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Creamy Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad That Everyone Will Love

A creamy and delicious pasta salad featuring crispy bacon and tangy ranch dressing, perfect for summer gatherings.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Chilling Time 30 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 350

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta
  • 8 oz Rotini Pasta or penne/elbow macaroni
For the Salad
  • 6 slices Cooked Bacon crispy, chopped
  • 1 cup Cheddar Cheese shredded
  • 1/2 cup Green Onions sliced
  • 1 cup Frozen Peas thawed
For the Dressing
  • 1 cup Mayonnaise or Greek yogurt
  • 1/2 cup Ranch Dressing
  • 1 tbsp Dijon Mustard or regular mustard
  • 1 tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar or white vinegar
To Season
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • 1/2 tsp Pepper freshly cracked
  • 1 tsp Garlic Powder or minced garlic

Equipment

  • large pot
  • Colander
  • medium mixing bowl
  • Large salad bowl

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil over high heat. Add the rotini pasta and cook according to package instructions, typically around 8-10 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water.
  2. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together mayo, ranch dressing, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until smooth.
  3. In a large salad bowl, combine cooled pasta, bacon, cheddar cheese, green onions, and peas. Fold in the dressing until everything is well-coated.
  4. Cover and refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to blend.
  5. Before serving, gently toss to redistribute the dressing and serve cold.

Notes

This salad is perfect for gatherings or as a comforting side dish. It can be made a day in advance to enhance flavor.