Description
This BLT Pasta Salad combines the classic flavors of a BLT sandwich with tender rotini pasta, creamy avocado, cheddar cheese, and a zesty homemade ranch dressing. Perfect for potlucks or a refreshing summer meal, this salad is easy to prepare and serves 10 people.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Salad Ingredients
- 1 16-ounce box rotini pasta (cooked, drained, and rinsed with cold water)
- 13 slices bacon (cooked and chopped)
- ½ large red onion (finely diced)
- 1½ cups cheddar cheese (cut into cubes, measured after cubed)
- 2 cups romaine lettuce (cut or torn into bite size pieces, measured after in pieces)
- 1 avocado (cut into small pieces)
- 1½ cups cherry tomatoes (cut in half, measured after cut)
- ¼ cup parsley (chopped)
Dressing
- 1 1-ounce packet Hidden Valley Dressing Mix (dry)
- 1½ cups mayonnaise
- ½ cup sour cream
Instructions
- Prepare the Dressing: In a medium mixing bowl, combine the dry Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing Mix, mayonnaise, and sour cream. Whisk the ingredients thoroughly until smooth and well incorporated. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Cook the Pasta: Cook the rotini pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process and to cool it down. Drain again, then transfer the pasta to a large mixing bowl.
- Combine Salad Ingredients: Add the cooked and chopped bacon, finely diced red onion, cubed cheddar cheese, cubed avocado, halved cherry tomatoes, chopped parsley, and torn romaine lettuce to the bowl with the pasta. Pour the prepared dressing over the salad ingredients.
- Toss the Salad: Using tongs, gently toss the salad ingredients with the dressing until everything is evenly coated. Be careful to combine thoroughly without mashing the avocado.
- Serve: Serve the BLT pasta salad immediately for best freshness and texture. Alternatively, you can refrigerate it briefly before serving if preferred.
Notes
- Cook bacon until crispy for best texture in the salad.
- Rinse pasta under cold water to cool it and prevent it from sticking.
- Handle the avocado gently to avoid mashing it during tossing.
- Refrigeration after assembling can enhance flavor melding but serve within a few hours to maintain lettuce crispness.
- Can be customized with additional vegetables like cucumbers or bell peppers for extra crunch.
