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Creamy Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

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A quick and easy pasta salad featuring crispy bacon, fresh veggies, and a creamy ranch dressing, perfect for gatherings and potlucks.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces rotini or bowtie pasta
  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/2 cup ranch dressing
  • 2 tablespoons sour cream
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 6 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked crispy and chopped
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cup cucumber, diced
  • 1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced
  • 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water. Set aside to drain completely.
  2. Cook bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy, about 6-8 minutes, or bake in a 400°F oven for 15-20 minutes. Drain on paper towels and chop into bite-sized pieces.
  3. Chop cucumber, halve cherry tomatoes, dice red bell pepper, finely chop red onion if using, and chop fresh parsley.
  4. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, ranch dressing, sour cream, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper until creamy and pourable.
  5. Add cooled pasta to the dressing and toss gently to coat.
  6. Fold in chopped veggies and bacon, reserving some bacon and parsley for garnish. Toss gently to combine.
  7. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Before serving, stir gently, garnish with reserved bacon and parsley, and adjust seasoning if needed.

Notes

Rinse pasta after cooking to prevent gumminess. Cook bacon crisp but not burnt. Chill salad at least 1 hour for best flavor. Stir in extra ranch or milk if salad thickens after chilling. Use gluten-free pasta or dairy-free ranch for dietary adaptations.

Nutrition

Keywords: pasta salad, bacon, ranch dressing, creamy pasta salad, potluck recipe, summer salad, easy pasta salad

Find it online: https://norasfoods.com/creamy-bacon-ranch-pasta-salad-recipe-easy-homemade-with-crispy-bacon-and-fresh-veggies/