Bacon Cheddar Ranch Pasta Salad is creamy, smoky, and filled with bold flavor making it a sure crowd appealer. This is an old-fashioned pasta salad that contains tender pasta with crispy bacon, sharp cheddar cheese with a rich ranch dressing glued on each bite. It is the type of food that can be eaten as effectively at a summer barbecue and a potlatch as it can be at weeknight dinners or weekends.
It is not a light pasta salad that it is based on vinaigrette; this one is entirely comfort food. The fatty ranch is added to the dish to add tang, the bacon is added to add salt and crunch, and the cheddar also gives that distinct sharp, savory bite. Better still it is very simple to prepare and even more so after it has gone through chilling thus it is perfect to prepare beforehand.
Why Bacon Cheddar Ranch Pasta Salad Is So Popular?
It is no wonder that this combination of flavors does not go old:
Adequate richness – Dressing creamy and not too rich.
Lay of texture – Soft pasta, crispy bacon and herbs.
Well-known taste – Ranch, bacon, cheddar are universally quite popular.
Make-ahead Amiable – Tastes better after reclining.
Extremely adaptable – Can be configured to need a lot of add-ins or replacements.
This is a good recipe which is bound to entice compliments regardless of the case.
Bacon Cheddar Ranch Pasta Salad Recipe
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Pasta Salad
- 12 ounces (340g) short pasta (elbow macaroni, rotini, or shells)
- 8 slices bacon, roasted and cut up.
- ½ cups sharp cheddar cheese cut down into cubes or grated.
- ¼ cup of fresh parsley/chives, chopped lowly.
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper.
For the Ranch Dressing
- ¾ cup ranch dressing (either purchased or homemade)
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup sour cream (or plain Greek yogurt)
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1-2 tablespoons milk, to make dressing thin as required.
Preparation of Bacon Cheddar Ranch Pasta Salad
Step 1: Cook the Pasta
A huge pot of water with salt should be boiled. Add the pasta and boil using the package instructions until it becomes dente. Do not overcook, slightly firm pasta is more stable after it is dressed.
Rinse the pasta under a little cold water when stopping the cooking process. Rinse off all the water then place pasta in large mixing bowl. Allow it to cool completely.
Step 2: Prepare the Bacon
As the pasta is cooking, fry the bacon in a skillet on medium heat until it gets crispy. Dry on paper towel on plate so that the remaining grease drains and chop in bite size pieces after it is cool.
To get good texture, it is important that the bacon is crisp initially so it remains crunchy in the salad.
Step 3: Make the Dressing
Whisk in a medium bowl:
- Ranch dressing
- Mayonnaise
- Sour cream
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Salt
Blend until it is smooth and creamy. In case the dressing is too thick, pour in 1 tbsps of milk at a time until it can be easily poured into the dressing but remains rich.
Construct and impart flavor and add seasoning where necessary.
Step 4: Assemble the Salad
Stir the bacon, cheddar cheese, parsley (or chives), and black pepper into the pasta that has been cooked.
Sprinkle the dressing on top of the pasta mixture and toss it around till all is well coated. Be careful in mixing lightly, you should make sure that the pasta should not be mixed and the cheese should be evenly spread.
Step 5: Chill and Serve
Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour preferably 2-3 hours. This enables fusion of the flavors as well as thorough penetration of the dressing into the pasta.
Stir the salad before serving and pour a splash of milk or more ranch dressing in the event it has become too thick. Insensitive to additional herbs or sprinkle with black pepper.
Tips for the Best Results
It is important not to make the pasta wet otherwise, the dressing is sure to be greasy.
Sharp cheddar gives the best contrast of flavor.
Don’t be too stingy with the chilling time it does make it taste better.
Set aside a little bacon, which can be sprinkled on when it reaches the table to add extra crunch to it.
Easy Variations
This is a recipe that is highly flexible. The following are some of the common variations of it:
Add Protein
- Rotisseries chicken (11/2 cups, diced) or grilled.
- Smoked turkey or ham
- Chopped chicken tenders Crispy.
Add Veggies
- 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
- 1/2 cup diced red onion
- 1/2 cup sweet corn
- 1/2 cup diced bell peppers
Make It Lighter
- Substitute half of the mayo with the Greek yogurt.
- Use light ranch dressing
- Add additional herbs to be fresh.
Serving Suggestions
Bacon Cheddar Ranch Pasta Salad does not complement:
- Grilled burgers or hot dogs
- BBQ chicken or ribs
- Sandwiches and wraps
- Fried chicken or meats that have been roasted.
It also can be served as an independent lunch/meal prepared item.
Storage & Make-Ahead Tips
Refrigerator: Keep in an airtight container, not more than 3 days.
Make-ahead: Prepare up to 24 hours beforehand.
Leftovers Refreshing: Add 1-2 tablespoons of ranch dressing or milk before serving.
The creamy dressing does not make this salad freezer-friendly.
Final Thoughts
Tasting creamy, cozy, and immensely delicious, Bacon Cheddar Ranch Pasta Salad is the type of a dish that will never do anything wrong. It is simple enough to be prepared on the daily meals and is luxurious enough to serve at parties, and the common tastes will ensure it is a success among children and adults as well.
When you want a good, saucy, always comforting pasta salad, then make this dish a part of your rotary.
Happy Cooking!