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Creamy Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

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A quick and easy creamy bacon ranch pasta salad perfect for summer gatherings, combining smoky bacon, tangy ranch dressing, and fresh cherry tomatoes for a crowd-pleasing side dish.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces rotini or elbow macaroni pasta
  • 8 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked crisp and chopped
  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 3/4 cup ranch dressing
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 2–3 green onions, sliced thin (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 ounces rotini or elbow macaroni and cook according to package instructions (8-10 minutes) until al dente. Drain well and rinse briefly under cold water to stop cooking and cool the pasta. Drain again thoroughly.
  2. While pasta cooks, cook 8 slices of thick-cut bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy, about 6-8 minutes. Transfer to paper towels to drain excess grease, then chop into bite-sized pieces.
  3. Halve 1 pint cherry tomatoes and slice 2-3 green onions thinly. Chop 2 tablespoons fresh parsley.
  4. In a large bowl, combine 3/4 cup ranch dressing with 1/2 cup mayonnaise. Whisk until smooth. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
  5. Add cooled pasta, chopped bacon, cherry tomatoes, green onions, and parsley to the bowl with dressing. Gently toss until pasta is evenly coated.
  6. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let flavors meld. Before serving, toss gently again and garnish with extra parsley or cracked black pepper.

Notes

Rinse pasta after cooking to prevent stickiness. Save a tablespoon of bacon fat to sauté green onions for extra flavor. Adjust salt carefully since bacon and ranch add saltiness. Chill salad for at least 30 minutes before serving. If salad seems dry after chilling, add a splash of ranch or mayonnaise.

Nutrition

Keywords: pasta salad, bacon, ranch dressing, summer side, easy recipe, picnic, barbecue, creamy pasta salad

Find it online: https://jodierecipes.com/creamy-bacon-ranch-pasta-salad-recipe-easy-5-ingredient-summer-side/