Pasta salad with bacon, lettuce, tomatoes, and creamy avocado ranch for a flavorful, crowd-pleasing meal.
# What You'll Need:
→ Pasta
01 - 12 ounces rotini or fusilli pasta
02 - Salt, for boiling water
→ BLT Components
03 - 6 slices bacon
04 - 2 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
05 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
→ Avocado Ranch Dressing
06 - 1 ripe avocado, peeled and pitted
07 - 1/2 cup mayonnaise
08 - 1/4 cup sour cream
09 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
10 - 2 tablespoons fresh chives, chopped
11 - 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
12 - 1 garlic clove, minced
13 - 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
14 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
15 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
16 - 2 to 3 tablespoons milk, as needed
→ Optional Additions
17 - 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
18 - Extra chopped avocado, for garnish
# Cooking Steps:
01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool. Set aside.
02 - Heat a skillet over medium heat. Arrange bacon slices and cook until crisp, turning occasionally. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate. Once cooled, chop bacon into bite-sized pieces.
03 - In a blender or food processor, combine avocado, mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice, chives, dill, garlic, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Blend until completely smooth. Add milk, one tablespoon at a time, until the dressing reaches a pourable consistency.
04 - In a large mixing bowl, combine cooled pasta, chopped bacon, romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, and red onion if using. Pour the avocado ranch dressing evenly over the ingredients and toss gently to coat.
05 - Transfer the salad to a serving platter or bowl. Garnish with extra chopped avocado and fresh chives if desired. Serve immediately, or chill for 30 minutes to enhance the flavor.
