Creamy Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

Creamy Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

When it comes to recipes, you know that I love quick and easy. With just 15 minutes of prep work, you can easily toss this dish together when you’re in a pinch for time.

So, if you’re looking for the perfect side salad to take to a potluck or backyard barbecue this summer, give this creamy bacon ranch pasta salad a try.

It’s sure to be a crowd pleaser. Because let’s face it. Everything is better with bacon, am I right?

Ingredients For Creamy Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

• 1 (16 oz) box of small shell pasta
• 1 (1 oz) packet ranch dip mix
• 1/3 cup mayonnaise
• 1 (16 oz) container of sour cream
• 2 teaspoons parsley
• 1 teaspoon dill
• salt and pepper to taste
• 12 strips of bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 1 (16 oz) block cheddar cheese (sharp or mild), cubed
• 1 (10 oz) bag frozen peas, thawed

How To Make Creamy Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

Bring a large pot of water to a boil over medium to high heat. Once the water has reached a boil, add the shell pasta and cook until al-dente.

When done, drain the pasta and give it a quick rinse in cold water. Pour the pasta into a large mixing bowl to cool and set it aside.

Next, mix the dressing and prep the remainder of the ingredients.

To a small bowl, add one 16 oz container of sour cream, 1/3 cup of mayo, and one package of ranch dip mix. Then sprinkle in two teaspoons of parsley and one teaspoon of dill.

Stir until all the dressing ingredients are well combined, and add salt and pepper to taste.

Then, pour the ranch dressing mix over the pasta and stir until the shells are well coated.

Stir in the cubed cheddar cheese, thawed peas, and crumbled bacon. Mix the salad until everything is combined.

Cover the pasta salad and let it chill to flavor for at least one hour before serving. Then dig in and enjoy!

Can You Make The Pasta Salad Ahead Of Time?

The short answer is yes. If you’d prefer to do some prep the day before, you can. The trick is to keep the salad and dressing ingredients separate until about an hour before you are ready to serve.

First, cook and strain the pasta as directed. Then cube the cheese, thaw the peas, and cook and crumble the bacon. Put each in a separate air-tight food storage container.

In a new bowl, combine all of the ranch dressing ingredients. Mix well and cover. Store everything in the fridge overnight to keep it cold.

Pour the dressing mix over the pasta the next day. Then stir in the cheese, peas, and bacon.

You can eat it right away, but I think the pasta salad tastes best when you let it chill for at least one hour before serving to let it flavor just a bit.

What To Else To Serve

For a quick and easy summer meal, pair this pasta salad with one of my favorite grilling recipes. And to finish your dinner, try a no-bake dessert like lemon berry cheesecake cups or a summer berry trifle.

Creamy Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

I hope you like the recipe for this simple summer side as much as I do. As always, if you try any of my recipes, I’d love to know what you think. Please leave your feedback in the comments. And, if you love it, don’t forget to give it a “thumbs up” with the star rating found on the recipe card.

Enjoy!

Recipe For Creamy Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

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