This Bacon Pasta Ranch Salad is so tasty and easy to make on a hot summer day! Perfect to bring to any BBQ, potluck or gathering you have coming up.
Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad is the perfect twist on a classic pasta salad. This recipe is a guaranteed crowd pleaser every-time, you can never go wrong with the combination of bacon and ranch!
For delicious salad recipes to enjoy this summer check out the best pasta salad recipes for more ideas!
MORE BACON RANCH RECIPES YOU MIGHT LIKE
Bacon Cheddar Ranch Dip | Slow Cooker Bacon Ranch Potatoes | Bacon Ranch Chicken Stuffed Peppers
What We Love About This Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad Recipe
- 20 Minute Prep: This recipe only takes 20 minutes to make plus some time to chill in the fridge.
- Family Friendly: Your family will love this recipe, it is perfect side dish to bring to family barbecues!
- Adaptable: You can easily make this recipe gluten-free but subbing for chickpea pasta!
Ingredient Notes for Pasta Salad Bacon Ranch Recipe
- Pasta: I used rotini shaped pasta, but you can penne, bowties, cavatappi or any other shape you’d like to use will work.
- Mayonnaise: For this recipe you will need mayonnaise, any brand will work.
- Ranch Seasoning Mix: You will need a packet of dry ranch seasoning to make a creamy ranch dressing.
- Milk: I used whole milk, but you can skim, 1% or 2% milk.
- Sour Cream: Any brand of sour cream will work, you can use low-fat or regular.
- Bacon: You want to opt for lean and crumbled bacon.
- Green Peas: I used frozen peas, just be sure to let them thaw.
- Grape Tomatoes: You will want grape tomatoes cut into halves.
- Cheese: You will want to to get a block of sharp cheddar cheese to cut into cubes for this pasta salad recipe with ranch.
Equipment Needed for this Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
- Small Bowl
- Large Bowl
- Knife
- Cutting Board
How to Make Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
These are the basic steps for making Bacon Pasta Ranch Salad. Please refer to the recipe card below for more detailed instructions and nutrition information.
STEP 1: BOIL THE PASTA
Start by boiling pasta in salted water. Drain and rinse with cold water, set aside. Chop the tomatoes and the cheddar cheese.
STEP 2: MAKE THE DRESSING
To make the pasta salad bacon ranch dressing, combine mayo, sour cream, milk, and the dry ranch packet. You can also add some extra garlic powder and onion powder.
STEP 3: MAKE THE PASTA SALAD
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, peas, bacon, tomatoes, and cheddar cheese, mix until evenly incorporated. Then add int eh dressing and mix until combined. Refrigerate for at 1 hour or longer and it is ready to be served.
Prep and Storage Tips for Pasta Salad Recipe with Ranch
HOW TO MAKE THIS RECIPE AHEAD OF TIME
Ranch Bacon Pasta Salad is perfect to make ahead of time as it just needs to be refrigerated until it is ready to be served. Just make 1-3 days prior.
HOW TO STORE THIS RECIPE
Store this just keep covered with plastic wrap or in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Many vegetables will go great will this recipe. You can add cherry tomatoes, peas, red onions, black olives, or even grilled chicken to pasta salad.
Yes, you can use chickpea in place of regular and barely notice a difference, while making a healthier swap that will add more protein.
I would not recommend freezing this recipe as in will cause the sour cream and mayo in the dressing to separate.
Yes you can add bacon to pasta, this bacon ranch pasta salad is so tasty. Salt and pepper can be added to taste or try some chopped green onion.
Expert Tips for Making This Recipe
- This Recipe Can be Doubled: This is a great recipe to along to a summer BBQ, to double this recipe just increase the ingredients proportionally.
- Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad: Add some pre-grilled chicken breasts to this recipe to make pasta salad bacon, ranch, and chicken.
- Gluten-Free: To make this recipe gluten-free, just use chickpea or gluten-free pasta.
- Greek Yogurt for Sour Cream: For a healthier swap, you can use greek yogurt in place of sour cream.
What to Serve with Bacon Pasta Ranch Salad
- Air Fryer Corn on the Cob with Herb Butter
- Grilled Steak Kabobs
- Easy Tomato Bruschetta
- Lager Bacon Burger
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Bacon Pasta Ranch Salad
Ingredients
- 12 ounces rotini pasta cooked and cooled to room temperature.
- ⅔ cup mayonnaise
- ⅔ cup sour cream
- ⅓ cup milk
- 1 package dry ranch dip mix
- 6 slices lean bacon cooked and crumbled
- 9 oz frozen green peas, thawed
- 1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, diced
Instructions
- Combine mayonnaise, sour cream, milk and dry ranch packet ingredients in a small bowl and set aside.
- Add all remaining ingredients to a large bowl and toss gently.
- Stir in dressing and mix until all ingredients are well coated.
- Refrigerate at least 1 hour to allow flavors to combine.
- Serve cold.
Expert Tips
- This Recipe Can be Doubled: This is a great recipe to along to a summer BBQ, to double this recipe just increase the ingredients proportionally.
- Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad: Add some pre-grilled chicken to this recipe to make pasta salad bacon, ranch, and chicken.
- Gluten-Free: To make this recipe gluten-free, just use chickpea or gluten-free pasta.
Estimated Nutritional Information
The nutritional information provided are estimates. To learn more about how I calculate this information go to www.itisakeeper.com/about-its-a-keeper/privacy-disclosure-policies/
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