Home > Recipes > Salads > Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad Recipe
byAshlyn Edwards on July 12, 2021 54 comments »
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4.93 from 27 ratings
This Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad is the perfect side dish for barbecues and summer get-togethers. It’s fresh, yummy, and always a crowd pleaser!
I love making this pasta salad in the summer time. When it’s warm and and you’re outside grilling, it is the perfect, side dish to pair with burgers or steaks hot off the grill.
This Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad has been a favorite of mine for the past few years.
It’s actually one of the first recipes I ever made when I started out in the kitchen. It’s easy to prepare, and every time I make it, my family gobbles it up!
Ingredients for Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
- tricolor pasta
- bacon
- Mayonnaise
- dry ranch seasoning mix
- garlic powder
- pepper
- milk
- cherry tomatoes
- shredded cheese
- cucumber
How to Make Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad – Step by Step
Step 1: Cook pasta
Cook Pasta in a large pot of salted water until al dente, making sure not to overcook. Drain well.
Step 2: Make the dressing
In a large bowl, combine mayonnaise, ranch dressing mix, garlic powder, and garlic pepper. Stir in the milk until mixture is nice and smooth.
Step 4: Add the pasta
Carefully fold the cooked pasta into the dressing mixture, and stir to coat evenly.
Step 5: Refrigerate
Refrigerate the pasta salad for at least 1-2 hours. When ready to serve, add in the chopped bacon, veggies, and cheese, and toss to coat. You can also add a splash of milk to smooth the pasta salad out as needed.
Tips and Notes
- You can add in a variety of veggies to this Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad, or leave them out altogether if you wish. I’ve made it many times, adding ingredients or not, and it always come out great. I LOVE adding chopped cucumber because it adds a pretty pop of green and a nice bit of crunch.
- Be sure to refrigerate for at least 1-2 hours before serving for best flavor!
Can you freeze pasta salad?
Due to the creamy nature of the mayo-based dressing in this pasta salad, I do not recommend freezing it after it’s been prepared. The mayonnaise will separate once it’s thawed and will not lend to the best taste or texture.
How long is pasta salad good for in the fridge?
Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. If it gets dry over time, add a little milk to fresh it up.
More Summer Salad Recipes You Might Enjoy!
- Caprese Chickpea Salad
- Greek yogurt Fruit Salad
- Cucumber Greek Salad
- Grilled Potato Salad
4.93 from 27 ratings
Recipe: Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
Yield: 10
Prep Time: 15 minutes mins
Cook Time: 10 minutes mins
Total Time: 25 minutes mins
This Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad is the perfect side dish for barbecues and summer get-togethers. It’s fresh, yummy, and always a crowd pleaser!
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Ingredients
- 1 12 oz. package uncooked tri-color pasta
- 5 slices bacon,, cooked crisp and chopped
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1 envelope dry ranch salad dressing mix
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic pepper
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes,, sliced in half
- 1 small cucumber,, chopped into 1/4 moon slices
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
Cook pasta in a large pot of salted water until al dente, making sure not to overcook. Drain well.
In a large bowl, combine mayonnaise, ranch dressing mix, garlic powder, and garlic pepper. Stir in the milk until mixture is nice and smooth.
Carefully fold the cooked pasta into the dressing mixture, and stir to coat evenly.
Refrigerate the pasta salad for at least 1-2 hours. When ready to serve, add in the chopped bacon, veggies, and cheese, and toss to coat. You can also add a splash of milk to smooth the pasta salad out as needed.
Notes
- You can add in a variety of veggies to this Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad, or leave them out altogether if you wish. I’ve made it many times, adding ingredients or not, and it always come out great. I LOVE adding chopped cucumber because it adds a pretty pop of green and a nice bit of crunch.
- Be sure to refrigerate for at least 1-2 hours before serving for best flavor!
- Can you freeze pasta salad? - due to the creamy nature of the mayo-based dressing in this pasta salad, I do not recommend freezing it after it's been prepared. The mayonnaise will separate once it's thawed and will not lend to the best taste or texture.
- How long is pasta salad good for in the fridge? -Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
Cuisine: American
Course: Side Dish
Author: Ashlyn Edwards | Belle of the Kitchen
Calories: 392kcal, Carbohydrates: 29g, Protein: 9g, Fat: 25g, Saturated Fat: 6g, Cholesterol: 29mg, Sodium: 507mg, Potassium: 202mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 240IU, Vitamin C: 4.4mg, Calcium: 110mg, Iron: 0.8mg
Did you make this recipe?Let me know! Mention @TheBelleoftheKitchen on Instagram or tag #BelleoftheKitchen.
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Salads Side Dishes Summer Vegetarian Veggies
published on Jul 12, 2021
54 comments Leave a comment »
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54 comments on “Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad Recipe”
Leave a comment »
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Jill — Reply
Delicious!! Followed recipe as written and wouldn’t change a thing. Thanks for sharing.
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Erik — Reply
So good! Classic flavors that really hit the spot for everyone.
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Beti — Reply
Such an incredible pasta dish! The flavors were amazing!!
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Juliane — Reply
This looks really good and delish!!
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Beth — Reply
This is one delicious pasta salad. I love how you took a traditional side and made it so zippy with the bacon and the ranch.
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Erin | Dinners, Dishes and Dessert — Reply
Such an amazing side dish! Can’t wait to make this!
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Amanda — Reply
Perfect side dish to go along with a meal or for parties. This is so good!
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Sandra — Reply
Love this pasta salad! So tasty and very easy to make! Perfect lunch on busy weekdays!
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Nadalie Bardo — Reply
YUM! This pasta salad looks sooo good. Not a side, but a full-on meal. Hello tomorrow’s lunch.
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Leslie — Reply
I don’t think there could be a better pasta salad flavor combination! You just cannot go wrong with bacon and ranch!!
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Mimi — Reply
I love this dish, it’s perfect for my picnic tomorrow!
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Marta — Reply
This looks like it will go well with so many things. We’ll be trying it soon!
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Rose Ann Sales — Reply
That looks so festive! And oh so easy to make.
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rachel — Reply
This pasta salad sounds like an absolute DREAM.
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Amber S Battishill — Reply
Mmmm, this looks so perfect for summer BBQ’s! Saving to try later!
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Jen @ JENRON DESIGNS — Reply
You have all of my favorites especially the Hidden Valley Ranch, I love that stuff! I am like Melissa McCarthy from SNL when it come to HVR…LOL!
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Mimi — Reply
Such a yummy lunch idea! I’m dying to give it a go
