Ranch Pasta Salad with Bacon

Creamy, savory, and loaded with vibrant flavors, this Ranch Pasta Salad with Bacon is the ultimate crowd-pleasing side dish for any occasion. Tender pasta is tossed with crisp crumbled bacon, juicy cherry tomatoes, refreshing cucumber, tangy red onion, and a generous sprinkle of shredded cheddar cheese for a medley of delightful textures. The star of the dish is the rich and zesty dressing, a perfect blend of creamy ranch and mayonnaise, with a hint of seasoning for a balanced kick. This easy-to-make pasta salad comes together in just 30 minutes, making it ideal for potlucks, barbecues, or weeknight dinners. Chill it to perfection and top with fresh parsley for a gourmet finish—your summer table just found its new star! Keywords: Ranch Pasta Salad, Bacon Pasta Salad, Summer Side Dish, Easy Pasta Salad Recipe.

Nutriscore Rating: 62/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 12 oz Pasta (rotini or penne)
• 6 slices Bacon
• 1.5 cups Cherry tomatoes
• 1 medium Cucumber (diced)
• 0.5 small Red onion (finely chopped)
• 1 cup Shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup Ranch dressing
• 0.5 cup Mayonnaise
• 2 tbsp Parsley (chopped, optional for garnish)
• 0.5 tsp Salt
• 0.25 tsp Black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain, rinse with cold water, and set aside.

Step 2

In a large skillet, cook the bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove from the pan, drain on paper towels, and crumble once cooled.

Step 3

While the pasta and bacon cook, prepare the vegetables. Halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the cucumber, and finely chop the red onion.

Step 4

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and shredded cheddar cheese.

Step 5

In a separate small bowl, whisk together the ranch dressing and mayonnaise. Add the salt and black pepper, adjusting to taste.

Step 6

Pour the dressing over the pasta and vegetable mixture. Stir until evenly coated.

Step 7

Add the crumbled bacon and gently stir to combine.

Step 8

Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld together.

Step 9

Before serving, garnish with freshly chopped parsley if desired. Serve chilled and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1276.5 grams (1276.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2726

Total Fat 214.30g	275%
Saturated Fat 44.80g	224%
Polyunsaturated Fat NaNg
Cholesterol 318mg	106%
Sodium 4124mg	179%
Total Carbohydrate 160.30g	58%
Dietary Fiber 10.60g	38%
Total Sugars 22.50g
Protein 59.80g	120%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 1063mg	82%
Iron 4mg	24%
Potassium 1038mg	22%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 68.7%

Protein: 8.5%

Carbs: 22.8%