This Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad is ready to rock your next backyard party or potluck! Tender pasta is tossed with fresh tomatoes, romaine lettuce, scallions, bacon, and Cabot cheddar cheese, then tossed in an easy homemade ranch.
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Keyword Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
Prep Time 18 minutesminutes
Cook Time 10 minutesminutes
Total Time 28 minutesminutes
Servings 10servings
Calories 356kcal
Author Jenn Laughlin - Peas and Crayons
Ingredients
12ozbowtie pasta
8slicesbaconcooked and crumbled
2-3cupschopped romaine lettuce
1cupdiced tomatoplus extra to taste
1/3-1/2cupchopped scallions
2-3ozcubed Cabot Medium Cheddar Cheese
2-3ozcubed Cabot Colby Jack Cheese(or feel free to swap for more cheddar)
EASY HOMEMADE RANCH DRESSING
½cupsour cream
½cupmayonnaise
½cupmilk(2%, whole, or buttermilk)
1clovegarlic(smashed, peeled, and minced - approx. 1/2-3/4 tsp)
¾tspsalt
¾tspdried dill
¼tspgarlic powder
¼tspblack pepper
¼cupfinely chopped scallions or chives
1/8-1/4tsphot sauce
Instructions
First whisk together your dressing. Combine all dressing ingredients in a medium bowl and whisk well until smooth. Place in the fridge to chill while you make your pasta salad.
Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Once tender, drain and rinse with cold water.
While the pasta boils, cook bacon via your favorite method and crumble once cooled.
Chop lettuce, tomatoes, and scallions. Chop your Cabot cheese into small cubes.
Add everything but the bacon to a large bowl and toss to coat. For that coveted crispy bacon experience, add bacon just before serving and enjoy!
Notes
My vegetarian besties are welcome to use plant-based crispy bacon bits for this salad. They're delicious!Nutrition Facts below are estimated for both the pasta salad and dressing using an online recipe nutrition calculator. Adjust as needed and enjoy!