Creamy Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
A quick and easy creamy bacon ranch pasta salad with cherry tomatoes, perfect for summer picnics and casual get-togethers. This dish combines smoky bacon, tangy ranch dressing, and fresh cherry tomatoes tossed with tender pasta.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 ounces (340g) rotini or bowtie pasta
- 8 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked crisp and chopped
- 1 ½ cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- ¾ cup (180ml) ranch dressing
- ½ cup (120ml) mayonnaise
- 1 cup (100g) shredded cheddar cheese
- 3 green onions, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 ounces (340g) of rotini pasta and cook according to package instructions, usually 8-10 minutes, until al dente. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Drain in a colander and rinse under cold water to cool and stop the cooking. Set aside to drain thoroughly.
- While pasta cooks, heat a skillet over medium heat. Add 8 slices of thick-cut bacon and cook until crispy, about 6-8 minutes, turning occasionally for even crispness. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess fat. Once cool, chop into bite-sized pieces.
- Halve 1 ½ cups of cherry tomatoes and thinly slice 3 green onions. Chop 2 tablespoons of fresh parsley if using.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine ¾ cup (180ml) ranch dressing, ½ cup (120ml) mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Whisk together until smooth and creamy.
- Add the cooled pasta, chopped bacon, halved cherry tomatoes, sliced green onions, 1 cup (100g) shredded cheddar cheese, and parsley to the bowl with the dressing. Gently toss everything together until the pasta and veggies are evenly coated.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Before serving, taste and adjust seasoning with extra salt and pepper if needed.
Notes
Cook pasta al dente and rinse with cold water to prevent mushiness. Crisp bacon well for texture contrast. Chill salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld. If salad feels dry after chilling, stir in extra ranch dressing or mayonnaise. For gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta. For dairy-free, use dairy-free ranch and omit or replace cheese.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1 cup (200g)
- Calories: 350
- Sodium: 550
- Fat: 22
- Carbohydrates: 22
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 12
Keywords: pasta salad, bacon, ranch dressing, cherry tomatoes, summer picnic, creamy pasta salad, easy pasta salad, bacon pasta salad