Get ready to transform your ordinary meal into an extraordinary culinary experience with this mouthwatering Cheesy Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad! Imagine a perfect blend of crispy bacon, creamy ranch, and tangy cheese that comes together in just 25 minutes – it's the ultimate crowd-pleaser that will have everyone asking for seconds. Whether you're hosting a summer barbecue, planning a potluck, or just craving a delicious side dish, this recipe is about to become your new go-to favorite.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 25 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 8 ounces rotini pasta
- 1 cup cooked bacon, crumbled
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup ranch dressing
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 cup green onions, sliced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Begin by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, add the 8 ounces of rotini pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente, usually about 7-10 minutes.
- While the pasta is cooking, prepare the other ingredients. Cook the bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy, then remove from the skillet and place on a paper towel to drain. Once cooled, crumble the bacon into small pieces.
- After the pasta has finished cooking, drain it in a colander and rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process. Allow the pasta to cool completely.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled rotini pasta, crumbled bacon, 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese, 1/2 cup of ranch dressing, 1/2 cup of halved cherry tomatoes, and 1/4 cup of sliced green onions.
- Gently toss all the ingredients together until everything is evenly coated with the ranch dressing and well mixed. If desired, add salt and pepper to taste.
- Cover the pasta salad with plastic wrap or transfer it to an airtight container. Refrigerate for at least 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Before serving, give the pasta salad a good stir and taste for seasoning, adjusting with more salt, pepper, or ranch dressing if needed.
- Serve the Cheesy Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad chilled or at room temperature, garnished with additional green onions or bacon if desired. Enjoy!
Tips
- Cook pasta al dente: Be careful not to overcook the rotini, as mushy pasta can ruin the texture of your salad.
- Cool pasta completely: Rinsing with cold water stops the cooking process and prevents the pasta from becoming sticky.
- Use high-quality ranch dressing: The dressing is a key flavor component, so choose a brand you love or make your own homemade version.
- Prep ingredients in advance: You can cook the bacon and chop vegetables ahead of time to make assembly quick and easy.
- Let it marinate: Refrigerating the salad for at least 10 minutes allows the flavors to meld together beautifully.
- Customize to taste: Feel free to add extra ingredients like diced bell peppers or swap cheeses to make the recipe your own.
- Serve chilled or at room temperature: This versatile salad is delicious either way, making it perfect for picnics and potlucks.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 380kcal
Carbohydrates: 28g
Protein: 16g
Fat: 24g
Saturated Fat: 9g
Cholesterol: 45mg
