Print

Creamy BLT Pasta Salad Recipe with Avocado Basil Ranch and Crispy Bacon

creamy BLT pasta salad - featured image
Print Recipe

A creamy and fresh pasta salad featuring rotini, crispy bacon, romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, and a homemade avocado basil ranch dressing. Perfect for summer potlucks and easy weeknight meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces rotini pasta (or your favorite spiral pasta)
  • 6–8 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked until crispy and chopped
  • 2 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • ½ cup red onion, finely diced (optional)
  • 1 ripe avocado, peeled and pitted
  • ½ cup buttermilk (or plain yogurt for thicker dressing)
  • ¼ cup mayonnaise (light or vegan mayo if preferred)
  • 1 cup fresh basil leaves, packed
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces of rotini pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente (about 9-11 minutes). Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Drain the pasta and rinse briefly under cold water to stop cooking and cool it down. Set aside to drain completely (about 10 minutes).
  2. While pasta cooks, heat a skillet over medium heat. Add 6-8 slices of thick-cut bacon and fry until crispy, turning occasionally (about 8-10 minutes). Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess fat, then chop into bite-sized pieces.
  3. In a food processor or blender, combine 1 ripe avocado, 1 cup fresh basil leaves, ½ cup buttermilk, ¼ cup mayonnaise, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, and 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard. Blend until smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste. If the dressing feels too thick, add a splash more buttermilk.
  4. Chop 2 cups romaine lettuce, halve 1 cup cherry tomatoes, and finely dice ½ cup red onion (optional).
  5. In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta, chopped bacon, romaine, cherry tomatoes, and red onion. Pour the avocado basil ranch dressing over and gently toss to coat everything evenly. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt or pepper if needed.
  6. Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to let the dressing soak in and flavors meld. Serve chilled or at room temperature, garnished with extra crispy bacon or fresh basil leaves if desired.

Notes

Cook pasta al dente and rinse with cold water immediately to prevent mushiness. Fry bacon on medium heat for perfect crispiness and drain on paper towels to avoid greasiness. Use fresh lemon juice in dressing to prevent avocado browning. Chill salad before serving for best flavor. Bacon can be cooked ahead and stored in fridge. For dairy-free, substitute buttermilk with unsweetened almond milk and use dairy-free mayo. For gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta.

Nutrition

Keywords: BLT pasta salad, creamy pasta salad, avocado basil ranch, crispy bacon salad, summer salad, potluck recipe, easy pasta salad

Find it online: https://twinkletaste.com/creamy-blt-pasta-salad-recipe-with-avocado-basil-ranch-and-crispy-bacon-easy-and-perfect/