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This bacon ranch pasta salad is creamy, savory, and loaded with crispy bacon, sharp cheddar, and fresh veggies. It’s the ultimate crowd-pleasing side dish for potlucks, BBQs, and easy weeknight meals!
Pasta salads are always a hit at parties! Try my Summer Pasta Salad or this Easy Pasta Salad Recipe for two more reader favorites.
Why you’ll love this pasta salad with bacon ranch dressing!
Creamy pasta salad is a classic recipe versatile enough to go from weekday lunch to weekend get-together, and it’s always delicious. But that doesn’t mean you can’t make it even better by adding ranch, bacon, and cheese! Even if you’re not a fan of the traditional pasta salad or even tortellini pasta salad, you’ll flip over this bacon ranch pasta salad.
This unique recipe combines the savory flavors of bacon, cheese, and ranch dressing with hearty pasta. The combination of ingredients creates a dish that is absolutely crave-worthy, and a favorite of bacon lovers everywhere! Serve it as a summer cookout side dish and everyone will ask you for the recipe.
- Loaded with Flavor: Smoky bacon, creamy ranch, and sharp cheddar create the perfect bite.
- Perfect for Gatherings: This pasta salad always disappears fast at parties and cookouts.
- Easy to Make Ahead: Prep it in advance and let the flavors develop in the fridge.
- Customizable: Swap ingredients to suit your taste or what you have on hand.
Table of Contents
Ingredient Notes
See recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.
- Rotini pasta – Shells, bowties, cavatappi, or even elbow noodles (like in my Macaroni Salad) can be used instead.
- Mayonnaise and sour cream – Creates a rich, creamy base.
- Ranch dressing seasoning mix – Buy a packet or use homemade ranch seasoning.
- Seasonings – Garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Whole milk – Helps thin the dressing to the perfect consistency.
- Bacon – You’ll need to cook and chop the bacon, but if you’re in a time-crunch, you can use store-bought bacon bits or crumbles.
- Red onion – Adds a sharp bite and crunch.
- Tomato – Alternatively, you can buy grape or cherry tomatoes and halve of quarter them.
- Sliced black olives – Not a fan of olives? You can add green peas instead!
- Sharp cheddar cheese – Provides bold, cheesy flavor.
Variations
- Add Chicken: Stir in rotisserie chicken to turn this into a full meal.
- Swap the Veggies: Use peas, cucumbers, or bell peppers instead of olives.
- Spicy Version: Add diced jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne.
- Different Cheese: Try pepper jack or Colby Jack for a new twist.
How to Make Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta until al dente, then drain and rinse under cold water.
- Make the dressing: In a large bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, ranch seasoning, garlic powder, and milk until smooth.
- Combine everything: Add the pasta, bacon, onion, tomatoes, olives, and cheese to the bowl. Toss until evenly coated.
- Chill the salad: Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving to allow the flavors to blend.
How to Store
- To Store: Keep this bacon ranch pasta salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- To Refresh: Stir in a little milk, mayo, or sour cream if the salad dries out.
Frequently Asked Questions
Toss the pasta with a small amount of oil after rinsing, or refresh the salad with extra dressing before serving.
Look for changes in smell, texture, or appearance. If it smells sour or shows signs of mold, discard it.
No, mayo-based salads, including this bacon ranch pasta salad, do not freeze well because the dressing has a tendency to separate, resulting in an unappetizing dish.
Yes! It actually tastes better after chilling for a few hours.
This pasta salad with bacon ranch dressing pairs perfectly with grilled meats like burgers, chicken, or ribs. It also works well alongside sandwiches, hot dogs, or as part of a potluck spread.
More Pasta Salad Recipes You’ll Love
Pasta
Bow Tie Pasta Salad
Soups and Salads
Dill Pickle Pasta Salad
Side Dishes
Macaroni Salad
Side Dishes
Deviled Egg Pasta Salad
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Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 1 12 oz box of rotini pasta
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 1 oz packet of ranch dressing seasoning mix
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ cup whole milk
- 10 slices bacon cooked and chopped
- 1 medium red onion diced
- 1 large tomato diced
- 1 4oz can sliced black olives
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese grated
- salt & black pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the pasta until al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain and run under cold water. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, add the mayonnaise, sour cream, ranch seasoning, garlic powder, and milk and whisk to combine.
- Add remaining ingredients and gently stir to combine. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.
