Description

This Ranch BLT Pasta Salad is a delicious and refreshing cold pasta dish combining rotini pasta, crispy bacon, fresh cherry tomatoes, crunchy lettuce, and shredded cheddar cheese, all tossed in a creamy ranch dressing. Perfect as a light main or a picnic side, it blends classic BLT flavors in an easy-to-make, chilled pasta salad that can be prepared ahead and customized with optional ingredients like grilled chicken or avocado.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta Salad

12 oz rotini or penne pasta
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1½ cups cooked bacon, chopped
2 cups romaine or iceberg lettuce, chopped
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
½ cup red onion, finely diced (optional)

Dressing

1 cup ranch dressing
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
1 tablespoon fresh chopped parsley
½ teaspoon black pepper
¼ teaspoon salt

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Instructions

Cook the pasta: Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rotini or penne pasta and cook until al dente, usually about 8-10 minutes. Drain the pasta and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it completely.
Make the dressing: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the ranch dressing, mayonnaise, chopped fresh parsley, salt, and black pepper until smooth and well combined.
Combine ingredients: Add the cooled pasta to the bowl with the dressing. Then fold in the halved cherry tomatoes, chopped cooked bacon, chopped lettuce, shredded cheddar cheese, and red onion if using. Toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly with the dressing.
Chill: Cover the pasta salad and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving. This chilling time allows the flavors to meld together beautifully.
Serve: Serve the Ranch BLT Pasta Salad cold as a refreshing side dish or a light main course. For best texture, add the lettuce just before serving if preferred crispness is desired.

Notes

Add grilled chicken or avocado to the salad to make it heartier and more filling.
Use homemade ranch dressing for extra flavor, or a lighter version for fewer calories.
Add the lettuce just before serving to maintain its crisp freshness.