Description
A creamy and flavorful pasta salad loaded with crispy bacon, fresh veggies, and a zesty ranch dressing, perfect for picnics, potlucks, or as a side dish at any gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces small pasta shells (about 2 cups uncooked)
- 6 slices bacon, cooked until crispy and crumbled
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 (1-ounce) package ranch seasoning mix
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded or cut into small cubes
- 1 cup frozen peas, thawed
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
- Crumbled croutons for topping (optional)
Instructions
- In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the pasta shells according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool.
- In a large bowl, combine the mayonnaise, sour cream, and ranch seasoning mix. Stir until well blended.
- Add the cooled pasta, crumbled bacon, cherry tomatoes, cheddar cheese, peas, and green onions to the bowl with the dressing. Gently toss until everything is evenly coated.
- Cover the pasta salad and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
- Before serving, give the salad a good stir and top with crumbled croutons for added crunch if desired. Enjoy!
Notes
- For best flavor, chill the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving.
- Feel free to add other vegetables like bell peppers or cucumbers for extra crunch.
- This salad can be made a day in advance for convenience.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing and Chilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad, Pasta Salad, Potluck Recipes, Creamy Salad, Side Dish