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Creamy Layered BLT Pasta Salad with Avocado Ranch

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This Creamy Layered BLT Pasta Salad with Avocado Ranch is a showstopper for potlucks and BBQs. Layers of rotini pasta, crispy bacon, cherry tomatoes, romaine lettuce, and cheddar cheese are brought together with a tangy, herby avocado ranch dressing. It’s quick, easy, and always a crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound rotini or fusilli pasta
  • 1 pound thick-cut bacon
  • 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 4 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 4 green onions, sliced
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 ripe avocado
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1 packet ranch seasoning mix
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup fresh dill, chopped

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a rolling boil. Add rotini and cook according to package directions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain in a colander and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process. Shake off excess water and set aside to cool completely.
  2. Crisp the bacon: Lay bacon strips in a cold skillet. Turn heat to medium and cook, flipping occasionally, until deeply golden and crispy, about 8-10 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain and cool. Once cool, chop into bite-sized pieces.
  3. Make the avocado ranch dressing: Halve avocado, remove pit, and scoop flesh into a food processor or blender. Add buttermilk, sour cream, ranch seasoning, lemon juice, minced garlic, and fresh dill. Pulse until completely smooth, scraping down sides as needed. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Refrigerate until ready to use.
  4. Prep your veggies: Halve cherry tomatoes and place in a small bowl. Chop romaine lettuce into bite-sized pieces and pat dry. Slice green onions.
  5. Layer the salad: In a clear glass bowl or trifle dish, start with a layer of half the cooled pasta. Drizzle with one-third of the avocado ranch dressing. Add a layer of chopped romaine, then half the bacon pieces, half the tomatoes, half the shredded cheddar, and half the sliced green onions. Repeat layers: remaining pasta, another third of dressing, remaining lettuce, remaining bacon, remaining tomatoes, remaining cheese, and remaining green onions. Reserve a little bacon and a few tomato halve…
  6. Chill before serving: Cover bowl tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours. When ready to serve, toss everything together at the table. Drizzle any remaining dressing over the top and serve immediately.

Notes

For best results, let bacon cool completely before adding to layers to prevent wilting lettuce. Keep dressing on the thicker side as it will thin out when refrigerated. If making ahead, store dressing separately and add just before serving.

Nutrition

Keywords: BLT pasta salad, avocado ranch, layered salad, potluck recipe, summer salad, bacon pasta salad

Find it online: https://sagestirs.com/creamy-layered-blt-pasta-salad-with-avocado-ranch-recipe/