Avocado lovers, this is for you! This easy BLAT Pasta Salad not only contains chunks of avocado, but it also features a creamy avocado ranch dressing. If that’s not enough, a few extra avocado slices make a beautiful garnish! After the pasta and bacon are cooked, this salad comes together quickly.
The dressing is made in the blender to ensure a smooth consistency and can be made in advance to save time. This would be a great dish to prepare for your next barbecue, but it’s also substantial enough to serve on its own as a light meal, or with your favourite protein to create a complete family dinner.
Can you make BLAT Pasta Salad ahead of time?
BLAT Pasta Salad is a fantastic recipe to meal prep and make ahead of time. The avocado ranch dressing can keep up to 3 days in advance. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Combine it with the remaining ingredients just before serving.
BLAT Pasta Salad
Share PrintIngredients
- AVOCADO RANCH DRESSING
- 1 avocado
- ¼ cup 5 g fresh flat-leaf (Italian) parsley
- ¼ cup 15 g fresh dill
- 1 tbsp fresh chives
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp whole-egg mayonnaise
- 1 cup 250 ml buttermilk
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp sea salt flakes
- ½ tsp cracked black pepper
- SALAD
- 200 g 7 oz bacon slices
- 500 g 1 lb 2 oz pasta spirals (or pasta of your choice), cooked and drained
- 1 avocado cut into chunks, plus extra slices for garnish
- 2 cups 70 g rocket (arugula) or baby spinach leaves
- 1 cup 150 g grape or cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 red onion finely diced
- Dill sprigs to garnish
Instructions
- Add all the avocado ranch dressing ingredients to a food processor or blender and process until smooth.
- Preheat the oven to 220°C (425°F) (200°C/400°F fan).
- Line a baking tray with baking (parchment) paper and arrange the bacon slices so that they are flat and not overlapping. Bake for 10–15 minutes or until crispy and golden. Allow to cool (the bacon will harden as it cools).
- Combine the bacon, pasta, avocado, rocket or spinach leaves, tomatoes and red onion in a large bowl. Drizzle with the avocado ranch dressing and toss to combine.
- Garnish with the extra avocado slices and dill sprigs and serve immediately.
Disclaimer re gluten-free and dairy-free recipes
Janette says:
This homemade dressing is very fresh tasting with the herbs. It was super easy make with an immersion blender. I love a salad with ‘items to chase’ in the bowl and this salad doesn’t disappoint!