Description
Bacon ranch pasta salad is a deliciously creamy and crunchy dish that combines perfectly cooked pasta, crispy bacon, and fresh vegetables all coated in rich ranch dressing. It’s the ideal side for barbecues, potlucks, or any gathering, guaranteed to bring smiles to everyone at the table. In just under 30 minutes, you can whip up this crowd-pleaser that balances flavor and texture beautifully.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz rotini or penne pasta
- 6 slices bacon, cooked until crispy
- 1 cup ranch dressing
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- 1/2 cup red onion, finely chopped
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water.
- While the pasta cooks, fry the bacon until crispy. Let it cool and chop into bite-sized pieces.
- Dice the cherry tomatoes and cucumber; finely chop the red onion.
- In a large bowl, combine cooled pasta, bacon bits, tomatoes, cucumber, and onion.
- Drizzle with ranch dressing and mix until well-coated.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: For added nutrition, consider using whole wheat or gluten-free pasta. Feel free to customize by adding grilled chicken or avocado for extra flavor. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days.