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A bowl of bacon ranch pasta salad with rotini pasta, crispy bacon, cherry tomatoes, and chopped parsley

Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

This bacon ranch pasta salad is a creamy, flavorful side dish packed with crispy bacon, fresh vegetables, and tender rotini pasta. It's perfect for potlucks, picnics, or an easy make-ahead meal.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 520

Ingredients
  

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Colander
  • Large Mixing Bowl
  • Whisk
  • Cutting board
  • chef's knife

Method
 

  1. Cook the rotini pasta in salted water according to package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process, then let it cool completely.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the ranch dressing, sour cream, milk, dill, garlic powder, black pepper, and salt until smooth.
  3. Add the cooled pasta, crumbled bacon, cherry tomatoes, cheddar cheese, red onion, black olives, and cucumber to the bowl.
  4. Toss everything gently until the pasta and vegetables are evenly coated with the dressing.
  5. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Chill for at least 30 minutes before serving for the best flavor.

Notes

For best results, chill the salad before serving so the flavors can meld. If the pasta salad seems too thick after chilling, stir in a splash of milk or extra ranch dressing. You can also add diced bell pepper or swap cheddar for colby jack if desired.