ranch dressing, creamy pasta salad, bacon pasta salad, quick pasta salad, easy pasta salad, potluck salad, picnic salad

Find it online: https://lucastable.com/creamy-blt-pasta-salad-recipe-with-avocado-ranch-dressing-easy-and-best/