Creamy Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad: A Delicious Summer Side Dish

Need an easy and delicious side dish recipe? This creamy bacon ranch pasta salad is the perfect addition to your next potluck or summer barbecue and is easy enough for a weeknight dinner. It’s a flavorful side dish that’s sure to be a hit with everyone!

I knew my Creamy Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad was a big crowd-pleaser when my son-in-law made a bold move that left everyone laughing and nodding in agreement. It was during a recent family summer barbecue. It was the first time I had made the pasta side dish instead of everyone’s favorite, Dill Pickle Potato Salad, which is a family must-make at any summer gathering.

As the evening progressed, the pasta salad quickly became a hit. Many family members went back for seconds, including my sweet son-in-law, who used a cereal bowl to pile his second helping in!

That unexpected move spoke volumes about how much everyone loved the dish. If someone is willing to break out a cereal bowl for a second helping, you know you’ve got a winner on your hands. It was a moment of lighthearted fun that perfectly captured the deliciousness that Creamy Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad brought to our gathering.

What Is Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

This pasta salad gets its tangy taste from a creamy ranch dressing that coats small to medium-sized pasta and gets its smokiness from the bacon. The addition of herbs gives this pasta its fresh notes.

Ingredients For Creamy Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

These ingredients combine together to make the tastiest pasta side dish…

Medium Size Pasta: Provides the hearty base for the salad, offering a satisfying texture and the perfect vehicle for the creamy dressing.

Packet of Ranch Dip: Adds a tangy and herbaceous flavor, giving the salad its classic ranch taste that’s both familiar and delicious.

Mayonnaise: Contributes to the creamy consistency of the dressing, giving the salad its smooth texture.

Sour Cream: Adds a tangy richness, balancing the flavors and enhancing the creaminess of the dressing.

Parsley: Fresh and vibrant, parsley adds a burst of color and a subtle, herbaceous note to the salad.

Dill: Offers a distinctive, slightly tangy flavor that complements the ranch seasoning and adds depth to the dish.

Shallot: Adds a mild, sweet onion flavor with a hint of garlic, enhancing the overall depth and complexity of the salad’s taste.

Bacon: Provides a smoky, savory crunch that enhances the overall flavor and adds a satisfying texture contrast.

Cheddar Cheese: Brings a sharp, savory taste and a creamy texture, making the salad more indulgent and flavorful.

Shredded Carrot: adds color, texture, and a little sweetness.

Peas: Add a pop of sweetness and a fresh, tender bite that balances the richness of the other ingredients.

Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance all the flavors in the salad, ensuring a well-rounded and delicious taste.

Creamy Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad Recipe

This pasta dish is so easy to make and tastes so delicious.

• 12 oz medium size pasta- I used medium shells
• 1 packet of Hidden Valley Ranch Dip And Seasoning Mix or any other dry ranch dip mix
• 1/3 cup mayonnaise
• 1- 16 oz. container of sour cream
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
• 1 shallot- finely minced
• 12 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 1- 8oz block of sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 small carrot, shredded
• 1- 10 oz bag of frozen peas, thawed if frozen- I used cubed zucchini because I don’t care for peas
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

Step 1: Cook the Pasta

1. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente in a large pot of lightly salted water.
2. Drain and rinse with cold water to cool the pasta quickly and remove some of the starchiness. Set aside.

Step 2: Prepare the Dressing

1. In a large bowl, combine the ranch dip mix, mayonnaise, and sour cream.
2. Stir until well blended and smooth.
3. Add the chopped parsley, dill, and the minced shallot to the dressing and combine.

Step 3: Combine Ingredients

1. Add the cooked and cooled pasta to the bowl with the dressing.
2. Toss to coat the pasta thoroughly with the dressing.

Step 4: Add Bacon, Cheese, Carrot, and Peas
1. Season with salt and pepper to taste, adjusting as needed.

Step 7: Chill and Serve

1. Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to marry.
2. Serve chilled, and enjoy!

Add-In, Substitutions, And Variations

You can use your favorite medium-size pasta or combine them together for a fun and interesting pasta salad. Here are a few pasta shapes to use:

• bowtie or farfalle
• elbow macaroni
• rotini pasta
• penne pasta
• cavatelli pasta
• conchiglie or shell pasta- this is what I used

Add extra flavor and color by adding these ingredients to the pasta salad:

• Shredded Cooked Chicken- rotisserie chicken is an easy choice
• Onion- chop a yellow or red onion and substitute it for the shallot
• Black Olives- to add color and a tangy bite
• Bell Peppers- chop them to add color and crunch

I substituted 1 small diced zucchini for the peas in this recipe. You substitute any firm diced vegetable instead of peas.

You might like to garnish your pasta dish. Here are some mouth-watering and attractive options:

• Crumbled bacon
• Freshly chopped herbs like chives, parsley or dill
• Chopped tomatoes
• Finely chopped green onions
• Diced black olives
• A light sprinkle of paprika

Add enough pickle juice to thin out the dressing and give your pasta salad a subtle pickle flavor. A trendy favor addition.

Can I Make This Pasta Side Dish Ahead

Yes, you can make the ingredients a day ahead. Just refrigerate the ingredients separately. This keeps the pasta from soaking up the dressing and the other ingredients from getting soggy.

Mix the ingredients in a large bowl the day you want to serve the past dish. Refrigerate the pasta salad at least one hour before serving.

Storing The Pasta Salad

You can store Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To serve you might want to mix a dollop of mayonnaise with a sprinkle of dry ranch mix and add it to the pasta for extra creaminess.

Shop Items Needed To Make This Recipe

I hope you enjoy this scrumptious creamy side dish as much as my family!