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Creamy BLT Pasta Salad with Ranch Dressing

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A creamy, crunchy, and flavorful pasta salad featuring crispy bacon, fresh veggies, and tangy ranch dressing, perfect for summer BBQs and gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces rotini or bowtie pasta
  • 8 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled
  • 2 cups shredded iceberg or romaine lettuce
  • 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
  • 3 stalks green onions, thinly sliced
  • 3/4 cup ranch dressing
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional)
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 ounces rotini pasta and cook until al dente, about 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  2. Drain pasta in a colander and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool it down. Shake off excess water well.
  3. While pasta cooks, heat a skillet over medium heat. Lay 8 thick-cut bacon slices in the pan and cook until crisp, about 6-8 minutes, turning occasionally. Transfer to paper towels to drain and cool, then crumble into bite-sized pieces.
  4. Rinse and dry 2 cups shredded lettuce, slice 1 cup cherry tomatoes in half, and thinly slice 3 green onions. Chop 2 tablespoons parsley if using.
  5. In a small bowl, whisk together 3/4 cup ranch dressing and 1/4 cup mayonnaise until smooth. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
  6. In a large bowl, combine cooled pasta, crumbled bacon, lettuce, tomatoes, green onions, and shredded cheddar cheese. Pour dressing over everything.
  7. Gently toss all ingredients until evenly coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.
  8. Just before serving, stir the salad again and sprinkle chopped parsley on top if desired. Adjust seasoning if needed.

Notes

Do not overdress the salad to keep pasta from becoming soggy. Dry lettuce well and add it last to maintain crunch. Chill salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to meld flavors. For lighter versions, swap half the mayo for Greek yogurt. Use gluten-free pasta for gluten-free diets. Dairy-free ranch and vegan cheese can be used for dairy-free adaptations.

Nutrition

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

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