Description
A fresh and flavorful BLT Pasta Salad combining crispy bacon, rotini pasta, fresh vegetables, and a creamy ranch dressing. Perfect for a quick lunch, potluck, or picnic, this salad offers a delightful twist on classic BLT flavors with a hearty pasta base.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta 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
- 2 cups romaine lettuce cut or torn into bite size pieces
- 1 avocado cut into small pieces
- 1½ cups cherry tomatoes cut in half
- ¼ cup parsley chopped
Dressing Ingredients
- 1 1-ounce packet Hidden Valley Dressing Mix dry
- 1½ cups mayonnaise
- ½ cup sour cream
Instructions
- Make the Dressing: In a medium mixing bowl, combine the dry Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing Mix, mayonnaise, and sour cream. Whisk together until smooth. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
- Cook the Pasta: Prepare the rotini pasta according to package directions. Once cooked, drain and rinse with cold water to cool and stop the cooking process. Drain again thoroughly and transfer to a large mixing bowl.
- Combine Salad Ingredients: Add the cooked and chopped bacon, finely diced red onion, cubed cheddar cheese, diced avocado, halved cherry tomatoes, chopped parsley, and romaine lettuce to the bowl with the pasta.
- Toss the Salad: Pour the chilled dressing over the combined ingredients. Using tongs, gently toss everything together until the salad is evenly coated with the dressing.
- Serve: Serve the BLT Pasta Salad immediately for the best texture and flavor, especially to enjoy the crispness of the romaine lettuce. Alternatively, hold off on adding lettuce and dressing until ready to serve if preparing ahead.
Notes
- Romaine lettuce tends to wilt quickly; add it and the dressing just before serving to maintain crunch.
- Leftover salad can be stored in a tightly sealed container and eaten within 24 hours, but fresh is best.
- This recipe yields a large bowl full; halve the ingredients for a smaller serving.
- You can shred the cheddar cheese instead of cubing it for a different texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg
