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Creamy BLT Pasta Salad Recipe with Avocado Dressing and Bacon Crumbles

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A fresh and comforting pasta salad featuring crispy bacon, cherry tomatoes, romaine lettuce, and a creamy avocado dressing. Perfect for quick meals, picnics, and gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces rotini or elbow macaroni pasta, cooked al dente
  • 6 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked until crispy and crumbled
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 2 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
  • 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced (optional)
  • 1 ripe avocado, peeled and pitted
  • 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Water, to thin out dressing as needed

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces of pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente (about 8-10 minutes). Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool the pasta. Set aside to drain completely.
  2. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Arrange 6 slices of thick-cut bacon on a foil- or parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 15-20 minutes until crispy. Remove from oven, transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess fat, then crumble once cooled.
  3. Halve 1 cup cherry tomatoes, chop 2 cups romaine lettuce, and finely dice 1/4 cup red onion. Place in a bowl.
  4. In a food processor or blender, combine 1 ripe avocado, 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, and 1 minced garlic clove. Blend until smooth. Add water 1 tablespoon at a time if dressing is too thick. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  5. In a large bowl, gently toss the cooled pasta, bacon crumbles, cherry tomatoes, romaine, and red onion. Pour the avocado dressing over the salad and toss until evenly coated.
  6. Cover and refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Toss gently before serving.

Notes

Let pasta cool completely before mixing to prevent watery dressing and wilting lettuce. Bake bacon in the oven for even crispiness and less mess. Store dressing tightly sealed with lemon juice to prevent browning. Reserve a teaspoon of bacon fat to drizzle over salad for extra flavor. Adjust seasoning after mixing as bacon adds saltiness.

Nutrition

Keywords: BLT pasta salad, avocado dressing, bacon crumbles, creamy pasta salad, summer salad, picnic recipe, easy pasta salad

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