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Make-Ahead Crispy BLT Pasta Salad with Smoky Avocado Ranch

Make-Ahead Crispy BLT Pasta Salad - featured image
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A crowd-pleasing pasta salad featuring crispy bacon, fresh veggies, and a creamy smoky avocado ranch dressing. Perfect for make-ahead summer meals and potlucks.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces fusilli or rotini pasta (cooked al dente)
  • 6 slices thick-cut bacon (or turkey bacon for a lighter option)
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cup shredded romaine lettuce or iceberg lettuce
  • 1/2 cup finely diced red onion
  • 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 ripe avocado, peeled and pitted
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk (or plain yogurt)
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried dill
  • Salt and fresh black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces of fusilli or rotini pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente (usually 9-11 minutes). Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool the pasta. Set aside in a large mixing bowl.
  2. While the pasta cooks, place 6 slices of thick-cut bacon in a cold skillet. Turn heat to medium and cook, flipping occasionally until bacon is evenly crispy (about 8-10 minutes). Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess grease, then crumble or chop into bite-sized pieces.
  3. In a blender or food processor, combine 1 ripe avocado, 1/2 cup buttermilk, 1/4 cup mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 minced garlic clove, and 1/2 teaspoon dried dill. Blend until smooth and creamy. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
  4. Halve 1 cup cherry tomatoes, finely dice 1/2 cup red onion, and shred about 1 cup romaine or iceberg lettuce. Add these to the bowl with the pasta.
  5. Add the crumbled bacon and 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese to the pasta and veggies. Pour the smoky avocado ranch dressing over the top and toss gently until everything is evenly coated.
  6. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to let flavors meld. Stir in a splash of buttermilk or water if the dressing thickens before serving. Optionally, reserve some bacon to sprinkle on top before serving.

Notes

Use good quality bacon for best flavor. Cool pasta completely before mixing to avoid soggy lettuce. Salad tastes better after chilling and is ideal for make-ahead meals. Stir dressing if thickened after refrigeration. Crisp bacon can be prepared a day ahead and stored in fridge.

Nutrition

Keywords: BLT pasta salad, smoky avocado ranch, make-ahead salad, summer meals, crispy bacon salad, easy pasta salad, potluck recipe

Find it online: https://fizzlefork.com/make-ahead-crispy-blt-pasta-salad-with-smoky-avocado-ranch-recipe-for-easy-summer-meals/