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Creamy Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

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A creamy, tangy pasta salad with smoky bacon and fresh cherry tomatoes, perfect for summer gatherings and easy to prepare.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces rotini or spiral pasta
  • 6 slices bacon, cooked crisp and chopped
  • 1 ½ cups cherry tomatoes, halved
  • ¾ cup ranch dressing
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • ¼ cup sour cream
  • 2 green onions, thinly sliced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 ounces rotini and cook according to package directions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
  2. Drain the pasta in a colander and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool it down. Set aside to drain thoroughly.
  3. While pasta cooks, fry 6 slices of bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy, about 6-8 minutes. Transfer to paper towels to drain excess fat, then chop into bite-sized pieces.
  4. Halve 1 ½ cups cherry tomatoes and thinly slice 2 green onions. Chop 2 tablespoons fresh parsley if using.
  5. In a large bowl, whisk together ¾ cup ranch dressing, ½ cup mayonnaise, and ¼ cup sour cream until smooth and creamy.
  6. Add the cooled pasta, bacon bits, cherry tomatoes, green onions, and parsley to the dressing. Toss gently but thoroughly to coat everything evenly.
  7. Taste and season with salt and freshly cracked black pepper as needed.
  8. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let flavors meld.
  9. Give the salad a final toss before serving. Add a sprinkle of extra parsley or bacon bits on top for presentation.

Notes

Do not overcook the pasta; al dente works best. Cool pasta completely before mixing to avoid runny dressing. Cook bacon until just crispy and drain well. Chill salad for at least 30 minutes to meld flavors. Add tomatoes just before serving if making ahead to avoid sogginess. To loosen thick salad after chilling, add a splash of milk or buttermilk.

Nutrition

Keywords: pasta salad, bacon, ranch dressing, cherry tomatoes, summer side dish, creamy pasta salad, easy pasta salad, picnic recipe

Find it online: https://blingbite.com/creamy-bacon-ranch-pasta-salad-recipe-easy-perfect-summer-side-dish/