Description
This Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad is a creamy, flavorful dish combining tender elbow pasta, tangy ranch dressing, crispy bacon, sharp cheddar cheese, and fresh grape tomatoes. It’s perfect for potlucks, picnics, or as a hearty side salad, offering a delightful contrast of textures and rich tastes that come together beautifully after chilling overnight.
Ingredients
Scale
Dressing
- 3 tablespoons ranch dressing mix
- ¾ cup buttermilk
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
Pasta Salad
- 8 ounces dried elbow pasta
- 1 cup grape tomatoes (cut in half)
- 4 ounces sharp cheddar cheese (cut into small cubes)
- 8 slices bacon (chopped)
- Black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the dressing: Whisk together the ranch dressing mix and buttermilk until smooth. Then stir in the mayonnaise and rice wine vinegar to create a creamy and tangy dressing. Set this mixture aside.
- Cook the pasta: Boil the elbow pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Drain well, then rinse under cold water to cool it down and stop the cooking process.
- Toss pasta with dressing: Place the cooled pasta into a large mixing bowl and pour the prepared ranch dressing over it. Stir thoroughly to ensure every piece of pasta is well coated with the dressing.
- Add mix-ins: Gently fold in the halved grape tomatoes, sharp cheddar cheese cubes, and chopped crispy bacon. Toss carefully so the ingredients are evenly distributed without breaking the tomatoes or cheese cubes.
- Chill the salad: Cover the bowl and refrigerate the pasta salad for at least 8 hours or overnight. This resting time allows the flavors to meld together perfectly.
- Serve: Before serving, stir the salad well. If it seems dry, add a splash of milk or more buttermilk to loosen the dressing and restore creaminess. Season with black pepper to taste.
Notes
- Chilling the salad overnight enhances the flavor, but if short on time, chilling for at least 2 hours will still yield good results.
- Use high-quality bacon for the best smoky flavor, and cook it until crisp before chopping.
- Sharp cheddar cheese adds a nice tang; feel free to substitute with Colby jack or Monterey jack if preferred.
- This salad can be prepared a day in advance, making it perfect for meal prep or parties.
- Adjust buttermilk quantity to achieve desired creaminess before serving.
