Easy Creamy BLT Pasta Salad with Ranch Dressing for Summer
This vibrant and refreshing Creamy BLT Pasta Salad combines crispy bacon, juicy tomatoes, and fresh lettuce with a rich homemade ranch dressing. Perfect for summer gatherings, it’s easy to make and sure to please a crowd.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 20 mins
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Boiling and Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 ounces rotini or fusilli pasta
- 8 slices bacon, cooked crisp and chopped
- 1 ½ cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 3 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
- 3 green onions, thinly sliced
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ cup buttermilk (or whole milk for lighter version)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped (or 1 tsp dried)
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tsp dried chives
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 ounces of rotini pasta and cook according to package instructions, usually for 8-10 minutes until al dente. Make sure to stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- While the pasta cooks, heat a skillet over medium heat. Add 8 slices of bacon and cook until crisp, about 6-8 minutes, turning as needed to ensure even cooking. Transfer the cooked bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess fat.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together ½ cup mayonnaise, ½ cup sour cream, and ½ cup buttermilk. Add 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tbsp chopped fresh dill, 1 tbsp parsley, and 1 tsp dried chives. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir in 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice.
- Prepare your vegetables: halve 1 ½ cups cherry tomatoes, chop 3 cups romaine lettuce, and thinly slice 3 green onions.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta, chopped bacon, cherry tomatoes, romaine, green onions, and 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese. Pour the ranch dressing over the top and gently toss until everything is evenly coated.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg
Keywords: Rinse the pasta under cold water after cooking to cool it down and prevent mushiness. You can substitute grilled chicken for bacon for a lighter option or use store-bought ranch dressing if short on time.