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Creamy Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

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A quick and easy creamy bacon ranch pasta salad with cherry tomatoes, sharp cheddar, and homemade ranch dressing. Perfect for summer gatherings and crowd-pleasing side dishes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces rotini or elbow pasta
  • 6 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked until crispy and chopped
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped green onions (white and green parts)
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk (or regular milk with 1 tsp lemon juice)
  • 1 tsp dried dill weed
  • 1 tsp dried parsley
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1/4 tsp salt, or to taste
  • 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces of rotini pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente (about 8-10 minutes). Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Drain the pasta in a colander and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool it down. Set aside in the colander to drain fully (about 5 minutes).
  2. While the pasta cooks, heat a skillet over medium heat. Lay 6 slices of thick-cut bacon in a single layer and cook until crispy, about 5-7 minutes, flipping as needed. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess grease. Once cooled, chop into bite-sized pieces.
  3. In a mixing bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1/2 cup sour cream, and 1/2 cup buttermilk. Add 1 tsp dried dill, 1 tsp dried parsley, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp onion powder, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Whisk until smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
  4. In a large mixing bowl, add the cooled pasta, chopped bacon, 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes, 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, and 1/2 cup chopped green onions. Pour the ranch dressing over the pasta mixture.
  5. Gently toss everything together until evenly coated. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let flavors meld. If short on time, 15 minutes will do but the salad tastes better chilled longer.
  6. Before serving, give the salad a gentle stir. Taste and add a pinch of salt or pepper if needed. Serve cold or at room temperature.

Notes

Do not overcook pasta; rinse immediately with cold water to stop cooking. Cook bacon until crispy but not burnt. Homemade ranch dressing tastes better than store-bought. Chill salad for at least 30 minutes for best flavor. Toss gently to avoid breaking tomatoes or pasta. Salad keeps well for up to 3 days refrigerated; stir before serving again.

Nutrition

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

Find it online: https://emmastirs.com/creamy-bacon-ranch-pasta-salad-recipe-easy-homemade-side-dish-with-cherry-tomatoes/