Vitale insists that you run your cooked pasta through cold water immediately so it stops cooking and can avoid getting mushy after it's combined with the other ingredients. She also swears by orecchiette for this recipe, because of how the dressing will get into the hollows in the pasta and really permeate it – but you're free to use another kind of pasta, like shells. Likewise, while this recipe calls for arugula, you may choose to replace it with spinach or another leafy ingredient if you prefer.
Beloved Italian-American cook Laura Vitale has made hundreds of highly successful cooking videos on her YouTube channel, in addition to publishing a book, "Laura in the Kitchen: Favorite Italian-American Recipes Made Easy," and starring in her own TV show on the Cooking Channel, "Simply Laura." Between her bubbly personality and her easy recipes, it's no surprise she's so successful.
Check out Vitale's BLT pasta salad with avocado ranch dressing below, then share it with your friends and family on Facebook!
