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Creamy BLT Pasta Salad with Ranch Dressing

creamy BLT pasta salad with ranch dressing - featured image
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A creamy and tangy pasta salad combining crispy bacon, fresh tomatoes, romaine lettuce, and a rich ranch dressing, perfect for summer BBQs and gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 oz (340g) rotini or elbow macaroni
  • 8 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked crispy and chopped
  • 1 ½ cups cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 2 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
  • 3 green onions, thinly sliced
  • ¾ cup (180ml) ranch dressing
  • ¼ cup (60ml) mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 oz rotini or elbow macaroni and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Drain in a colander and rinse briefly under cold water to stop cooking. Set aside to cool.
  2. While pasta cooks, heat a skillet over medium heat. Add 8 slices of thick-cut bacon and cook, flipping occasionally, until crispy but not burnt (about 6-8 minutes). Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess grease. Once cooled, chop into bite-sized pieces.
  3. Halve 1 ½ cups cherry tomatoes, chop 2 cups romaine lettuce, and thinly slice 3 green onions. Place all in a large mixing bowl.
  4. In a small bowl, whisk together ¾ cup ranch dressing, ¼ cup mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, and salt and pepper to taste. Adjust seasoning as needed.
  5. Add the cooled pasta and chopped bacon to the bowl with veggies. Pour the dressing over and gently toss everything until well coated, being careful not to mash the tomatoes.
  6. Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to let flavors meld and pasta soak up the dressing.

Notes

Cook pasta al dente to avoid mushiness. Cook bacon on medium heat for even crispiness. Chill salad for at least 30 minutes before serving. If salad seems dry after chilling, add more ranch dressing and toss again. Taste and adjust seasoning before serving. Cool pasta completely before mixing to keep lettuce crisp.

Nutrition

Keywords: BLT pasta salad, creamy pasta salad, ranch dressing pasta salad, summer BBQ salad, bacon pasta salad

Find it online: https://lirafood.com/creamy-blt-pasta-salad-with-ranch-dressing-easy-recipe-for-summer-bbqs/