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Creamy Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

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This Creamy Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad is a crowd-pleasing, easy-to-make dish packed with smoky bacon, tangy ranch, tender pasta, and crisp veggies. Perfect for potlucks, BBQs, or weekday lunches, it comes together in under 30 minutes and stays delicious even after hours on the picnic table.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces rotini, fusilli, or bow tie pasta
  • 8 slices bacon (about 200g), cooked crisp and crumbled
  • 1 cup ranch dressing (homemade or store-bought)
  • 1/2 cup sour cream (full-fat or light)
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 medium cucumber, diced
  • 1/3 cup red onion, finely diced
  • 1 cup frozen peas, thawed
  • 2 tablespoons fresh dill or parsley, chopped (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package instructions until just al dente (8-10 minutes). Drain and rinse under cold water. Shake off excess water.
  2. While pasta cooks, lay out bacon slices in a cold skillet. Turn heat to medium and cook, flipping occasionally, until crisp (8-10 minutes). Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate, then crumble or chop.
  3. Prep the veggies: halve cherry tomatoes, dice cucumber, finely chop red onion, and chop fresh herbs if using. Thaw peas under warm water and drain.
  4. In a small bowl, whisk together ranch dressing, sour cream, garlic powder, and black pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
  5. In a large mixing bowl, combine cooled pasta, veggies, peas, shredded cheddar, and half the bacon. Pour dressing over the top and gently toss until well coated.
  6. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (up to 24 hours) to let flavors meld. Just before serving, sprinkle with remaining bacon and fresh herbs.
  7. Taste and adjust salt and pepper if needed. If salad seems dry after chilling, add a splash more ranch or a spoonful of sour cream and toss again.

Notes

For best results, chill the salad before serving and add bacon just before serving to keep it crisp. Swap in gluten-free or dairy-free ingredients as needed. If making ahead, keep bacon separate until serving. Add extra ranch or a splash of milk if salad dries out. Customize with your favorite veggies or cheese.

Nutrition

Keywords: pasta salad, bacon ranch pasta salad, creamy pasta salad, potluck salad, summer salad, picnic, easy side dish, ranch dressing, bacon, cheddar, crowd pleaser

Find it online: https://bitematrix.com/creamy-bacon-ranch-pasta-salad-recipe-for-easy-potlucks/