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Creamy ranch bacon pasta salad in a large white bowl with rotini pasta, crispy bacon, cheddar cheese cubes, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, and red onion tossed in creamy dressing, with a spoon lifting a serving over a rustic wooden table.
Jana Rae

Creamy Ranch Bacon Pasta Salad

Creamy Ranch Bacon Pasta Salad is an easy cold pasta salad recipe loaded with crispy bacon, cheddar cheese, vegetables, and creamy ranch dressing. Perfect for Memorial Day cookouts, BBQs, picnics, and summer gatherings.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Chill time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 10
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 390
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound rotini pasta
  • 12 slices bacon cooked and crumbled
  • 2 cups cheddar cheese cubes
  • 1 cucumber diced
  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes halved
  • 1/2 red onion finely diced
For the Creamy Ranch Dressing:
  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1 packet ranch seasoning mix
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2-4 tablespoons milk
Optional:
  • 1 cup broccoli florets
  • 1/2 cup frozen peas
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Method
 

  1. Cook rotini pasta according to package directions until tender.
  2. Drain pasta and rinse under cold water until cooled completely.
  3. Allow pasta to drain well.
  4. Cook bacon until crispy. Place onto paper towels and crumble once cooled.
  5. In a large mixing bowl combine cooled pasta, bacon, cheddar cheese, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, and red onion.
  6. In a separate bowl whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, ranch seasoning mix, garlic powder, black pepper, and milk until smooth and creamy.
  7. Pour dressing over pasta mixture.
  8. Stir gently until evenly coated.
  9. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.
  10. Stir before serving and garnish with parsley if desired.

Notes

Rinsing the pasta with cold water stops the cooking process and keeps the salad cold and refreshing.
 
Add extra milk if the pasta salad thickens too much after refrigeration.
 
For best flavor, prepare several hours ahead of serving.
 
Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
 
This pasta salad tastes even better the next day after the flavors blend together.