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Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad – Creamy Easy Summer Pasta Salad Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 72 reviews
  • Author: anna
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x

Description

Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad is a creamy, flavorful dish made with tender rotini pasta, savory turkey bacon, and a rich ranch dressing. This easy cold pasta salad is perfect for summer picnics, potlucks, and quick family meals, combining cheesy, tangy, and smoky flavors for a crowd-pleasing side dish.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 3 cups (300g) cooked pasta (rotini or similar)
  • 1 cup (230g) mayonnaise
  • 1 packet ranch seasoning mix
  • 1 cup (150g) cooked turkey bacon, chopped
  • 1 cup (120g) shredded cheddar cheese
  • ½ cup (75g) cherry tomatoes, halved
  • ½ cup (75g) green onions, sliced
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Optional Add-ins:

  • Sweet corn
  • Diced bell peppers
  • Cucumbers

Instructions

  1. Cook the Pasta: Boil pasta according to package instructions until tender. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool the pasta completely and stop cooking, ensuring it does not become mushy.
  2. Prepare Dressing: In a large bowl, mix mayonnaise and ranch seasoning mix until smooth and well combined, creating the creamy base for the salad.
  3. Combine Ingredients: Add the cooled pasta, chopped turkey bacon, shredded cheddar cheese, halved cherry tomatoes, and sliced green onions to the bowl with the dressing.
  4. Mix: Stir gently but thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly coated with the ranch dressing, distributing flavors uniformly.
  5. Chill: Cover and refrigerate the pasta salad for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the texture to improve.
  6. Serve: Stir the salad again before serving and enjoy chilled as a delicious side dish.

Notes

  • Cool pasta first to prevent the dressing from becoming oily and to maintain salad texture.
  • Do not overdress the salad; too much dressing can make it heavy and overpower the flavors.
  • Chilling before serving enhances both flavor and texture, allowing ingredients to meld.
  • Customize the salad by adding other vegetables or proteins like sweet corn, diced bell peppers, or cucumbers for variety.
  • Store leftovers refrigerated for up to 3 days; stir before serving again to redistribute dressing.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Side Dish
  • Method: Boiling
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: bacon ranch pasta salad, creamy pasta salad, summer pasta salad, turkey bacon pasta, easy picnic salad, ranch dressing pasta salad

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Find it online: https://recipiana.com/bacon-ranch-pasta-salad-creamy-easy-summer-pasta-salad-recipe/