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Creamy Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

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A quick and easy pasta salad featuring crispy bacon, tangy ranch dressing mixed with sour cream, and fresh veggies tossed with rotini pasta. Perfect for summer BBQs, picnics, or a no-fuss dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 oz rotini or spiral pasta
  • 8 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked crispy and chopped
  • 3/4 cup store-bought ranch dressing
  • 1/4 cup sour cream
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 medium cucumber, diced (seeded if preferred)
  • 1/2 cup shredded carrot
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped red bell pepper
  • 1/3 cup chopped green onions
  • 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese (optional)
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • Freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or dill

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 oz rotini and cook according to package instructions (8-10 minutes) until al dente. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Drain pasta in a colander and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool it down. Set aside to drain well.
  2. While pasta cooks, heat a skillet over medium heat. Add 8 slices thick-cut bacon and cook until crispy and browned (about 8-10 minutes), turning occasionally. Transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess fat. Once cool, chop into bite-sized pieces.
  3. Dice 1 cucumber (seeded if preferred), halve 1 cup cherry tomatoes, finely chop 1/2 cup red bell pepper, shred 1/2 cup carrot, and slice 1/3 cup green onions. Chop fresh herbs (parsley or dill).
  4. In a small bowl, whisk together 3/4 cup ranch dressing and 1/4 cup sour cream until smooth. Add 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, and fresh black pepper to taste.
  5. In a large mixing bowl, combine drained pasta, cooked bacon, fresh veggies, shredded cheddar cheese (if using), and chopped herbs. Pour the dressing mixture over and gently toss until all ingredients are evenly coated. Taste and adjust seasoning with more pepper if needed. Chill the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Notes

For a lighter option, swap sour cream for Greek yogurt. Use gluten-free pasta for gluten-free diets. For dairy-free, use dairy-free ranch dressing and omit cheddar cheese. Chill salad at least 30 minutes for best flavor. Save bacon fat for other cooking uses. Dry veggies well to avoid watery salad. Toss gently to avoid breaking pasta.

Nutrition

Keywords: pasta salad, bacon, ranch dressing, creamy pasta salad, summer salad, picnic recipe, BBQ side dish

Find it online: https://elaraeats.com/creamy-bacon-ranch-pasta-salad-recipe-easy-5-step-guide-for-fresh-veggies/