Creamy Ranch Pasta Salad with Bacon
Dig into the ultimate comfort side with this Creamy Ranch Pasta Salad with Bacon a rich, flavorful dish that’s perfect for potlucks, BBQs, or easy weeknight meals. Tender pasta is tossed in a creamy ranch dressing, loaded with crispy bacon, fresh veggies, and bursts of savory goodness in every bite.
Ingredients
- For the Pasta Salad
- 12 oz rotini or penne pasta
- 6 slices of bacon
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- ½ red onion, finely diced
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
- For the Dressing
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons dried dill
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Optional: 2 tablespoons buttermilk for thinner consistency
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water.
- Cook bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crisp. Drain on paper towels and crumble.
- In a large bowl, combine mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice, dill, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well. Add buttermilk if a thinner dressing is desired.
- Add cooked pasta, cherry tomatoes, bell pepper, red onion, and shredded cheeses to the dressing. Toss until evenly coated.
- Gently fold in crumbled bacon and parsley.
- Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving.