Ultimate Creamy Herb Pasta Salad with Avocado and Bacon

Ingredients

- 3/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup buttermilk
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh chives, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 8 ounces radiatore or cavatappi pasta
- 1 cup smoked cheddar cheese, grated
- 1 head romaine lettuce, chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 6 slices bacon, cooked crispy and crumbled
- 1 ripe avocado, diced

Instructions

1. Prepare the Dressing:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine 3/4 cup of plain Greek yogurt, 1/4 cup of mayonnaise, and 1/4 cup of buttermilk.
- Add 2 tablespoons each of freshly chopped basil and parsley, 1 tablespoon of freshly chopped dill, 2 tablespoons of freshly chopped chives, and stir well.
- Mix in 1 teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, 1 teaspoon of onion powder, 1 teaspoon of kosher salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper. Whisk until smooth and set aside.

2. Cook the Pasta:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over medium heat.
- Add 8 ounces of radiatore or cavatappi pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente, approximately PT10M (10 minutes).
- Drain the pasta and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. Allow it to cool completely.

3. Combine Salad Ingredients:
- In a large serving bowl, combine the cooled pasta, 1 cup of smoked cheddar cheese, 1 chopped head of romaine lettuce, 1 cup of halved cherry tomatoes, and 6 slices of crumbled crispy bacon.
- Gently fold in the diced ripe avocado, being careful not to crush it.

4. Assemble the Salad:
- Pour the herb dressing over the pasta salad ingredients.
- Toss everything together until the pasta and vegetables are well coated with the dressing.

5. Serve:
- Serve immediately for best taste and texture.

Preparation & Cooking Times

- Preparation Time: PT15M
15 minutes
- Cooking Time: PT10M
10 minutes

Total Time

PT25M
25 minutes

Type of Dish

Lunch

Keywords

Pasta Salad, Herb Dressing, Bacon, Avocado, Cheese, Lunch Recipe, Easy, Fresh, Summer Salad, Creamy

Recipe Yield

Feeds 4 adults

Calories

Total: 1,850 calories

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