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Creamy Ranch BLT Pasta Salad

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A quick and easy 5-ingredient summer side dish featuring crispy bacon, fresh veggies, and a creamy homemade ranch dressing tossed with pasta.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces rotini or bowtie pasta
  • 6 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked and crumbled
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cup iceberg or romaine lettuce, chopped
  • 1/2 cup diced cucumber
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1 packet (1 ounce) ranch seasoning mix
  • 2 tablespoons milk or buttermilk
  • Optional: fresh chopped chives or green onions for garnish

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package instructions (8-10 minutes) until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water. Set aside to drain well.
  2. While pasta cooks, heat a skillet over medium heat. Cook bacon until crispy, about 6-8 minutes, flipping occasionally. Drain on paper towels and crumble once cool.
  3. In a bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, ranch seasoning mix, and milk or buttermilk until smooth and creamy. Adjust thickness if needed.
  4. Halve cherry tomatoes, chop lettuce, and dice cucumber into bite-sized pieces.
  5. In a large bowl, combine cooled pasta, crumbled bacon, and chopped veggies. Pour ranch dressing over and gently toss to coat evenly without mashing.
  6. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Toss again before serving and garnish with chives or green onions if desired.

Notes

Do not overcook pasta; rinse with cold water to stop cooking. Use thick-cut bacon for best crispiness. Chill salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to meld flavors. If salad seems dry after chilling, stir in more ranch dressing or milk. Can be made vegetarian by substituting bacon with smoked tempeh or crispy tofu. Use gluten-free pasta for gluten-free version. Store leftovers in airtight container in refrigerator up to 3 days.

Nutrition

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

Find it online: https://norasfoods.com/creamy-ranch-blt-pasta-salad-recipe-easy-5-ingredient-summer-side/