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Creamy BLT Pasta Salad

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A refreshing and vibrant pasta salad that combines crispy bacon, juicy cherry tomatoes, and crunchy romaine with a creamy dressing, perfect for picnics and potlucks.

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)
  • 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

  1. Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the rotini or fusilli and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Once done, drain and rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down.
  2. Fry the bacon: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon until it’s crispy. Transfer the cooked bacon to a plate lined with paper towels to drain off excess grease before chopping it into bite-sized pieces.
  3. Prepare the dressing: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, buttermilk, garlic powder, onion powder, dill, parsley, chives, salt, pepper, and fresh lemon juice. Whisk until the mixture is smooth and creamy, perfect for coating the salad.
  4. Chop your veggies: Halve the cherry tomatoes, chop the romaine lettuce, and slice the green onions. The fresher they are, the more vibrant your salad will taste.
  5. Combine it all: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, crispy bacon, tomatoes, lettuce, green onions, and shredded cheddar cheese. Pour the dressing over the top, and gently toss everything together until well coated.
  6. Chill and serve: For the flavors to meld together beautifully, cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes before serving. Once ready, taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary.

Notes

This salad is customizable; consider adding diced avocado or swapping cheddar cheese for feta. Make it ahead of time for better flavor.

Nutrition

Keywords: pasta salad, creamy salad, BLT, picnic recipes, summer dishes, easy sides

Find it online: https://oliviatable.com/creamy-blt-pasta-salad/