Creamy Ranch Pasta Salad with Bacon and Cheese Recipe
A creamy and flavorful Ranch Pasta Salad combining tender pasta, crispy bacon, shredded cheese, and classic ranch dressing. Perfect for potlucks, picnics, or a quick refreshing side dish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 3 cups cooked pasta (such as rotini or penne)
Bacon
- 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
Cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Dressing
- 1 cup ranch dressing
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Boil pasta in salted water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool.
- Prepare bacon: Cook bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy. Drain on paper towels and crumble into small pieces.
- Combine ingredients: In a large bowl, mix the cooled pasta, crumbled bacon, shredded cheddar cheese, and ranch dressing thoroughly until evenly coated.
- Chill the salad: Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to meld and salad to chill before serving.
Notes
- For a lighter version, use reduced-fat ranch dressing and less bacon.
- Add chopped green onions or celery for extra crunch and flavor.
- This salad can be made a day ahead for convenience.
- Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Keywords: ranch pasta salad, creamy pasta salad, bacon pasta salad, picnic salad, easy pasta recipe
