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Creamy loaded pasta salad with ranch and bacon in a large white bowl with cherry tomatoes and cheddar

Creamy Loaded Pasta Salad with Ranch and Bacon

A quick and easy creamy pasta salad with smoky crispy bacon, cool ranch dressing, cheddar cheese, and fresh vegetables. Perfect for summer BBQs, potlucks, and weeknight dinners.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Chill Time 1 hour
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 6 portions
Course: Dinner, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 350
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 8 oz rotini or elbow macaroni pasta
  • 6 slices thick-cut bacon cooked until crisp and chopped
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
  • 0.5 cup cucumber diced, peeled if preferred
  • 0.5 cup red onion finely chopped
  • 0.5 cup black olives sliced, optional
  • 1 cup ranch dressing
  • 0.25 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 0.5 tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • salt to taste

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Colander or strainer
  • Large mixing bowl
  • Frying pan or skillet
  • Small bowl for dressing
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Knife and cutting board

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain well and let cool slightly.
  2. While pasta cooks, heat a skillet over medium heat. Cook bacon for 6 to 8 minutes, flipping occasionally, until deeply browned and crisp. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate, then chop into bite-sized pieces.
  3. Halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the cucumber, finely chop the red onion, and slice the black olives if using.
  4. In a small bowl, whisk together ranch dressing, mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, black pepper, and salt. Taste and adjust seasoning.
  5. Add the warm pasta to a large mixing bowl. Pour about two-thirds of the dressing over and toss to coat. Fold in the bacon, cheddar cheese, and all vegetables.
  6. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Before serving, toss again and stir in remaining dressing to freshen up the salad.

Notes

Rotini holds the dressing best. For a lighter version, swap mayo for plain Greek yogurt. Soak red onion in cold water for 5 minutes to mellow the sharpness. Hold back a little dressing to stir in right before serving for best results.