BLT Pasta Salad with Creamy Avocado Ranch Dressing
BLT Pasta Salad with Creamy Avocado Ranch Dressing is a BLT pasta salad recipe featuring 30-minute prep, creamy homemade dressing, and crowd-friendly servings for everything from family dinners to summer cookouts. Crispy bacon, pasta, romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, and cheddar cheese are tossed in a smooth avocado ranch dressing that comes together quickly in a blender.
Servings: 8
Calories: 423kcal
Equipment
- Large Pot
- Blender or food processor
- Large Mixing Bowl
- Wooden spoon or spatula
Ingredients
BLT Pasta Salad
- 12 ounces radiatori pasta or pasta of choice (rotini, bowtie, etc)
- 10 slices bacon cooked until crisp and chopped
- 1½ cups cherry tomatoes halved
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese shredded
- 2 cups chopped romaine lettuce
- ¼ cup thinly sliced red onion
Avocado Ranch Dressing (Yields about 2 cups)
- 1 large ripe avocado
- 1 cup whole milk
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons dry ranch seasoning mix such as Hidden Valley
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the radiatori according to the package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside to cool completely.
- Add the avocado, milk, sour cream, ranch seasoning, and lemon juice to a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth and creamy. If the dressing seems too thick, add a splash of milk until it reaches a pourable consistency.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, bacon, tomatoes, cheddar cheese, and red onion. Pour 1 cup of the avocado ranch dressing over the pasta salad and toss until evenly coated. Add additional dressing as desired. Reserve the remaining dressing for serving or to refresh leftovers after chilling.
- Just before serving, fold in the chopped romaine lettuce and gently toss to combine. Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 30 minutes before serving.
Video
Notes
Cooking Notes
Cool the pasta completely before adding the dressing. Warm pasta can thin the avocado ranch dressing and soften the lettuce too quickly. For the creamiest texture, start with 1 cup of dressing and reserve the remaining dressing for serving or refreshing leftovers.
Tips for Best Results
- Cook the pasta just until al dente so it holds its shape after mixing.
- Use a fully ripe avocado for the smoothest, creamiest dressing.
- Fold in the romaine lettuce right before serving so it stays crisp and fresh.
- Reserve some of the dressing and stir it in before serving if the pasta salad has been chilled.
Nutrition
Calories: 423kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 0.04g | Cholesterol: 40mg | Sodium: 578mg | Potassium: 437mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 1443IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 167mg | Iron: 1mg
