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This bacon ranch pasta salad is creamy, packed with bacon and cheese, and easy to throw together for any gathering. It’s always a hit, even with picky eaters!
Ever had a comfort food disguised as a side?
This bacon ranch pasta salad is loaded with satisfyingly tender pasta, smoky bacon bits, yummy cheddar cheese cubes, and veggies, all smothered in a creamy ranch dressing.
Let it chill, and the flavors get even better!
Add chicken, veggies, herbs, and spices to turn it into your ultimate crave-worthy bowl.
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Why You’ll Love This Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad Recipe
- Featuring perfectly tender pasta, crispy bacon, chunks of cheese, peas, and tomatoes, all tossed in a creamy ranch dressing, this bacon and ranch pasta salad is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for potlucks and summer BBQs.
- Make-ahead friendly and tastier the next day, this bacon ranch pasta salad only gets better with time.
- This bacon ranch pasta salad is creamy, satisfying, and hearty enough to serve as a main.
Ingredients And Substitutions
Tri-color rotini pasta – Multi-colored pasta makes this bacon ranch pasta salad pop! Shell pasta, bow ties, and other short pasta shapes are also great options.
Mayonnaise – The creamy base for the bacon ranch pasta salad dressing.
Sour cream – Brings just enough tang to balance the richness of the dressing.
Milk – To thin out the dressing.
Ranch dressing mix – You can make the dry ranch seasoning mix from scratch, but we’re keeping it simple with a store-bought option.
Bacon – Feel free to cut down on prep work with pre-cooked, crispy bacon pieces.
Green peas – Canned or frozen peas, it’s up to you!
Cheddar cheese – You can use mild or sharp cheddar, but feel free to mix it up. Monterey Jack and Colby Jack cheese are delicious choices for this bacon ranch pasta salad.
Cherry tomatoes – Grape tomatoes also work.
Salted water – For cooking your pasta.
Ingredient Additions For Bacon and Ranch Pasta Salad
Mix-Ins
For a heartier ranch bacon pasta salad, bulk it up with drained canned corn, chopped red onion, sliced olives, shredded carrot, or toss in our Instant Pot chicken bites!
Toppings and Garnishes
Serve your bacon ranch pasta with chopped green onions, crumbled feta cheese, and toasted pine nuts for texture and visual contrast!
Spices and Condiments
This bacon and ranch pasta salad is already delicious, but you can give it extra oomph with garlic powder and Dijon mustard.
Tips For Making This Recipe
Avoid Mushy Pasta
Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the rotini for about 8 minutes. The pasta should be tender but firm to the bite.
Thaw Frozen peas
You can use frozen peas for your bacon and ranch pasta salad. Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight, then cook according to the package directions, and let the peas cool.
Revive Dry Pasta Salad
If your bacon ranch pasta salad looks a little dry after chilling, stir in a spoonful of sour cream or mayo. A splash of milk also works!
Ranch Bacon Pasta Salad Recipe FAQs
Do I have to use rotini pasta?
How do you stop pasta from sticking together?
Add salt and oil to the water when it comes to a boil. Stir the pasta frequently while it cooks, and rinse the cooked pasta noodles with cold water immediately after draining them.
Can you prepare bacon ranch pasta salad ahead of time?
Yes, you can make this bacon and ranch pasta salad in advance. In fact, you can prepare it 1 to 2 hours ahead, as it’s best served chilled. Refrigerating your homemade dressing for at least 15 minutes will also help thicken it up!
How long can bacon ranch pasta salad sit out?
Following the FDA’s food safety tips, pasta salad shouldn’t be left out for over 2 hours, or 1 hour if temperatures exceed 90°F.
How to store leftover ranch bacon pasta salad?
Store your ranch pasta salad with bacon in an airtight container in the fridge for 4 to 5 days. Toss with extra milk, mayo, or ranch if it looks dry.
More Delicious Salad Recipes
- Asian Cucumber Salad
- Orange Quinoa Salad
- Hot Girl Summer Salad
- Vegan Cobb Salad
- Red White and Blue Fruit Salad
I found this recipe for Greek Pasta Salad that I HAVE to try!
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Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 12 oz dry tri-color rotini pasta
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 1-oz packet dry ranch dip mix
- 6 slices bacon
- 8 oz green peas, drained if using canned
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, cubed
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, diced
- Salted water for cooking the pasta
Instructions
- Cook the rotini pasta until al dente in a pot of salted water. Drain, rinse with cold water, then cool to room temperature.
- Chop the bacon strips into small pieces and fry them over medium-high heat until crispy. Place on paper towels to soak up the excess grease.
- For the dressing, combine the mayonnaise, sour cream, ranch dip mix, and milk until smooth and well blended. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, mix the cooked pasta, cheddar cheese cubes, green peas, diced tomatoes, and chopped bacon.
- Add the dressing and gently toss until everything is well-coated. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving for optimal flavor. Enjoy!
Notes
- Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the rotini for about 8 minutes. The pasta should be tender but firm to the bite.
- You can use frozen peas for your bacon and ranch pasta salad. Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight, then cook according to the package directions, and let the peas cool.
- If your bacon ranch pasta salad looks a little dry after chilling, stir in a spoonful of sour cream or mayo. A splash of milk also works!
Nutrition
PIN FOR LATER!
