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Creamy BLT Pasta Salad Recipe Easy Homemade with Crispy Bacon and Avocado

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A creamy BLT pasta salad combining crispy bacon, ripe avocado, cherry tomatoes, and a tangy homemade dressing. Perfect for potlucks, quick lunches, and casual dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces (225g) rotini or penne pasta
  • 6 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked until crispy and chopped
  • 1 large ripe avocado, diced
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion (optional)
  • 2 cups crisp romaine lettuce, chopped
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup sour cream
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup (optional)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces (225g) of pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente, about 9-11 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool the pasta. Set aside to drain well.
  2. While the pasta cooks, place 6 slices of thick-cut bacon in a cold skillet. Turn heat to medium and cook, flipping occasionally, until crispy—about 8-10 minutes. Remove bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess fat. Once cooled, chop into bite-sized pieces.
  3. In a small bowl or jar, combine 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1/4 cup sour cream, 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Add 1 teaspoon honey if you like a touch of sweetness. Whisk or shake until smooth and creamy.
  4. Dice 1 ripe avocado, halve 1 cup cherry tomatoes, finely chop 1/4 cup red onion (if using), and roughly chop 2 cups romaine lettuce. Try to keep avocado pieces relatively uniform so you get creamy bites throughout.
  5. In a large bowl, add the cooled pasta, crispy bacon, avocado, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and romaine lettuce.
  6. Pour the dressing over the salad and gently toss to coat everything evenly. Be careful not to mash the avocado too much. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
  7. For best flavor, let the salad chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before serving. Give it a gentle toss again before plating.

Notes

Do not overcook pasta; rinse with cold water immediately after draining. Cook bacon in a cold pan to prevent curling. Add avocado last and fold gently to avoid mashing. Chill salad for at least 30 minutes before serving. Prepare pasta and bacon a day ahead if desired. Use lemon juice on avocado to prevent browning.

Nutrition

Keywords: BLT pasta salad, creamy pasta salad, bacon pasta salad, avocado pasta salad, easy pasta salad, potluck salad, picnic salad

Find it online: https://freshforkful.com/creamy-blt-pasta-salad-recipe-easy-homemade-with-crispy-bacon-and-avocado/