Creamy Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

Craving a crowd-pleasing dish for summer BBQs? Try my Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad! Tender pasta, crispy bacon, and fresh veggies are tossed in a creamy ranch dressing for a flavor-packed, delicious pasta salad. Perfect for potlucks or a weekday treat, this easy pasta salad recipe will be your new favorite.

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Course: Side Dish, Sides

Cuisine: American

Keyword: pasta salad, summer salad

Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 20

Total Time: 30

Servings:

Calories: 494kcal

Author: Jennifer Locklin

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Ingredients

Pasta Salad:

1 pound Rigatoni Pasta or other short pasta shapes such as shells, rotini, or bow ties
8 ounces bacon browned and crumbled
4 ounces sharp cheddar cheese shredded
1 red bell pepper finely diced
1 orange bell pepper finely diced
2 sticks celery finely diced
4 green onions finely sliced
1 clove garlic minced

Dressing:

1 ½ cups Hellmann's mayonnaise
1 ½ cups whole milk
6 tablespoons dry ranch seasoning mix

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Instructions

Cook the Pasta:

Follow the package instructions to cook the pasta.
Drain the pasta and rinse it under cold water to cool it down.
Drain thoroughly again to remove any excess water.

Prepare the Salad:

In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta with crumbled bacon, shredded cheddar cheese, diced red and orange bell peppers, diced celery, sliced green onions, and minced garlic.

Make the Dressing:

In a separate bowl, mix together mayonnaise, whole milk, and dry ranch seasoning until well combined.

Combine and Chill:

Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture and stir until everything is evenly coated.
Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least two hours, or ideally overnight for the best flavor.

Final Touches:

Before serving, give the salad a good stir.
Check the consistency and add more dressing if needed to ensure it's creamy and well-coated.

Notes

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Nutrition

*Nutrition information is automatically calculated based on ingredient data and should be considered an estimate. When multiple ingredient options are provided, the first listed is used for calculation. Optional ingredients and garnishes are not included in the nutrition analysis.