BLT Pasta Salad
This tried and true BLT pasta salad with spinach stars a creamy homemade dressing, not bottled Ranch. Plus juicy bacon pleases any crowd!
Prep: 15 mins
Total: 30 mins
Servings: 6 to 8 servings
Ingredients
For the BLT Pasta Salad
- 6 ounces thick-cut bacon cooked (about 4 slices)*
- 8 ounces fusilli or similar 100% whole wheat pasta, or gluten-free brown rice pasta
- 10 ounces cherry tomatoes halved (about 2 cups)
- 2 cups lightly packed chopped romaine about 3 ounces
- 2 cups lightly packed baby spinach about 2 ounces
- 3 tablespoons chopped chives plus additional to garnish
For the Yogurt Ranch Dressing
- 1/2 cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons nonfat milk or milk of choice
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon dried dillweed
- 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper optional
- 1 to 2 dashes Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- If necessary, cook the bacon according to one of my easy methods listed below. When cool enough to handle, cut into chunky, bite-sized pieces.
- Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente, according to package instructions. Drain the pasta in a colander, then rinse under cold water to stop its cooking. Shake off as much water as possible, then place it in a large serving bowl.
- In a small bowl or measuring cup, whisk together the ranch dressing: Greek yogurt, milk, olive oil, garlic powder, black pepper, onion powder, dillweed, salt, cayenne pepper, and Worcestershire. Pour over the noodles, then toss to coat.
- Gently fold in the cherry tomatoes, romaine, spinach, 3 tablespoons chives, and reserved bacon. Sprinkle with additional chives for garnish. Taste and adjust seasoning as desired. Serve right away, at room temperature, or chilled.
Notes
- *Easy bacon cooking methods: Oven Baked Bacon or Air Fryer Bacon.
- TO STORE. This cold pasta salad will last for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator. To keep pasta salad from drying out when you know you will have leftovers, make a little extra dressing (or reserve some at the beginning), then stir it in just before serving.
- TO FREEZE. I do not recommend freezing pasta salad, as the noodles will become mushy and the dressing will lose its flavor when thawed.
Nutrition
Serving: 1of 6Calories: 306kcalCarbohydrates: 33gProtein: 11gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 20mgPotassium: 382mgFiber: 2gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 2640IUVitamin C: 15mgCalcium: 57mgIron: 1mg
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