BLT Pasta Salad with Bacon and Avocado Recipe

If you’re hunting for a recipe that’s the best of both worlds — cozy bacon vibes and fresh, summery salad crunch — you’re absolutely going to adore this BLT Pasta Salad with Bacon and Avocado Recipe. It’s like your favorite BLT sandwich got upgraded with pasta and avocado, turning into a dish that’s perfect for potlucks, family dinners, or even meal prep. Trust me, once you try this, it’ll become your go-to whenever you want something comforting but bright and fresh too.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this BLT Pasta Salad with Bacon and Avocado Recipe brings something special. From the saltiness of crisp bacon to the creamy texture of ripe avocado and the fresh pop of cherry tomatoes, they blend into a satisfying dish. Plus, the Hidden Valley Ranch dressing adds that classic tangy touch that pulls it all together.

• Rotini Pasta: Its spiral shape holds the dressing beautifully, so every bite is flavorful.
• Bacon: Adds smoky, crispy texture and savory punch — cook until nicely crispy for the best crunch.
• Red Onion: Provides a mild sharpness and crunch without overpowering the salad.
• Cheddar Cheese: Cubed sharp cheddar adds creamy bursts of rich flavor throughout the dish.
• Romaine Lettuce: Offers fresh, crunchy bites — add it just before serving to keep it crisp.
• Avocado: Creamy and buttery, it balances the bacon’s saltiness perfectly.
• Cherry Tomatoes: Juicy and sweet, they brighten the salad and add beautiful color.
• Parsley: Chopped for a fresh herbal note that cuts through the richness.
• Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing Mix, Mayonnaise & Sour Cream: This combo results in a creamy, tangy dressing that’s the ultimate flavor booster.

Make It Your Way

One of my favorite things about this BLT Pasta Salad with Bacon and Avocado Recipe is how easy it is to tweak for your tastes. Feel free to swap out ingredients or add extra flavors — the base is versatile enough to handle lots of creative spins.

• Substitute Cheese: I often swap cheddar for pepper jack for a little kick or mozzarella for a milder option.
• Extra Veggies: Adding cucumbers or bell peppers gives an even fresher crunch, perfect for summer days.
• Make it Healthier: Use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream to lighten up the dressing without losing creaminess.
• Make it Vegan: Skip bacon and cheese, and toss in some smoked tempeh or crispy chickpeas — seriously good!

Step-by-Step: How I Make BLT Pasta Salad with Bacon and Avocado Recipe

Step 1: Whip Up the Creamy Dressing

Start by combining the Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing Mix with mayonnaise and sour cream in a medium bowl. I like to whisk this until it’s silky smooth. Cover it with plastic wrap and pop it in the fridge for 30 minutes — this chill time lets those flavors meld beautifully and gives the dressing a nice thick texture.

Step 2: Cook and Chill the Pasta

Boil your rotini pasta according to package instructions — about 8 to 10 minutes. Once cooked, drain and rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down fast. Give it a good shake to drain well, then toss it into a large mixing bowl. This step is key so the pasta doesn’t clump and stays ready to soak up that dressing without getting mushy.

Step 3: Crisp Up the Bacon and Prep Veggies

While the pasta is cooking, fry up 13 slices of bacon until crispy, then chop into bite-sized pieces. Pro tip: bake the bacon in the oven on a sheet pan for easy cleanup and even crispiness. Meanwhile, dice a half large red onion finely, cut the cheddar cheese into cubes, halve your cherry tomatoes, chop the parsley, and tear the romaine lettuce into bite-size pieces.

Step 4: Combine Everything With Care

In the big mixing bowl with the pasta, add the cooked bacon, onions, cheese cubes, avocado chunks, cherry tomatoes, parsley, and romaine lettuce. Pour the chilled dressing over the whole salad — then gently toss everything together using tongs or salad forks. I recommend doing this carefully to avoid mashing that creamy avocado but still getting every ingredient coated in the dressing.

Step 5: Serve Immediately for Best Taste

This salad is happiest right away, when the lettuce is crisp and the avocado fresh. If you need to wait, hold off on adding lettuce and dressing until just before serving. Enjoy every vibrant, crunchy, creamy bite!

How to Serve BLT Pasta Salad with Bacon and Avocado Recipe

Garnishes

I usually sprinkle an extra handful of chopped parsley and some cracked black pepper on top to bring a fresh herbal note and a little spice. Sometimes, I add a drizzle of good-quality olive oil just before serving to give a subtle sheen and a hint of richness.

Side Dishes

I love pairing this salad with simple grilled chicken or a juicy burger for heartier meals. For summer days, it’s fantastic alongside grilled corn on the cob or a refreshing cucumber salad. It’s versatile enough to be either a main course or a star side!

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I like serving BLT Pasta Salad with Bacon and Avocado Recipe in a hollowed-out tomato or even layering it in a glass trifle dish for a colorful, eye-catching presentation. Individual mason jars are a fun way to do single servings, especially for picnics or potlucks.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have leftovers, store the salad (without lettuce if possible) in an airtight container in the fridge. I usually save it for just 24 hours because the avocado and lettuce tend to lose their texture quickly. Fresh is best with this one!

Freezing

I don’t recommend freezing this salad, especially because of the avocado, lettuce, and creamy dressing — these ingredients don’t hold up well to freezing and thawing, so you’ll lose that lovely texture.

Reheating

This salad is best served cold or at room temperature, so reheating isn’t really necessary. If you want to warm up the pasta separately for a different dish, cook only the pasta and reheat it alone. The salad itself shines best fresh!

FAQs

Final Thoughts

Honestly, this BLT Pasta Salad with Bacon and Avocado Recipe has become one of my absolute favorites. It’s that satisfying combination of smoky, creamy, fresh, and tangy that hits all the right notes every time. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or just craving something different for dinner, I hope you give it a try and enjoy it as much as I do. Once you taste those layers of flavor mingling in every forkful, I bet this’ll become a staple in your recipe box too.

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