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Creamy BLT Pasta Salad Recipe Perfect for Easy Summer Meals

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A quick and easy creamy BLT pasta salad featuring crunchy bacon, sweet cherry tomatoes, crisp lettuce, and a homemade ranch dressing. Perfect for summer meals, BBQs, and potlucks.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces medium pasta shells (about 340 grams)
  • 8 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked crisp and chopped
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved (about 150 grams)
  • 2 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
  • 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced (optional)
  • For the Ranch Dressing:
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/2 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
  • 1/4 cup buttermilk (or regular milk with a splash of lemon juice)
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 tablespoon fresh chopped chives or parsley
  • 1 teaspoon dried dill (optional)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 ounces of pasta shells and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Drain the pasta in a colander and rinse briefly under cold water to stop cooking. Set aside to cool.
  2. While the pasta cooks, heat a skillet over medium heat. Add 8 slices of thick-cut bacon and cook until crispy, about 6-8 minutes, turning occasionally. Transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain and cool, then chop into bite-sized pieces.
  3. Rinse and halve 1 cup of cherry tomatoes. Chop 2 cups of romaine lettuce into bite-sized pieces. Finely dice 1/4 cup of red onion if using.
  4. In a small bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1/2 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt, and 1/4 cup buttermilk. Add 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives, and 1 teaspoon dried dill. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Whisk until smooth and creamy. Add more buttermilk if dressing is too thick.
  5. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, chopped bacon, cherry tomatoes, romaine lettuce, and red onion. Pour the ranch dressing over the salad and gently toss to coat everything evenly.
  6. Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to let flavors meld. Give it a quick toss before plating. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Notes

Rinse pasta under cold water immediately after cooking to prevent sogginess. Cook bacon until crispy and drain well to reduce grease. Toss salad gently to avoid bruising lettuce. Homemade ranch dressing tastes better than store-bought. For dairy-free or vegetarian options, see substitutions.

Nutrition

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

Find it online: https://clunkcook.com/creamy-blt-pasta-salad-recipe-perfect-for-easy-summer-meals/