Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad: An Easy Potluck Favorite
Inside: Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad is one of those classic side dishes people never seem to get tired of. With bacon, cheddar cheese, tomatoes, olives, and a creamy ranch dressing, it’s an easy make-ahead recipe for potlucks, cookouts, and family gatherings.
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Why do I keep trying to reinvent the wheel when all everybody really wants is bacon and ranch?
Whenever I need to bring a side dish somewhere, my first instinct is that I need to make something “special”. Then I remember that most people aren’t standing around hoping someone shows up with an exciting new pasta salad recipe. All they want is something familiar and something that tastes good.
That’s why recipes like this Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad have been a staple at cookouts, potlucks, family reunions, and church gatherings for all these years. It has all the things people love—bacon, cheddar cheese, ranch dressing, and pasta—and it’s easy to make ahead when you’re short on time.
It’s not trendy and actually, that might be part of its charm. It’s simply a reliable side dish recipe that always seems to please a lot of people.
When Someone Says, “Bring a Side Dish“.
This Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad checks a lot of boxes for me. I can make it ahead, it travels well, and I never have to wonder whether people will eat it. Most of the ingredients are things I already keep on hand, and it goes with just about anything you’d serve at a cookout or casual gathering.
Ingredients You’ll Need.
For the Pasta Salad:
- 12 ounces tri-color rotini pasta
- 12 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 pint grape tomatoes, halved
- 1 (2.25-ounce) can sliced black olives, drained
- 3 green onions, thinly sliced
For the Dressing:
- 1 cup ranch dressing
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 1 (1-ounce) packet ranch seasoning mix
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
SH&H Tip: Save a little bacon, cheese, tomato, and green onion to sprinkle on top before serving. It makes the salad look extra fresh and colorful.
How to Make Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad.
Cook the Pasta.
Cook the rotini according to the package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool the pasta quickly.
I used my silicone clip-on pasta strainer here. I can easily throw it in the dishwasher and it doesn’t take up much space, which is always a plus.
Cook and Crumble the Bacon.
While the pasta cools, cook the bacon until crisp. Transfer it to a paper towel-lined plate and let it cool before crumbling or chopping with a knife.
The splatter guard shown here helps keep bacon grease from ending up all over my stovetop.
Mix the Dressing.
In a large bowl, whisk together the ranch dressing, mayonnaise, ranch seasoning mix, garlic powder, and black pepper until smooth and creamy.
Combine Everything.
Add the cooled pasta, bacon, cheddar cheese, tomatoes, black olives, and green onions to a large serving bowl.
Pour the dressing over the top. Stir until everything is evenly coated.
Chill Before Serving.
Cover and refrigerate the pasta salad for at least one hour before serving. This gives the flavors time to come together and makes it easier to prepare ahead for a gathering.
Before serving, give the salad a quick stir and garnish with a little extra bacon, cheese, green onion, and tomato if desired.
Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad Recipe:
Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
Ingredients
For the Pasta Salad
- 12 ounces tri-color rotini pasta
- 12 slices bacon cooked and crumbled
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 pint grape or cherry tomatoes halved
- 1 2.25-ounce can sliced black olives, drained
- 3 green onions thinly sliced
For the Dressing
- 1 cup ranch dressing
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 1 1-ounce packet ranch seasoning mix
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Cook the rotini according to the package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool the pasta. Allow it to drain well.
- Cook the bacon until crisp. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate, let cool, and crumble.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the ranch dressing, mayonnaise, ranch seasoning mix, garlic powder, and black pepper until smooth.
- Add the cooled pasta, bacon, cheddar cheese, tomatoes, black olives, and green onions to a large serving bowl.
- Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture and stir until everything is evenly coated.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.
- Before serving, stir the salad and garnish with additional bacon, tomatoes, green onions, and cheese if desired.
Notes
- Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad can be made up to 1 day in advance.
- If the pasta absorbs some of the dressing while chilling, stir in a little extra ranch dressing before serving.
- For the best presentation, reserve a small amount of bacon, cheese, tomatoes, and green onions to sprinkle over the top just before serving.
- Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Tips for the Best Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad.
Save a little bacon and cheese for the top.
A small handful of reserved bacon, cheddar cheese, tomatoes, and green onions makes the finished salad look fresh and colorful when it’s time to serve.
Don’t skip the chilling time.
An hour in the refrigerator gives the flavors time to come together and makes this pasta salad even better.
Cook the pasta just until al dente.
The pasta will continue to soften slightly as it sits in the dressing, so starting with firm pasta helps prevent a mushy salad.
Freshen it up before serving.
If the pasta absorbs some of the dressing while chilling, stir in a little extra ranch dressing before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can You Make Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad Ahead of Time?
Yes. Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad can be made up to one day in advance and stored covered in the refrigerator. If the pasta absorbs some of the dressing while chilling, simply stir in a little extra ranch dressing before serving.
How Long Does Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad Last?
Stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, it will keep for up to 3 days.
Can I Leave Out the Black Olives?
Absolutely. Not everyone loves black olives, and the salad is still delicious without them.
Can I Use Regular Rotini Instead of Tri-Color Rotini?
Yes. I used tri-color rotini because I like the extra color it adds, but either works well.
One of my other favorite things about recipes like this is that they don’t require a special occasion. This Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad works just as well for a backyard cookout as it does for a family dinner at home.
It’s simple, familiar, and made with ingredients most folks already enjoy. And sometimes that’s all a good recipe needs to be.
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