Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad Recipe
This bacon ranch pasta salad is sure to be a hit with friends and family. Take it along to a potluck dinner or cookout—or make it for a tasty family meal.
- Preparation:
- Cooking:
- Total:
- Serves: 12 persons
Ingredients
- 1 ½cups mayonnaise
- ½cup sour cream
- 2(1-ounce) packets Ranch dressing dry mix (about 6 tablespoons)
- ¼teaspoon ground black pepper
- 10strips thick bacon (diced)
- 1pound rotini (or a similar short pasta shape )
- 1pint grape tomatoes (halved)
- 1 ½cups diced celery
- 2cans sliced ripe olives (drained)
- Optional: 1 to 2 cups grated cheddar cheese
Instructions
Step 1
Gather the ingredients.Step 2
Combine mayonnaise, sour cream, ranch dressing mix, and pepper in a medium bowl. Cover bowl and refrigerate until it is time to make salad.Step 3
Put diced bacon in a large skillet and place over medium-low heat. Cook, stirring frequently, until browned and beginning to crisp. Use a slotted spatula to remove bacon to paper towels to drain. Let bacon drippings cool slightly and then pour into a container to use in future dishes.Step 4
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil; add rotini and turn heat down to maintain a gentle boil and cook according to package directions, usually about 7 to 9 minutes. Drain pasta and let cool.Step 5
Put cooled pasta in a large bowl and add cooked, drained bacon, halved tomatoes, diced celery, and olives to the bowl, along with cheese, if using. Toss gently to combine.Step 6
Add dressing mixture and gently fold it in until the pasta and vegetables are well coated.Step 7
Transfer pasta salad to a serving bowl; cover and refrigerate until serving time.