Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad is a super easy side dish that everyone loves. Based off of the classic Suddenly Salad that my kids go crazy for, the homemade version is even better!
I love make ahead side dishes like three bean salad or cucumber onion salad for busy weeknights and weekend cookouts. This easy pasta salad is always a good one to go with grilled burgers, chicken or pork chops.
Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad ~ Easy Side Dish
Quick and easy is what I’m looking for in a side dish. If you would like to make a homemade pasta salad that everyone is going to love, this bacon ranch pasta salad does the trick.
Ingredients Needed:
- Small Shells Pasta ~ Macaroni works too.
- Bacon ~ Cooked and crumbled.
- Green Onions ~ Sliced, both green and white parts.
- Carrot ~ Shredded or julienned adds bright and fresh flavor.
- Tomato ~ Roma or cherry tomatoes work great in pasta salad, diced.
- Shredded Cheese ~ I used sharp cheddar, use your favorite.
For the Dressing:
- Mayonnaise ~ not Miracle Whip, use your favorite brand.
- Sour Cream ~ Lightens the mayo flavor and makes the dressing extra creamy.
- Milk ~ Adds a good consistency to the dressing.
- Ranch Seasoning Mix ~ I use Hidden Valley Mix. I use it so often I buy it in the large containers.
- Onion Powder, Kosher Salt, Black Pepper ~ Adds additional flavor to the dressing.
How to Make Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad:
- Boil pasta according to package direction, do not over cook. Mushy pasta doesn’t make for good pasta salad.
- Drain in a colander. Rinse under cold water until cooled.
- Drain well.
- In the serving bowl, add mayo, sour cream, milk, ranch dressing mix, onion powder, salt and pepper.
- Mix with a whisk until well combined.
- Add cooled and drained pasta to the bowl.
- Top with bacon, green onions, carrots, tomatoes and cheese. Reserve a bit of each for garnish if desired.
- Stir until well combined.
- Garnish with remaining toppings if desired.
- Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate until serving or overnight.
How to Store:
Pasta salad should be covered and refrigerated. It is best in the first two days but it doesn’t usually last that long.
More Easy Pasta Salads:
The Best Macaroni Salad is my go-to for summer cookouts and just about every family holiday dinner. It has a sweet and tangy dressing and loads of crunchy vegetables.
Tomato Mozzarella Pasta Salad is quick, easy and delicious. Made with a homemade Italian dressing, cherry tomatoes and mozzarella balls.
Easy Pasta Salad is filled with plenty of summer fresh veggies and a quick creamy herb dressing.
Sesame Pasta Salad is a quick and easy side for any meal with a simple Asian dressing that will have you coming back for more.
You might also like this Bacon Ranch Potato Salad, it’s made with bottle ranch dressing and is super easy to make for cookouts and barbecues.
Serve this Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad with Fried Chicken Strips, Air Fryer Cheesesteak Rolls or as a quick lunch. It’s one of those easy recipes that you will want to make again and again.
For a quick and easy homemade side salad, give this Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad a try. It goes with just about every meal and it’s so simple to put together in under 20 minutes.
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Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 3 cups small shells pasta or macaroni
- 4 slices bacon cooked and crumbled
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1/3 cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 3 tablespoons or 1 packet of Ranch Dressing Mix
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 3 green onions sliced
- 1/4 cup shredded or julienned carrots
- 1 tomato diced
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions and drain.
- Rinse under cold water until pasta is cooled. Drain well.
- In a serving bowl, mix up the dressing by combining mayonnaise, sour cream, milk, ranch dressing mix, onion powder, salt and pepper.
- Add pasta to the bowl.
- Next add bacon, green onions, carrots, tomato and cheese, reserving a bit of each for garnishing if desired.
- Mix well.
- Garnish with remaining toppings if desired.
- Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Notes
Nutrition
