You will love the creamy goodness of this Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad, the perfect side dish for any occasion. With its irresistible blend of creamy ranch dressing, crispy bacon, and tender pasta, this crowd pleaser might just become your new favorite side dish!
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This creamy pasta salad is a simple recipe that is big on flavor. It comes together in less than 15 minutes - which I love when I need a quick side dish!
With its delicious combination of ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions, this salad is an excellent choice for potluck dinners and summer barbecues.
For an unforgettable meal, serve this pasta salad alongside mouthwatering options such as Smoked Whole Chicken, Smoked Pork Tenderloin, Smoked Steak, or Smoked Beef Brisket!
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❤️ Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Easy to make: This easy pasta salad recipe requires only a few simple ingredients and minimal preparation.
- Crowd-pleaser: Prepare to impress your guests with this irresistible combination of tender pasta, crispy bacon, and creamy ranch dressing. The flavors blend harmoniously, ensuring that everyone will be reaching for seconds.
- Perfect for any occasion: Whether hosting a summer barbecue, attending a potluck dinner, or simply enjoying a family meal, this pasta salad is the ideal side dish.
- Make it ahead: Planning ahead? No problem! This pasta salad can be made in advance and refrigerated for up to 2 days. It's an excellent option for meal prep or when you have a busy schedule.
- Easy to store: Store leftover cold pasta salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator, and you'll have a convenient and satisfying lunch or dinner option for the next day.
- Creamy and delicious: The star of this dish is undoubtedly the creamy ranch dressing. Its velvety texture and flavor elevate the pasta salad to new heights, making it utterly irresistible.
- Affordable: You won't have to break the bank to enjoy this delightful pasta salad. The recipe calls for readily available, budget-friendly ingredients that can be easily found at any grocery store.
🥓 Ingredient Notes + Substitutions
- Pasta. The choice of pasta is flexible, but rotini, fusilli, or penne work well for this recipe. These shapes hold the dressing and other ingredients nicely. You can also opt for whole wheat or gluten-free pasta if desired.
- Bacon. Crispy bacon adds a smoky and savory flavor to the salad. You can substitute regular bacon with turkey bacon for a healthier option.
- Ranch dressing. Creamy ranch dressing is the star of this dish. You can use store-bought ranch dressing - such as Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing or Ranch Dressing Mix. You can also make homemade ranch dressing.
- Mayonnaise. Mayonnaise adds richness and creaminess to the dressing. However, you could also substitute it with Greek yogurt.
- Sour cream. Sour cream contributes tanginess and creaminess to the dressing. If you would like the dressing less thick, use milk instead.
- Red onion. Chopped red onion provides a mild flavor and adds a bit of crunch. You can also use green onions or chopped shallots as a substitute.
- Cheddar cheese. Cheddar cheese adds a rich and savory flavor to the pasta salad. I used white cheddar cheese - my favorite. You can use sharp cheddar for a more pronounced flavor or mild cheddar for a milder taste. Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, Gouda, and Swiss cheese are also good options.
See the printable recipe card for exact measurements and a full list of ingredients.
🥣 How To Make Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
Cook the pasta in a large pot of lightly salted water, according to the package instructions, until it is al dente. Drain the pasta and rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process.
While the pasta is cooking, cook the bacon. I have an air fryer, so I follow my Bacon in Air Fryer recipe. However, you can cook it in a skillet on the stovetop too. Once the bacon is cooked, remove it to a paper towel-lined plate. Crumble it up into small chunks when cooled.
Next, combine mayonnaise, ranch dressing, sour cream, and garlic powder in a large bowl. Whisk until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
Add the cooked pasta to the bowl with the dressing mixture. Add the cooked and crumbled bacon.
Next, add the chopped chives and red onion to the large bowl. Finally, add the shredded cheddar cheese.
Use a large spoon or spatula to gently fold the ingredients until they are evenly distributed. Season the pasta salad with salt and pepper to taste, if desired.
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and chill the pasta salad in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour or until it is well chilled.
Before serving, give the pasta salad a quick stir to redistribute the dressing and ingredients.
Serve the bacon ranch pasta salad cold, and garnish with chives and crumbled bacon if you like.
Enjoy!
💭 Expert Tips
- Al dente pasta: Be sure to cook the pasta until it is al dente, meaning it is cooked but still firm to the bite. Overcooking can result in mushy pasta.
- Rinse the pasta: Rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down quickly. This will help prevent the pasta from becoming sticky and clumping together.
- Crisp up the bacon: Cook until it is crispy and golden brown. Place the cooked bacon on paper towels to absorb excess grease before crumbling it.
- Let it chill: After combining the pasta, dressing, bacon, and other ingredients, refrigerate the salad for at least an hour before serving to allow the flavors to meld together.
- Experiment with additions: While this pasta salad is delicious, you can personalize it by adding other ingredients such as cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes, diced bell peppers, or sliced black olives.
- Serve it fresh: While the pasta salad can be made ahead and stored, it is best served fresh or within a day or two for optimal flavor and texture.
❓ Recipe FAQs
Yes! This pasta salad can be made ahead of time. First, prepare the salad, cover it, and refrigerate for up to 2 days before serving. Then, give it a good stir before serving to redistribute the dressing and flavors.
Absolutely! While ranch dressing adds a classic flavor to this salad, you can experiment with other dressings such as Caesar, Italian, or a homemade vinaigrette.
Yes, using pre-cooked bacon is a time-saving option. You can use store-bought pre-cooked bacon or cook bacon in advance and store it in the refrigerator. Just ensure the bacon is crispy before adding it to the salad.
To make this salad lighter, you can use reduced-fat or light versions of ranch dressing, mayonnaise, and sour cream. You can also incorporate Greek yogurt or milk for a healthier version.
Absolutely! This recipe can be easily doubled or adjusted to serve a larger group. Change the ingredient quantities accordingly and use a large mixing bowl to accommodate the increased amount.
I do not recommend you freeze this pasta salad, as the texture may be affected once thawed. It is best enjoyed fresh or refrigerated for a couple of days.
🍔 What To Serve With Pasta Bacon Ranch Salad
I like to serve this salad with a variety of dishes. Some of my favorites are:
- Smoked + Grilled Meats: Serve the salad alongside a main dish of Smoked Chicken Breasts, Smoked Pork Chops, Smoked Sausages, Smoked Pork Butt, Grilled Smash Burgers, or Grilled Teriyaki Chicken Skewers. The smoky flavors from the grill complement the creamy and savory elements of the salad.
- BBQ Ribs: The rich and tangy flavors of BBQ Ribs make them an excellent choice to serve alongside this salad.
- Crusty Bread or Garlic Bread: Add some crusty bread or garlic bread to enjoy alongside the pasta salad. The bread can be used to scoop up the salad or served for dipping into the yummy dressing.
- Easy Air Fryer Recipes: Serve the salad alongside Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Thighs, Air Fryer Thin Pork Chops, Air Fryer Chicken Legs, and Air Fryer Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Breasts for an amazing meal.
👩🏻🍳 More Delicious Side Dishes
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Creamy Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound pasta such as penne, fusilli, or rotini
- ½ cup ranch dressing
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup sour cream
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 8 slices bacon cooked and crumbled
- ¼ cup red onion finely chopped
- ⅛ cup chives chopped
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the pasta in a large pot of lightly salted water, according to the package instructions, until it is al dente. Drain the pasta and rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process.
- Next, combine ranch dressing, mayonnaise, sour cream, and garlic powder in a large bowl. Whisk until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Add the cooked pasta to the bowl with the dressing mixture. Add the cooked and crumbled bacon, chopped red onion and chives, and shredded cheddar cheese.
- Use a large spoon or spatula to gently fold the ingredients until they are well-combined. Season the pasta salad with salt and pepper to taste, if desired.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and chill the pasta salad in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour or until it is well chilled.
- Before serving, give the pasta salad a quick stir to redistribute the dressing and ingredients.
- Serve the bacon ranch pasta salad cold, and garnish with chives and crumbled bacon if you like.
- Enjoy!
Notes
- Al dente pasta: Be sure to cook the pasta until it is al dente, meaning it is cooked but still firm to the bite. Overcooking can result in mushy pasta.
- Rinse the pasta: Rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down quickly. This will help prevent the pasta from becoming sticky and clumping together.
- Crisp up the bacon: Cook until it is crispy and golden brown. Place the cooked bacon on paper towels to absorb excess grease before crumbling it.
- Let it chill: After combining the pasta, dressing, bacon, and other ingredients, refrigerate the salad for at least an hour before serving to allow the flavors to meld together.
- Experiment with additions: While this pasta salad is delicious, you can personalize it by adding other ingredients such as cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes, diced bell peppers, or sliced black olives.
- Serve it fresh: While the pasta salad can be made ahead and stored, it is best served fresh or within a day or two for optimal flavor and texture.
Nutrition
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