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BLT Ranch Pasta Salad
Yield: 8 servings
Classic flavors come together with ease in this BLT pasta salad that's equally perfect for family meals, packed lunches, and casual entertaining. For a well-rounded and filling meal, just add cooked chicken.

Ingredients

  • 16 ounces gemelli pasta (or your pasta of choice, gluten-free if needed), cooked according to package directions and cooled
  • 1 pint tomato grapes, halved
  • 1 heart of romaine, sliced horizontally
  • 12 pieces bacon, cooked and crumbled
  • Better-For-You Ranch Dressing, Small Batch Ranch Dressing*, or your favorite ranch (½-1 cup, depending on whether you like your salad lightly or more liberally tossed)
  • 1 small bunch green onions (or ¼ cup of fresh chives), chopped

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, combine pasta, tomatoes, romaine, and green onions. Pour the ranch dressing over top and toss well.
  2. Cover and store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
  3. Prior to serving, toss and add another drizzle of dressing, if desired. Add crumbled bacon and serve immediately.

Notes

* If using Small Batch Ranch Dressing, you will need to scale the recipe up.

• For prep-ahead convenience, I sometimes cook the pasta ahead of time and, after draining, toss with a tablespoon or two of olive oil and a sprinkle of freshly ground pepper and kosher salt. Then I cover and store it in the refrigerator until ready to finish prepping the salad. This makes the preparation very easy and ensures that the pasta does not absorb too much of the dressing before you are ready to eat.

• When in season, add a little chopped basil as a garnish or mix more liberally throughout the salad for a burst of fresh flavor.

• Cooking for a small number? This recipe makes enough for a good-sized crowd and can be cut in half easily.

More recipes at FountainAvenueKitchen.com