Have you ever enjoyed a B.A.T. sandwich?? B.A.T. is what I prefer over a B.L.T. Skip the lettuce and replace it with a tasty avocado. Talk about flavor! Yum!
I decided to take that favorite sandwich of mine and turn it into a pasta salad. Cinco de Mayo is coming up and you know you’ll be asked to bring something to go alongside the nachos and margaritas. Although this isn’t really Mexican, it has such fresh flavors and with avocado and bacon as ingredients, I don’t think anyone will complain one bit!
You may remember last summer when I partnered with The California Avocado Commission to bring you some avocado recipes…the Salmon Sliders with Avocado Sauce and the Avocado Smoothies/Milkshakes were certainly popular! It appears that you love avocados just as much as I do! I’m excited to tell you that I am partnering with The California Avocado Commission again this year. Myself, along with Dara from Cookin’ Canuck, Shawn of I Wash…You Dry and Rachel of Southern Fairytale, will each be bringing you a fabulous California avocado recipe a month for the next six months. It’s going to be fun!
I shared this Creamy Avocado Ranch Salad Dressing recipe with you way back in 2009. (Raise your hand if you were reading Dine & Dish in 2009. Thank you for still being here!) This dressing makes more than you’ll need for the pasta salad, which is a good thing… you’ll want to eat it every day, on everything!
Enjoy!
Bacon Avocado Tomato Pasta Salad with Avocado Ranch Dressing
Ingredients
For the salad:
- 1 pound rotini pasta cooked according to package directions
- 1 diced California Avocado peeled and pit removed
- 1/4 cup grape tomatoes halved
- 5 slices cooked bacon
For the dressing:
- 1 California Avocado peeled and pit removed
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoon buttermilk
- 2 teaspoons distilled white vinegar
- 1/4 teaspoon cracked black pepper
- 1/8 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 pinch dried dill weed
- 1/8 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 garlic clove
Instructions
For the salad:
- Combine pasta, tomatoes, avocados and bacon.
For the dressing:
- Mash avocado in a bowl, then stir in mayonnaise, sour cream, buttermilk, and vinegar. Add parsley, dill, pepper, onion powder, and garlic. Stir until well blended, chill until ready to serve.
- Pour 1/4 - 1/2 cup of dressing over pasta salad. Toss. Chill until ready to serve.
Disclosure: I am honored to be a part of the 2013 California Avocados Blogger Ambassador Team. All opinions are my own. If you’d like more avocado news, be sure to follow the California Avocado Commission onTwitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Karly says
My hand is raised! What prize do I win? Can it maybe be a big ol’ bowl of this? Because, yum.
Kristen says
My grandest appreciation 🙂 Thanks for being here, Karly!
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com says
Oh my yum! So hungry and I;m off to pin this!
Meagan @ A Zesty Bite says
I’m totally into this BAT! I might even dig it more than the traditional BLT.
tanya says
I don’t know what I like more, the avocado in the salad or the dressing! Actually I love it all! This is my kind of salad and I don’t think I can wait for Cinco de Mayo to eat it!
Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet says
I am in! Love this salad idea and the dressing – well, that’s juts a must make!
3 bookworms says
I’ve had a S.A.T sandwich Spinach (or Spring Greens) Avocado and Tomato sandwich (pressed or cold)
will make this recipe minus the bacon
here is a link to my S.A.T sandwich if your curious 🙂 http://littlesliceofhomelife.blogspot.com/2012/08/tomato-avacado-spinach-sandwich.html
Stefanie @ Sarcastic Cooking says
Oh baby! All my favorite things! I love that cute little dressing server. Oh, and the dressing in it too!
Monet says
This is such a stunning salad! I love how you took one of my favorite sandwiches…and made it into this lovely dish. Thank you for sharing. I can’t wait to give this a try!
Denise says
Raising my hand!!! I make a similar recipe but it is forgoes the pasta and I bump up the lettuce and serve with a spicy dressing. Thinking I am going to skip the lettuce and toss in the pasta next time!!
Amy @Very Culinary says
YUM. That is all.
Tieghan says
OH this salad is making me crazy! Avocado ranch is my favorite! Actually, I am using it in mu post tomorrow! I love avocado’s and this salad look awesome!
JulieD says
Ohhh this looks so good, I have to make your avocado ranch dressing! Anddd congrats on working with CA Avocados again! I hope you get to take a trip out to California to see some avocado farms! 😀
Cassie | Bake Your Day says
I loooove avocados. This is a great idea, Kristen!
Deborah says
I have been craving a good salad. I think this one is going on my next menu!
Marnely Rodriguez-Murray says
You’re making me crave a SALAD at 10pm?! You’ve got special powers! (This looks amazing!)
Trish Butler says
I think I would like a b a l t I am goi.ng to have your salad as soon as possible. It looks so tasty and my husband will love all of those tomatoes.
Stephie @ Eat Your Heart Out says
There are few things I love more than a BLT with avocado…so this is totally right up my alley! YUM.
Heather | Farmgirl Gourmet says
Excellent use of those gorgeous Avos. Yum!!!
jennyonthespot says
I’m drooling. Seriously. I need a napkin.
ashley - baker by nature says
This is seriously SO gorgeous! And with an avocado ranch dressing, I know a real treat for the mouth. I’m in love!
Liz @ The Lemon Bowl says
I am hard core craving a BAT sandwich right now!!!!
shelly (cookies and cups) says
omg, this is… sigh.
Bev @ Bev Cooks says
omg.
Carla @ Carlas Confections says
Pasta, BAT, avocado ranch… Yes, yes and a huge YES! Love all of this! 🙂
Katrina @ In Katrina's Kitchen says
You and your salads rock my world!
Cookin' Canuck says
We make a BLT (with spinach, not lettuce) pasta salad that is one of our all-time favorites. Your avocado version sounds even better. This would likely become my go-to summertime potluck offering.
TidyMom says
oh I’ve not only missed out on trying this sandwich, but now I’m adding this salad to my list!! I’m such an avocado fan I love when I find new ways to eat them!
Stacy | Wicked Good Kitchen says
Look out…I’m divin’ in! Bowl. Full. Of. Heaven. Love avos. Thank you, Kristen! xo
Alaina @ Fabtastic Eats says
This salad sounds so fabulous and refreshing! love the replacement with avocado!!
Audra | The Baker Chick says
Oh this looks so wonderful! I love BLTs- but for some reason never make them. I love the idea of tossing everything together in a lower-carb salad idea!!
Sommer@ASpicyPerspective says
Kristen, that looks so satisfying! Swoon….
Nutmeg Nanny says
Holy moly, all of my favorite flavors all tossed into one bowl! This looks addicting 🙂
Paula - bell'alimento says
This is my kind of salad!
Sues says
I would always choose avocado over lettuce!! This salad is beautiful!!
camille says
Well, that solves the question of what I want to have for dinner for the rest of my life.
TidyMom says
I can’t get this recipe out of my head!! I had to come back to say thanks for linking up! I featured your post in my I Spy Sunday party wrap up post! http://tidymom.net/2013/i-spy-sunday-creative-ideas/
Have a fabulous rest of the weekend Kristen!
Brian @ A Thought For Food says
I meant to comment on this a long time ago! It looks so so so good!
Natalie @ Cooking for My Kids says
I have been here since 2007, friend! 🙂 And, I have happily made that delicious salad dressing, too! Have a super week!
The Teacher Cooks says
I love avocado and this sounds delicious. The dressing is especially appetizing. A must for me!
Neel says
Wow! This looks incredible! Just stumbled across your beautiful blog and can’t wait to explore more!