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Creamy BLT Ranch Pasta Salad Recipe Easy Homemade with Crispy Bacon Crunch

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A creamy and crunchy BLT ranch pasta salad featuring rotini pasta, fresh veggies, homemade ranch dressing, and crispy bacon. Perfect for summer gatherings, potlucks, or easy weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces rotini pasta (uncooked)
  • 2 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup sour cream
  • 1/4 cup buttermilk
  • 1 teaspoon dried dill
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 8 slices bacon, cooked until crispy and crumbled
  • Optional: pinch of smoked paprika for bacon

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 ounces of rotini pasta and cook according to package instructions, usually 8-10 minutes until al dente. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Drain in a colander and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool the pasta. Set aside to drain completely (about 5 minutes).
  2. While the pasta cooks, heat a skillet over medium heat. Lay 8 slices of bacon in a single layer and cook until crispy, about 6-8 minutes, flipping halfway through. Remove bacon to paper towels to drain, then crumble once cool. For a smoky twist, sprinkle a pinch of smoked paprika on the bacon as it cooks.
  3. On a cutting board, halve 1 cup of cherry tomatoes, finely dice 1/4 cup red onion, and chop 2 cups of romaine lettuce.
  4. In a medium bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1/4 cup sour cream, and 1/4 cup buttermilk until smooth. Add 1 teaspoon lemon juice, 1 teaspoon dried dill, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, and salt and pepper to taste. Fold in 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives if using. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
  5. In a large bowl, toss the cooled pasta with the chopped romaine, cherry tomatoes, and red onion. Pour the ranch dressing over the salad and gently mix until everything is coated evenly.
  6. Fold in most of the crumbled bacon, reserving some for topping.
  7. Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to let flavors meld. Just before serving, sprinkle the remaining crispy bacon on top.

Notes

Chill the salad for at least 30 minutes to let flavors meld and keep bacon crispy on top. If salad is too thick after chilling, stir in a splash of buttermilk or milk to loosen. For gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta or spiralized veggies. For dairy-free, substitute mayo and sour cream with vegan versions and use coconut or almond milk instead of buttermilk. Add bacon topping just before serving to maintain crunch.

Nutrition

Keywords: BLT pasta salad, ranch pasta salad, creamy pasta salad, bacon pasta salad, summer salad, potluck salad, easy pasta salad

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