Description
A creamy and flavorful BLT Pasta Salad combining crispy bacon, fresh romaine, cherry tomatoes, and farfalle pasta tossed in a homemade ranch dressing. Perfect as a refreshing side or light main course, this salad blends classic BLT flavors with a creamy Ranch twist and BBQ sauce for an extra kick.
Ingredients
Scale
Dressing
- 1 cup milk (any kind)
- 1 cup sour cream
- 3 tablespoons Ranch seasoning mix
Salad
- 12 strips thick-cut bacon (high quality)
- 1 lb. Farfalle pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 cups romaine lettuce (washed, chopped, and dried)
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes (quartered)
- 1/3 cup red onions (finely diced)
- 1 tablespoon BBQ sauce
Instructions
- Prepare Dressing: In a large measuring cup, whisk together the milk, sour cream, and Ranch seasoning mix until smooth. Refrigerate the mixture to allow it to thicken and develop flavor while you prepare the rest of the salad.
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the farfalle pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and spread it out on a tray or parchment paper. Drizzle the olive oil over the pasta to prevent sticking and allow it to cool completely.
- Cook Bacon: Meanwhile, cut the bacon strips in half. Fry them in a 12-inch skillet over low heat until they are crispy on both sides. Remove from the skillet and let cool, then roughly chop the bacon into bite-sized pieces.
- Toss Pasta with Dressing: Transfer the cooled pasta to a large mixing bowl. Add ½ cup of the prepared ranch dressing and toss thoroughly to coat each piece.
- Combine Salad Ingredients: Add the chopped romaine lettuce, quartered cherry tomatoes, finely diced red onions, ¾ of the chopped bacon, and BBQ sauce to the bowl with the pasta. Pour in another ½ cup of ranch dressing and toss everything gently but evenly to combine all the flavors.
- Serve or Chill: Transfer the pasta salad to a clean serving bowl. Top with the remaining chopped bacon for added crunch and presentation. Serve immediately or chill in the refrigerator for up to 3 hours before serving for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Use thick-cut bacon for extra crispy texture and better flavor retention in the salad.
- To prevent pasta from clumping, spread it out and drizzle with olive oil while cooling.
- Feel free to adjust the BBQ sauce quantity to suit your taste preference.
- This salad can be prepared a few hours ahead, but best served within 3 hours for freshness.
- If you prefer a dairy-free version, substitute sour cream with a dairy-free alternative and use appropriate milk.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Frying and Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: BLT pasta salad, creamy pasta salad, bacon pasta salad, ranch dressing salad, summer salad, picnic recipe
