Description
This Creamy Ranch Pasta Salad with Bacon is a comforting, family-friendly dish packed with tender pasta, crispy bacon, fresh vegetables, and a rich ranch dressing. Easy to make and perfect for gatherings, this salad brings warmth and flavor to any meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 300g pasta (fusilli or rotini)
- 6 slices bacon, crispy
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- 1/2 cup red bell pepper, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup ranch dressing
- 2 tbsp mayonnaise
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp smoked paprika (optional)
- Fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Cook pasta al dente, drain, and rinse under cold water.
- Fry bacon until crispy, chop into bite-sized pieces.
- Prepare vegetables: cherry tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, red onion.
- Mix ranch, mayonnaise, garlic powder, black pepper, and smoked paprika.
- Toss pasta with the dressing while slightly warm.
- Fold in bacon, vegetables, and cheddar cheese.
- Garnish with parsley and serve chilled or at room temperature.
Notes
Pasta tastes best slightly warm when mixing with dressing. Keep veggies and bacon separate if making ahead to preserve texture. Perfect for picnics, potlucks, or quick weeknight meals. Can substitute bacon with turkey bacon for a lighter version.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 20
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Unsaturated Fat: 12
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 28
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 10
- Cholesterol: 35