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Creamy BLT Ranch Pasta Salad Recipe with Crispy Bacon

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A quick and easy creamy BLT ranch pasta salad featuring crispy bacon, fresh lettuce, and tomatoes tossed with a rich ranch dressing. Perfect for summer gatherings and potlucks.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 oz rotini or penne pasta
  • 8 slices thick-cut bacon
  • 1 ½ cups cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 2 cups shredded iceberg lettuce
  • ½ cup finely chopped red onion (optional)
  • ¾ cup ranch dressing
  • ¼ cup mayonnaise
  • ¼ cup sour cream
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Salt, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or chives (optional)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add 12 oz rotini or penne and cook according to package instructions until al dente (about 9-11 minutes). Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool the pasta. Let it drain well.
  2. While pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add 8 thick-cut bacon slices, cooking until crispy, about 6-8 minutes, turning occasionally. Transfer bacon to paper towels to drain excess grease. Once cooled, chop into bite-sized pieces.
  3. In a medium bowl, whisk together ¾ cup ranch dressing, ¼ cup mayonnaise, ¼ cup sour cream, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon smoked paprika, and freshly ground black pepper. Taste and adjust salt if needed.
  4. Halve 1 ½ cups cherry tomatoes, shred 2 cups iceberg lettuce, and finely chop ½ cup red onion if using. Chop fresh herbs like parsley if you have them on hand.
  5. In a large bowl, add the cooled pasta, bacon pieces, chopped veggies, and fresh herbs. Pour the dressing over and gently toss to combine evenly.
  6. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let flavors meld and the salad get nicely chilled.

Notes

Rinse pasta under cold water to prevent overcooking and gummy texture. Cook bacon until very crispy and add it just before serving or chilling to keep crunch. If salad is too thick after chilling, stir in a tablespoon of milk or buttermilk to loosen dressing. Can substitute gluten-free pasta or dairy-free ranch and mayo for dietary needs.

Nutrition

Keywords: BLT pasta salad, creamy pasta salad, bacon pasta salad, ranch dressing salad, summer salad, potluck recipe

Find it online: https://zorbmeal.com/creamy-blt-ranch-pasta-salad-recipe-with-crispy-bacon-easy-and-perfect-for-summer/