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Creamy Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

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This creamy bacon ranch pasta salad is a quick, crowd-pleasing cold dish packed with crispy bacon, tangy ranch dressing, and fresh veggies. Perfect for potlucks, picnics, or family gatherings, it comes together in under 30 minutes and tastes even better the next day.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 oz rotini or bowtie pasta
  • 8 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked until crisp and crumbled
  • 1 cup ranch dressing
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1/2 cup red onion, finely diced (optional)
  • 1/2 cup celery, chopped
  • 1/2 cup frozen peas, thawed
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • Salt & pepper to taste (start with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente, about 8–10 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water.
  2. While pasta cooks, lay bacon slices on a cold skillet. Cook over medium heat, flipping occasionally, until crisp (about 8–10 minutes). Transfer to paper towels to drain and cool, then crumble.
  3. Dice red onion and celery, halve cherry tomatoes, and thaw frozen peas.
  4. In a medium bowl, whisk together ranch dressing, sour cream, and mayonnaise. Season with salt and pepper.
  5. In a large bowl, toss cooled pasta with dressing until evenly coated. Add crumbled bacon, chopped veggies, shredded cheddar cheese, and parsley. Mix gently.
  6. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. For extra zing, add lemon juice or hot sauce if desired.
  7. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (up to overnight) to let flavors meld. If salad thickens too much, stir in a tablespoon of milk before serving.
  8. Transfer to a serving bowl, garnish with extra parsley or cheese, and serve cold.

Notes

Mix dressing with slightly warm pasta for best absorption. For gluten-free, use GF pasta; for vegetarian, omit bacon and add roasted chickpeas or mushrooms. Salad keeps for up to 3 days in the fridge. If dry after chilling, stir in a splash of milk or extra ranch. Shred cheese yourself for best texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: pasta salad, bacon ranch, potluck, cold salad, easy recipe, picnic, creamy salad, summer side dish

Find it online: https://tomyumy.com/creamy-bacon-ranch-pasta-salad-recipe-easy-cold-potluck-favorite/