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Creamy Loaded Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

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A creamy, smoky, and tangy pasta salad featuring rotini pasta, crispy bacon, ranch dressing, and fresh veggies. Perfect as a crowd-pleasing BBQ side dish.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 oz (340 g) rotini pasta
  • 8 slices bacon, crispy and chopped
  • 3/4 cup (180 ml) ranch dressing
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) sour cream
  • 1 cup (120 g) shredded cheddar cheese
  • 3–4 green onions, thinly sliced
  • 1 cup (150 g) cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 stalk celery, finely chopped
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Optional: 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 oz (340 g) rotini pasta and cook according to package directions (usually 8-10 minutes) until al dente. Drain in a colander and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking and cool the pasta. Set aside to drain thoroughly (about 10 minutes).
  2. While the pasta cooks, heat a skillet over medium heat. Add 8 slices of bacon and cook until crispy, about 6-8 minutes, flipping occasionally. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain and cool. Once cool, chop into bite-sized pieces.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, combine 3/4 cup (180 ml) ranch dressing, 1/2 cup (120 ml) mayonnaise, and 1/4 cup (60 ml) sour cream. Whisk until smooth and creamy. Taste and season with salt and pepper if needed. If too thick, add a splash of milk to loosen.
  4. Thinly slice 3-4 green onions, halve 1 cup (150 g) cherry tomatoes, and finely chop 1 celery stalk. Add all to the bowl with the dressing.
  5. Add the cooled pasta and chopped bacon to the bowl. Toss gently to coat everything evenly in the creamy dressing. Stir in 1 cup (120 g) shredded cheddar cheese.
  6. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to let flavors meld. Just before serving, sprinkle with fresh parsley if using. Give it a final gentle toss, then serve.

Notes

Rinse pasta under cold water after cooking to prevent sogginess. Cook bacon on medium heat for best crispiness. Chill salad for at least 1 hour before serving. Stir in extra ranch or milk if salad feels dry after chilling. Leftovers taste better the next day but should be consumed within 3 days. Not recommended to freeze.

Nutrition

Keywords: pasta salad, bacon ranch pasta salad, creamy pasta salad, BBQ side dish, potluck recipe, easy pasta salad

Find it online: https://gleefulfork.com/creamy-loaded-bacon-ranch-pasta-salad-recipe-easy-perfect-bbq-side/