This Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad is the perfect side dish for barbecues and summer get-togethers. It’s fresh, yummy, and always a crowd pleaser!
I love making this pasta salad in the summer time. When it’s warm and and you’re outside grilling, it is the perfect, side dish to pair with burgers or steaks hot off the grill.
This Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad has been a favorite of mine for the past few years.
It’s actually one of the first recipes I ever made when I started out in the kitchen. It’s easy to prepare, and every time I make it, my family gobbles it up!
Ingredients for Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
- tricolor pasta
- bacon
- Mayonnaise
- dry ranch seasoning mix
- garlic powder
- pepper
- milk
- cherry tomatoes
- shredded cheese
- cucumber
How to Make Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad – Step by Step
Tips and Notes
- You can add in a variety of veggies to this Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad, or leave them out altogether if you wish. I’ve made it many times, adding ingredients or not, and it always come out great. I LOVE adding chopped cucumber because it adds a pretty pop of green and a nice bit of crunch.
- Be sure to refrigerate for at least 1-2 hours before serving for best flavor!
Can you freeze pasta salad?
Due to the creamy nature of the mayo-based dressing in this pasta salad, I do not recommend freezing it after it’s been prepared. The mayonnaise will separate once it’s thawed and will not lend to the best taste or texture.
How long is pasta salad good for in the fridge?
Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. If it gets dry over time, add a little milk to fresh it up.
More Summer Salad Recipes You Might Enjoy!
Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 1 12 oz. package uncooked tri-color pasta
- 5 slices bacon,, cooked crisp and chopped
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1 envelope dry ranch salad dressing mix
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic pepper
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes,, sliced in half
- 1 small cucumber,, chopped into 1/4 moon slices
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Cook pasta in a large pot of salted water until al dente, making sure not to overcook. Drain well.
- In a large bowl, combine mayonnaise, ranch dressing mix, garlic powder, and garlic pepper. Stir in the milk until mixture is nice and smooth.
- Carefully fold the cooked pasta into the dressing mixture, and stir to coat evenly.
- Refrigerate the pasta salad for at least 1-2 hours. When ready to serve, add in the chopped bacon, veggies, and cheese, and toss to coat. You can also add a splash of milk to smooth the pasta salad out as needed.
Notes
- You can add in a variety of veggies to this Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad, or leave them out altogether if you wish. I’ve made it many times, adding ingredients or not, and it always come out great. I LOVE adding chopped cucumber because it adds a pretty pop of green and a nice bit of crunch.
- Be sure to refrigerate for at least 1-2 hours before serving for best flavor!
- Can you freeze pasta salad? - due to the creamy nature of the mayo-based dressing in this pasta salad, I do not recommend freezing it after it's been prepared. The mayonnaise will separate once it's thawed and will not lend to the best taste or texture.
- How long is pasta salad good for in the fridge? - Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
Nutrition
Patricia @ Grab a Plate says
This looks like an ideal dish for lunch or dinner – perfect for weekend fun!
Mimi says
This sounds amazing, love me a good pasta dish
Heather says
Bacon and ranch together are SUCH a great combo! Can’t wait to try this.
Monica says
This looks so good! I love pasta salad, and always looking for new ways to make it better. Thanks for sharing, am so going to try this once it stops raining outside. Seems like a great meal to eat while sitting outside on the deck.
Larry says
I love this, but I cut back a little on the mayo and instead of all mayo I do half mayo and half sour cream (1/2 cup of each) Takes it to a whole new level. Love your site!
Ashlyn says
Love that idea, Larry! Thanks for sharing.
Alina | Cooking Journey Blog says
Awesome picture from vacation! I think I need to try your colorful and delicious salad recipe this summer.
Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry says
This definitely is a winner for summer get togethers, it looks delicious
Amy | The Cook Report says
This looks like the perfect summer side dish, can’t wait to try it!
Tania | Fit Foodie Nutter says
This is a great salad to accompany all the summer BBQs!
Vanessa Alexander says
I expected much more flavor. It was just ok. I don’t think I will make it again .
Jacqueline Debono says
I love using farfalle pasta for pasta salad. Yours looks really good! We have some black sand beaches here in Italy, well in Sicily really! Very cool!
Leslie Gooch says
Awesome how I found your recipe on here. Need something nice and cool for a church dinner at the lake. I am a Island girl from Kailua living on the mainland now. The Big Island is awesome and a one road around the island. lol Hope your enjoying Oahu my home island and enjoy the beach, will be back soon. Thank you for the recipe, will try to let you know how it went.
Aloha,
Leslie
Meredith says
Yum! I love a good pasta salad! And adding bacon and ranch take this recipe over-the-top!
Lisa Bynum says
Mmm, I never turn down a good pasta salad. Especially one with bacon.
Sharon says
I love pasta salad year round! Perfect for side dishes or leftovers for the next day. This pasta salad look so good.
Annissa says
Yummy! You can’t go wrong with adding bacon! It goes so well with ranch.
Sonal says
Adding bacon to this salad is adding so much more flavor n crunch to it. I am sure it tasted amazing.
Michele H. says
Aloha! I pinned and shared your recipe, sounds fantastic! My Army son and family are also stationed in Oahu. My daughter was married in Maui, so I know what you mean about the incredible beauty of Hawaii. Our next visit will be to Kauai. Mahalo!
Ashlyn says
Sorry for the late response, Michele! I’m just now seeing your comment, thank you for sharing! Hawaii is definitely a beautiful place, and how wonderful that you have family here to come and visit! Kauai is on our bucket list. Many people we know say it is their favorite island to travel to! We are hoping to try out Maui around Christmas. We went to the Big Island last summer and had a great time there, too. 🙂
Amy | Canary Street Crafts says
This looks so good! I love pasta salad but I don’t really care for bottled salad dressing on it. Using a ranch packet is brilliant! Pinning and definitely going to make this 🙂
Bonnie @ The Pin Junkie says
This looks like a really delicious salad! Thanks for sharing it at The Pin Junkie pin party. It was one of the features this week! Hope you can stop by and grab a brand new featured button! http://www.thepinjunkie.com/2014/08/pin-junkie-pin-party-79.html
Ashlyn says
Thank you so much, Bonnie! Very excited to be featured at your great party!
Diane Balch says
What terrific light and healthy meal for summer. Pinned. Good to see you again at Foodie Friday.
Ashlyn says
Thanks so much, Diane! And I appreciate you pinning. 🙂
Jamie @ Anderson + Grant says
This salad looks incredibly delicious, Ashlyn. Ranch and bacon are two of my favorites and I always love when they can be combined together in something. I’m sharing this as one of my favorite things linked up to our Summer in Bloom party. Yours was my favorite out of everyone that participated with Jenny! You have a great blog!
Ashlyn says
Jamie, thank you so much for saying that! You brought such a big smile to my face. 🙂 I appreciate you sharing it on your super cute blog. I’m all about your cute birdie header!
Julie @ Julie's Eats & Treats says
Oh I love a good salad for summer cook outs! Can turn down anything with Bacon & Ranch in it!!
Ashlyn says
I know, I’m the same way with anything bacon and ranch! It’s the ultimate combo. 🙂
Michelle @ A Dish of Daily Life says
I love Hawaii! We’ve been a few times, mostly for races that my husband has done there, but we just went a couple years back to visit my brother in law and family who were living there at the time. Anyway, your recipe looks scrumptious! I love trying new salads!
Ashlyn says
We absolutely love it here in Hawaii, Michelle! It was our first island hop, and we had a great time on the Big island. What an awesome place to travel to for a race, by the way! Is your husband a triathlete? I know the Iron Man takes place on the Big Island.
Michelle @ A Dish of Daily Life says
He used to do the Xterra series…it’s an off road triathlon series. The World Championships are in Maui. I think once the kids are out of the house, he’ll go back to competing but once they got really active in sports, it became harder. We’ve got 2 in high school and one in middle school so those days are closer than I’d like. Hope you had a great time!
Ashlyn says
Wow, that’s awesome! I’ve heard of the Xterra series before; very cool to know that he’s been a part of it. He must be an amazing athlete, and it sounds like your kids are the same way. I totally understand slowing down with all the activities your kids have going on, though. Gotta enjoy all those moments with them that you can. Have a great night, Michelle. 🙂
Adrian says
I love pasta salad. I will definitely be giving this one a try! Pinned:)
Ashlyn says
Thanks so much, Adrian! I hope you enjoy it. 🙂
Jaren (Diary of a Recipe Collector) says
I love a good pasta salad! This one looks really good and perfect for summer! Your vacation sounded awesome…oh to be so close to paradise…
Ashlyn says
Thank you, Jaren! And yes, Hawaii is pretty awesome, not gonna lie. 😉 It will be hard to leave when it’s time to move again!