Description
This Bacon Cheddar Ranch Pasta Salad is a creamy, savory side dish perfect for picnics, barbecues, or family dinners. Featuring rotini pasta tossed in a flavorful ranch dressing combined with sharp cheddar cheese, crispy bacon, and fresh vegetables, this salad offers a delightful balance of textures and flavors. It’s easy to make ahead and chilled to allow the ingredients to meld beautifully.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Dressing
- 12 oz rotini pasta
- 1 cup ranch dressing
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon dry ranch seasoning mix
Add-ins
- 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup cooked and crumbled bacon
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup red onion, finely diced
- 1/2 cup chopped green onions
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rotini pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse the pasta under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down.
- Mix Dressing: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the ranch dressing, mayonnaise, and dry ranch seasoning mix until smooth and well combined, creating a creamy ranch dressing base.
- Combine Ingredients: Add the cooled pasta, shredded sharp cheddar cheese, crumbled bacon, halved cherry tomatoes, finely diced red onion, and chopped green onions to the bowl with the dressing. Gently toss all the ingredients together ensuring the pasta is evenly coated in the ranch dressing.
- Season and Chill: Taste the salad and season with salt and black pepper as desired. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to let the flavors meld together and the salad chill completely before serving.
Notes
- You can substitute Greek yogurt for the mayonnaise to make a lighter version of the salad.
- Add diced cucumber or chopped broccoli for additional crunch and freshness.
