Creamy Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
Creamy Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad is loaded with fresh and crunchy salad ingredients, crispy bacon, tender pasta, and an out-of-this-world dressing!
While this bacon ranch pasta salad is well known as a delicious side dish option to grilled meats and other mains, it’s well worth indulging and enjoying it as a meal in its own right!
Get ready for warmer weather and backyard grilling with family and friends with this bacon ranch pasta salad as a lovely addition to the table.
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RECIPE TIPS
- If you are finding that the salad is a little too dry for your liking, add in some extra dressing. Remember, stored pasta is likely to absorb a lot of dressing so you would do well in this instance to add in extra just prior to serving again.
- You can easily make the dressing in advance as a way to save some time making this pasta salad. When the time comes to serve the salad, pour the dressing over the salad, and mix it up.
- After boiling the pasta, rinse it under cold water to cool it down. You may also want to drizzle a small amount of olive oil over the pasta and toss it so that it doesn’t stick.
- If you are serving this pasta salad on a hot summer’s day, you can rest the bowl in a larger bowl filled with ice inside! It’s a clever trick to keep your salad cool in hot weather conditions.
How to Make Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
- Cook the pasta according to package recommendations. Drain well.
- Make the dressing by whisking together all of the ingredients.
- Toss together all of the salad ingredients until completely blended. Add the dressing and toss to combine.
- Refrigerate for at least two hours or until ready to serve.
CAN I MAKE THIS VEGETARIAN?
- Yes, you can! The magic thing about this pasta salad is that you can pretty much chop and change anything for it to suit you and your family. Want a vegetarian version? Just add in some chickpeas and omit the bacon.
WHAT VARIATIONS CAN I MAKE TO BACON RANCH PASTA SALAD?
- For a vegetarian ranch pasta salad, omit the bacon and add in some plant-based protein such as chickpeas.
- For a meatier bacon ranch pasta, add in some shredded chicken or pulled pork.
- For a kick of heat, consider including some sliced jalapenos, red chili flakes, or a sprinkle of cayenne pepper.
- Use a different pasta like macaroni or whatever else you may have on hand. Short tubular pasta usually works best where the dressing can work its way into.
- While cheddar cheese is amazing in this pasta salad, you can certainly use something else such as mozzarella, gouda, or whatever else you enjoy.
HOW SHOULD I STORE BACON RANCH PASTA SALAD?
- This bacon ranch pasta salad is delicious when served freshly made, especially when the salad ingredients are crispy or crunchy still. If you have any leftovers, simply add this pasta salad to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- I don’t suggest freezing this pasta salad since it contains ingredients such as tomatoes which will become mushy once thawed.
Other Irresistible Pasta Salads
Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
Creamy Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad is loaded with fresh and crunchy salad ingredients, crispy bacon, tender pasta, and an out-of-this-world dressing!
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Ingredients
- 2 cups dry garden rotini pasta
- 1 oz bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1 cup grape tomatoes halved
- 1 cup frozen peas and carrots thawed
- 3.8 oz can sliced black olives, drained
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
For the dressing
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup sour cream
- 3 tbsp ranch dressing seasoning mix about 1 packet of dry mix
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 to 3 tablespoons milk
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to package recommendations. Drain well.
- Make the dressing by whisking together all of the ingredients.
- Toss together all of the salad ingredients until completely blended. Add the dressing and toss to combine.
- Refrigerate for at least two hours or until ready to serve.
Nutrition
Calories: 413kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 29g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 9g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 0.04g | Cholesterol: 43mg | Sodium: 1188mg | Potassium: 253mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 2148IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 185mg | Iron: 1mg
Nutritional Disclaimer: Family Fresh Meals is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.
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