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Creamy BLT Pasta Salad Recipe with Easy Buttermilk Ranch Dressing

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A creamy, crunchy, and savory BLT pasta salad featuring crispy bacon, fresh veggies, and a homemade buttermilk ranch dressing. Perfect for quick meals, potlucks, and picnics.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces (225g) pasta (rotini or bowtie works great)
  • 6 slices bacon, cooked crisp and chopped (thick-cut recommended)
  • 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 medium cucumber, diced
  • 1/2 cup red onion, finely diced (optional)
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 2 cups chopped romaine or iceberg lettuce
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 tablespoon fresh chives, finely chopped (or 1 tsp dried)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • Salt & pepper to taste
  • 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces (225g) of pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 8–10 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool the pasta. Set aside in a large mixing bowl.
  2. While pasta cooks, fry 6 slices of thick-cut bacon in a cast iron skillet over medium heat until crisp, about 8 minutes, flipping occasionally. Drain on paper towels and chop into bite-sized pieces.
  3. Dice 1 medium cucumber, halve 2 cups of cherry tomatoes, finely dice 1/2 cup red onion (if using), and chop 2 cups of romaine or iceberg lettuce. Toss all into the bowl with the cooled pasta.
  4. In a medium bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1/2 cup buttermilk, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 tablespoon chopped chives, 1 tablespoon chopped parsley, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, and 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  5. Pour the dressing over the pasta and veggies, add the chopped bacon and 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese. Toss gently until everything is evenly coated.
  6. Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to let the flavors meld.

Notes

Rinse pasta after cooking to prevent stickiness. Drain bacon well on paper towels to avoid oily salad. Chop veggies uniformly for even flavor distribution. Make dressing fresh with herbs for brightness. Chill salad for at least 30 minutes to meld flavors. Add fresh lettuce just before serving to keep crispness. Bacon can be baked instead of fried for less mess. For gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta. For dairy-free, use vegan mayo and plant-based buttermilk alternatives.

Nutrition

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

Find it online: https://sunnysavory.com/creamy-blt-pasta-salad-recipe-with-easy-buttermilk-ranch-dressing/