Homemade Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

Pasta salad is a traditional summertime food found at nearly every cookout or BBQ across America. But not all pasta salads are made the same.

This delightful Bacon Ranch Pasta salad is rich and creamy and made with both Ranch dressing and mayo.

It is quick and easy to make and is sure to be a big hit at your next family gathering.

This crowd-pleasing summertime pasta salad is quick, easy, and an excellent salad choice, so good and kids love it!

It is quick and easy to make and is sure to be a big hit at your next family gathering.

Scroll to bottom for printable recipe card.

Why I love Homemade Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad?

• Serves a Crowd
• Inexpensive
• Versatile pasta salad complements any meat or poultry dish and can even be served as a main dish.

Is ranch just mayonnaise?

Ranch dressing may look like mayonnaise but looks can be deceiving. Ranch dressing is made from buttermilk, onion, garlic, mustard, herbs, and spices mixed with an emulsion like sour cream, yogurt, or mayonnaise. Ranch dressing and mayonnaise are used together to make the dressing in this Bacon Ranch pasta salad recipe.

Do you rinse pasta for cold salad?

Cooked pasta should be drained and rinsed with cold running water before using it in a pasta salad. The cold water helps to remove excess starch from the pasta and helps to cool it quickly to prevent it from overcooking.

What happens if you forget to rinse pasta in cold water?

Rinsing cooked pasta in cold water serves two purposes. First, it cools the pasta quickly, stopping the cooking process, and it removes excess starch from the pasta. Pasta that is not rinsed in cold water will continue to cook and may become too soft to be palatable. It will also be sticky from the starch, making it more challenging to handle.

How to serve Homemade Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad?

Homemade Bacon Ranch Salad is the perfect side to bring to cookouts or family gatherings, as it goes well with nearly any meat or poultry dish.  It can also be served on its own or on a bed of lettuce for a quick summertime lunch. Make sure to chill it well for the best flavor.

Tips:

• Rinse the pasta under cold running water immediately after draining.
• Allow the rinsed pasta to drain in a colander while you prepare the other ingredients. You don’t need to pat it dry, but your pasta should be reasonably dry.
• Pat the diced tomatoes dry before adding them to the salad.
• Put the pasta salad in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour before serving.

Variations:

• Add tiny bits of broccoli flowerets or omit the peas and use broccoli instead.
• Substitute diced tender zucchini or summer squash for the peas when they are in season.
• Add shredded cheese to the pasta salad to boost flavor.
• Toss in a handful of roasted sunflower seeds to add crunch to the salad.

Ingredients:

• Bow tie pasta
• Ranch dressing seasoning
• Mayonnaise
• Bacon
• Tomato
• Thawed frozen peas
• Carrot

How to make Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad:

Step 1. Boil the noodles and then drain well. Allow the noodles to cool completely.

Step 2. Mix together the ranch seasoning and the mayonnaise in a bowl until well combined.

Adding the mayonnaise.

Adding ranch seasoning.

Step 3. In a large mixing bowl, add the noodles.

Then, add the frozen peas.

Then, add the carrots.

Then, add the tomato.

Then, add the bacon pieces.

Step 4. Stir to combine.

Step 5. Toss the noodle mixture with the mayonnaise mixture.

Then, chill for 2-3 hours before serving.

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How to Store Homemade Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad?

Pasta salad should be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container. Use it within 3 or 4 days.

How to reheat Homemade Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad?

Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad is served cold and does not need to be reheated.

How much does Homemade Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad last on the fridge?

Bacon Ranch Pasta salad can be kept in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days if it lasts that long!

Can I make ahead Homemade Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad?

Yes. This bacon ranch pasta salad recipe can be made the night before and kept in the refrigerator.

Related Recipes You Might Enjoy:

Zucchini and Almond Pasta Salad This pasta salad recipe features whole-grain pasta, almonds, and fresh zucchini with a lemon juice and olive oil dressing, making it a healthier version of traditional pasta salads.

Broccoli Salad With Red Grapes, Bacon, and Sunflower Seeds For a keto-friendly alternative to pasta salad, try this delicious broccoli salad brimming with bacon, grapes, and sunflower seeds in a creamy mayo-based dressing.

Olive Garden Salad Dressing Try this classic Olive Garden dressing recipe to bump your salads up a notch. This light and creamy dressing works for pasta salads as well as garden salads.