BLT Pasta Salad

Ingredients – serving 9

Homemade Ranch Dressing

  • 3/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/2 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried chives
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried dill weed
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste
 
Pasta Salad
  •  12 ounces dry pasta cooked and cooled
  • 10 slices bacon cooked and chopped
  • 1 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes quartered
  • 1 cup roughly chopped romaine lettuce
  • 1/2 avocado diced
  • 1/3 cup diced red onion
  • 1 cup homemade ranch dressing
  • Handful of feta about 3/4 cup
  • Fresh parsley for garnish roughly chopped, optional

Instructions

  1. Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together all the dressing ingredients (or use a small processor or blender, if you prefer) and set aside. 
  2. Unless using precooked, boil the pasta and fry the bacon, then roughly chop the bacon. Meanwhile, prepare the tomatoes, lettuce, avocado and onion, as directed.
  3. Assemble the salad: In a large bowl, except for the dressing and fresh parsley, toss together the pasta, bacon and prepared veggies. Now, pour 1 cup of the dressing overtop and toss again, until all of the ingredients are coated. 
  4. Crumble the feta over the salad, garnish with parsley, if using, and serve. Set the leftover dressing on the table for extra dolloping.
  5. Add diced cucumber, red bellpepper, or black olives for extra crunch.
  6. Toss in shredded cooked chicken for more protein.
  7. Use gluten-free or legume-based pasta for dietary preferences.