Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
This Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad is a delightful blend of flavors and textures, perfect for a satisfying meal or a side dish at any gathering. With crispy bacon, tender pasta, creamy dressing, and fresh vegetables, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
8 ounces medium pasta (shells, rotini, penne, rigatoni)
8 slices bacon
2 cups chopped cooked chicken
2 green onions, thinly sliced, divided
1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
1/2 cup cheddar cheese, cut into 1/4-inch cubes
1/2 avocado, for garnish (optional)
1/3 cup mayonnaise
1/3 cup sour cream (or plain Greek yogurt)
2 tablespoons milk (or as needed)
2 teaspoons fresh chopped chives (or 1 teaspoon dried)
2 teaspoons fresh chopped dill (or 1 teaspoon dried)
2 teaspoons fresh chopped parsley (or 1 1/2 teaspoons dried)
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
Salt & black pepper to taste
Directions
In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, sour cream, milk, chives, dill, parsley, onion powder, and garlic powder to make the dressing. If desired, whisk in 1 tablespoon of bacon grease for added flavor.
In a large skillet, cook the bacon over medium heat until crisp. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to cool. Once cooled, chop or crumble into pieces.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta al dente according to package directions. Drain well and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process.
Reserve 1 tablespoon of sliced green onions and half of the bacon for garnish.
In a large bowl, combine the drained pasta, chopped chicken, halved grape tomatoes, remaining green onions, and cheddar cheese. Add the prepared dressing to taste, tossing well to coat. You may not need to use all of the dressing.
Refrigerate the salad for at least 1 hour before serving to allow the flavors to meld together.
Before serving, garnish with sliced avocado (if using) and the reserved bacon and green onions.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: –
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 6
Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
