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–+ servings
Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad: The Ultimate Summer BBQ Side

Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad is a quick and delicious summer side, combining crispy bacon, tender pasta, and tangy ranch dressing.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Salads
Cuisine: American
Calories: 350
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Salad
  • 1 lb rotelli or elbow pasta gluten-free pasta works too
  • 8 oz sharp cheddar cheese cubed; can substitute with pepper jack
  • 10 oz frozen peas thawed; fresh peas are an alternative
  • 8 strips cooked bacon chopped; substitute with crispy chickpeas for vegetarian
  • 2 tablespoons chives chopped; can use fresh green onions
  • 1 tablespoon parsley chopped; can use any fresh herb like cilantro
For the Dressing
  • 4 tablespoons Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing or homemade ranch
  • 1 cup sour cream can substitute with Greek yogurt
  • ½ cup mayonnaise can use light mayo or avocado
  • 1 cup milk can substitute with almond or oat milk

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Colander
  • Mixing bowl
  • Whisk

Method
 

Cooking Instructions
  1. Begin by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 1 pound of rotelli or elbow pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente, typically around 8-10 minutes. Drain the pasta and rinse it under cold water.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, 8 ounces of cubed sharp cheddar cheese, a 10-ounce bag of thawed frozen peas, and 8 strips of cooked and chopped bacon. Mix these ingredients gently to distribute evenly.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk together 4 tablespoons of Hidden Valley Ranch dressing, 1 cup of sour cream, and ½ cup of mayonnaise until smooth and creamy.
  4. Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture in the large bowl. Sprinkle in 2 tablespoons of chopped chives and 1 tablespoon of chopped parsley. Toss everything together gently until well coated.
  5. Serve your Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad immediately, or refrigerate it. If thickened, add extra dressing or milk to restore creaminess before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cupCalories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 15gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 50mgSodium: 600mgPotassium: 300mgFiber: 3gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 10IUVitamin C: 15mgCalcium: 20mgIron: 6mg

Notes

For best texture, serve immediately. Can be prepared a day in advance, storing dressing separately until serving.

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