Creamy homemade ranch dressing coats every bite of pasta and vegetables in this Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad. Sprinkled throughout with bacon and cheddar cheese, you're sure to love it!
Prep Time10 minutesmins
Cook Time10 minutesmins
Total Time20 minutesmins
Course: Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Servings: 6servings
Calories: 541kcal
Ingredients
Salad Ingredients
8ouncespasta shells
8ouncesfrozen peasthawed, about 1 1/2 cups
6ouncesgrape tomatoesabout 1 cup, halved
4ouncescheddar or Colby jack cheeseabout 3/4 cup shredded
1/2poundbacon cooked and crumbled
Optional: chopped avocadofor topping
Dressing Ingredients
1/2cupmayonnaise
2tablespoonsmilk
1/2teaspoondried dill
1/4teaspoondried parsley
1/4teaspoondried chives
1/4teaspoongarlic powder
1/8teaspoononion powder
1/8teaspoonkosher salt
1/8teaspoonfreshly ground black pepper
1-2teaspoonsfresh lemon juice
Instructions
Cook the pasta according to the directions on the package, adding a generous tablespoon or so of kosher salt to the water as it cooks. When the pasta is tender, rinse well with cold water. While the pasta is cooking, rinse the peas to thaw them.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, milk, dill, parsley, chives, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Add the lemon juice, taste, and add more lemon if desired.
Add the peas, cooked pasta, tomatoes, cheese, and bacon to the mixing bowl with the dressing. Stir gently to coat all the ingredients. Taste and adjust seasonings as desired.
Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. Stir again just before serving. Enjoy!
Notes
This recipe multiplies nicely for a crowd. 1/2 cup of store-bought ranch dressing or homemade ranch dip can be substituted for the dressing listed in this recipe. If you're using this homemade ranch dip, you'll want to thin it with 1-2 tablespoons of milk, just enough to make it thick and pourable.If you are making this salad with gluten free pasta, you'll want to make it right before serving it. Gluten free pasta noodles tend to get harder than we like after spending much time in the refrigerator.