This Creamy Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad is the perfect side dish that is packed with crispy smoky bacon, tender pasta, and loads of fresh veggies. It’s the perfect, quick dish for potlucks, summer barbecues, or easy lunches!
You can’t go wrong bringing out a large mixing bowl full of any of my favorite pasta salad recipes. They’re so great at gatherings, everyone loves them, and they’re easy to make ahead of time. Deviled Egg Macaroni Salad and this Grinder Pasta Saladare two other hits that always get gobbled up.
Why make this Bacon Ranch Pasta Recipe
Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad is the ultimate side dish that brings bold flavor and creamy texture right to your table. You’ll love this creamy pasta salad that’s loaded with crisp bacon, tender pasta, crunchy veggies, and tossed in a tangy ranch dressing.
This salad comes together in just a few simple steps and under 30 minutes. The creamy dressing really brings this whole thing together. It’s a side dish, but could be used as a main dish, and can be tossed together ahead of time so easily.
Let’s Gather the Ingredients
- Small pasta shells: you can use any small type of pasta you prefer.
- Bacon:
- Mayonnaise: Use real mayonnaise, not Miracle Whip.
- Sour cream: Adds an extra creaminess.
- Ranch seasoning: You can use Homemade Ranch Seasoning
- Veggies: cherry tomatoes, thawed frozen peas, and sliced green onions
- Cheese:
- Crumbled croutons: optional for topping
- Step 1: Add chopped bacon to a skillet and cook until crispy. Transfer the bacon to some paper towels to drain.
- Step 2: Add mayonnaise, sour cream, and ranch to a small bowl. Whisk to combine.
- Step 3: In a separate large bowl, add cooked pasta, cooked bacon, tomatoes, peas, and cheese.
- Step 4: Dump dressing mixture over the pasta salad bowl. Stir to combine. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate to let flavors meld. Give Garnish with croutons and diced green onion before serving.
Recipe Tips
- Cook the pasta al dente, slightly firm pasta holds up better in creamy dressings and won’t become mushy too fast in this flavorful side dish.
- Store in an airtight container, and it will keep for up to 3 days. For best results, stir before serving, and add a splash of ranch or mayo if it seems dry.
- Chill before serving helps the flavors come together.
- Trade out the cheese; sharp cheddar cheese, cubed Colby Jack, or crumbled feta are all great.
- Bring some heat: You could mix in diced jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne or some red pepper flakes for an easy way to bring some heat and extra flavor.
