Description
A creamy, flavorful BLT Pasta Salad combining crispy bacon, fresh vegetables, sharp cheddar cheese, and a zesty Hidden Valley Ranch dressing. Perfect for potlucks, picnics, or a hearty side dish, this pasta salad offers a delightful combination of textures and classic BLT flavors in an easy-to-make, chilled salad.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Bacon
- 1 16-ounce box Rotini Pasta (cooked, drained, and rinsed with cold water)
- 13 slices bacon (cooked and chopped)
Vegetables and Cheese
- ½ large red onion (finely diced)
- 1½ cups cheddar cheese (cut into cubes, measured after cubing)
- 2 cups romaine lettuce (cut or torn into bite-size pieces, measured after prepping)
- 1 avocado (cut into small pieces)
- 1½ cups cherry tomatoes (cut in half, measured after halving)
- 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 together thoroughly until smooth and well blended. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
- Cook the pasta: Cook the rotini pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down. Drain again thoroughly and transfer to a large mixing bowl.
- Combine ingredients: Add the cooked and chopped bacon, finely diced red onion, cubed cheddar cheese, chopped avocado, halved cherry tomatoes, chopped parsley, and romaine lettuce to the pasta bowl. Pour the chilled dressing evenly over the ingredients. Using tongs, gently toss the salad until all components are well coated with the dressing.
- Serve: Serve the BLT Pasta Salad immediately for best texture and flavor, or refrigerate briefly before serving if desired.
Notes
- Ensure the pasta is well rinsed and cooled before mixing to prevent sogginess.
- For best results, cook bacon until crisp but not overly browned to retain texture in the salad.
- You can prepare the dressing a day ahead to deepen the flavor.
- Serve chilled or at room temperature depending on preference.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 2 days; add fresh lettuce if desired before serving again.
