This bacon ranch pasta salad is perfect for any potluck, cookout, or back yard BBQ! This ranch pasta salad recipe is loaded with bacon, tomatoes, peas and topped with a healthy ranch dressing. Make extra – this pasta salad disappears FAST!
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Does your idea of a summer side dish consist of a creamy, delicious pasta salad? This Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad recipe is fantastic for all of your summer cookouts, potlucks and neighborhood get togethers!
Made with simple ingredients, this delicious ranch pasta salad recipe comes together with minimal prep. It’s great to make ahead as a side dish served with grilled chicken, burgers, chops and sausage.
What do I need to make ranch pasta salad?
Here’s a quick-reference grocery list of the ingredients you’ll need to make this pasta salad recipe:
- Pasta – medium shells, bow-tie or rotini work well.
- Thick-cut bacon
- Grape tomatoes
- Frozen peas
- Green onions
- Plain Greek yogurt
- White vinegar
- Dried Parsley
- Garlic salt
- Onion powder
- Black Pepper
For exact ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions be sure to reference the recipe card at the bottom of this post. Thanks!
What type of pasta is best for a pasta salad?
Small to medium sized pasta is best for a pasta salad. Shell, penne, rigatoni, bow-tie, rotini, fusilli and gemelli are all great options for a pasta salad. I would not recommend long pasta, like spaghetti, fettuccini, linguini, angel hair or lasagna.
How long do I cook pasta for pasta salad?
When cooking pasta for pasta salad, only cook it to al dente or even 30 seconds short of al dente. Once the pasta is mixed with the dressing, it will absorb the dressing a soften. A slightly overcooked pasta will quickly become soft, gummy and will easily tear or fall apart after refrigeration.
Should I let pasta cool before adding the dressing?
Yes. When cooking pasta for pasta salad, drain from the water, then immediately rinse with cold water to stop the cooking. For best results, transfer the cooked and rinsed pasta to a sheet pan and place in the refrigerator before mixing with the dressing and other pasta salad ingredients.
How can I make pasta salad healthier?
A great way to cut down on calories in pasta salad is to substitute the mayonnaise for plain Greek yogurt. A 2% or 5% Greek yogurt (I like Fage brand) makes a great alternative to mayonnaise that contains unhealthy oils and fats.
If you’re looking for a delicious, healthy ranch option, my Greek Yogurt Ranch Dressing. At just 44 calories a serving, it’s the only way I do ranch. Soooo good! I also have a container of my Greek Yogurt Veggie Dip on hand at all times.
Ingredient Substitutions and Recommendations:
- Pasta – I used a medium shell pasta, however any medium-sized pasta will work well in this salad. Penne, rigatoni, bow-tie, rotini, fusilli and gemelli are all great options
- Greek yogurt – Greek yogurt is a great, healthier option for a creamy pasta salad. However, if you want other options, you can also do 1/2 Greek yogurt, 1/2 sour cream, or 1/2 sour cream and 1/2 mayonnaise. Look for a good quality mayonnaise, like the Primal Kitchen brand.
- Peas – if you’re not a fan of peas, you could certainly substitute another fresh vegetable, like diced celery, cucumbers or bell peppers.
FAQ’s about making pasta salad:
Before serving, it is best to chill a pasta salad 1-2 hours. This gives the dressing a chance to integrate with the rest of the ingredients and for the pasta to become cold.
Along with the bacon, lettuce and tomatoes, other ingredient options would be sliced olives, diced bell peppers, shredded cheese, avocado slices or pickled red onions.
A pasta salad can sit out at room temperature for 1-2 hours at most. If the salad is outdoors where temps are warm (like a cookout, picnic, or pot-luck), it is usually best to discard any leftover salad after the event.
If kept in an airtight container, refrigerated, a pasta salad can last for up to 5 days. After the second day, you may need to add extra dressing, as the pasta will likely absorb what was initially put on the salad.
Traditionally, a creamy salad dressing is made of either sour cream or mayonnaise. To reduce calories and unhealthy oils, using Greek yogurt is a great option for a cream salad dressing base.
Once pasta is coated with a dressing, the pasta absorbs the moisture, making it less creamy. To make leftover pasta salad creamy again, your best option is to add additional dressing to coat the pasta and other ingredients in the salad.
If you loved this delicious Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad recipe, check out some of my other salads and sides:
- Italian Tortellini Salad
- Lemon Orzo Pasta Salad
- Zesty Italian Pasta Salad
- Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
- Cucumber Tomato Avocado Salad
- Italian Chopped Salad
- Garden Vegetable Pasta Salad
- Watermelon Cucumber Salad
- Greek Tortellini Salad
- Strawberry Fluff Salad
- Peach Pretzel Salad
- Cherry Jello Pretzel Salad
- Classic Macaroni Salad
- Deviled Egg Potato Salad
- Calico Beans Recipe
- Tortellini Pasta Salad with Pesto
What can I serve with ranch pasta salad?
Pasta salad goes well with grilled meats, like chicken, pork chops, burgers and sausage. Here are some recipe ideas that go great with pasta salad:
- BBQ Grilled Chicken Drumsticks
- Salsa Burgers
- BBQ Bacon Burgers
- Grilled Steak Kabobs
- Philly Cheesesteak Sliders
- Grilled Boneless Chicken Thighs
- Italian Grilled Chicken
- Lemon Pepper Grilled Chicken
- Brown Sugar Balsamic Grilled Chicken
- Honey Bourbon BBQ Pork Chops
- Apple Cider Glazed Pork Chops
- Grilled Cedar Plank Salmon
- Apricot Glazed Grilled Pork Chops at Real Housemoms
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Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
Equipment
- Large Stock Pot or Dutch Oven Ideal for cooking pasta, this Dutch Oven is also fantastic for soups, stews and more!
- Mixing Bowls These stainless steel mixing bowls are an essential cooking tool for every kitchen.
- Mini Whisk Fantastic for mixing small-batch items like marinades, sauces and dressings!
Ingredients
- 10 oz. medium shell pasta or other medium pasta shape
- 1 pint grape tomatoes halved
- 1 cup bacon, thick cut cooked crisply, chopped
- 1 cup frozen peas thawed
- 1/3 cup green onions chopped (about 2 green onions)
Ranch Dressing:
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- 2 Tablespoons white vinegar
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- In large stock pot or Dutch oven, boil water to cook pasta. Cook to al dente package directions, but no longer. When done cooking, immediately drain and rinse with cold water to stop pasta from cooking. Transfer rinsed pasta to a sheet pan and refrigerate to chill.
- In a bowl, whisk together the dressing: yogurt, vinegar, parsley, garlic salt, onion powder and pepper.
- To a large mixing bowl, add the halved tomatoes, bacon, peas and onions. Add the chilled pasta and toss together gently. Pour dressing over the top and toss once again to coat all ingredients.
- Serve right away and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
This reminds me of my favorite salad I used to get in college that I can’t find anywhere – yum! Thanks for sharing, I’m excited to try this!
Sounds delicious Erin, perfect for a light summer dinner. I would like to invite you to come share on the new Share the Love Blog party. Open thru Thursday. Hope you can join us. http://homecookingrecipebox.blogspot.com/
This looks likes great salad, fresh with the tomatoes and what better than to taste like a BLT!I pinned to share!!
Thank you for hosting and stopping by the #OMHGFF this week. I hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Karren
This looks absolutely delicious and I’ve pinned it so that I can remember to make it soon! Thanks so much for sharing your recipe with us at Share The Wealth Sunday! xoxo
I love eating BLT’s all summer long so this salad is right up my alley! Simple and delicious!!
I just might have to make this today! Thank you for linking up to last week’s Tasty Tuesday linky. I have pinned your recipe to the Tasty Tuesday Pinterest board. I hope you’ll join us again this week.
Looking colorful and yummy !! Thank you for sharing with us at #HomeMattersParty. We would love to have you again next week.
This pasta salad screams summer! I’m always looking for fun pasta shapes to use, and really like this one. I’m going to have to try this recipe out
This looks so yummy! I love anything BLT, lol. Thank you for sharing at Dishing it and Digging it link party.
That looks really yummy and perfect for the upcoming summertime BBQ and pool parties! Thanks for sharing!
This salad is making my mouth water. YUM, what a perfect recipe for summer BBQ side dishes. Pinned to my Salads board! Thanks for linking up with us at the #HomeMattersParty this week.
Hi Erin! This looks absolutely delicious. Thank you so much for sharing with us at Dishing It & Digging It & congratulations on being featured this week!
Pasta salad is perfect for Memorial Day Weekend! You are featured at Family Fun Friday this week. http://www.happyandblessedhome.com/10-patriotic-crafts-and-easy-recipes-for-memorial-day-weekend/
Congratulations!
Your recipe was featured on Full Plate Thursday Top Ten. Your recipe has been pinned to our Feature’s and thanks so much for sharing with us!
Miz Helen
This sounds delicious. I think I could get my grandchildren to eat this one. I’m Pinning this one. Thanks for sharing.
Timing is everything! I immediately decided that your wonderful recipe is going to be my signature dish for the summer. Oh, okay, I’ll give you credit. It sounds delicious, and I can hardly wait to share it with family and friends. Thanks for the recipe. Cherry Kay
This looks so bright and fresh! Thanks for sharing at the What’s for Dinner party!
This is such a good-looking salad! I am sure it tastes yummy as well. Thanks for sharing at Fiesta Friday party!
Yum. Looks delicious and perfect for all the outdoor functions coming up. Thanks for sharing your pasta salad recipe on MM.
I will feature this tomorrow! It looked so good!
This looks like an incredible pasta salad recipe, Erin! You had me at “BLT” LOL! Thanks for linking up with us on Inspiration Monday this week and sharing your delicious recipe!
This looks delicious! And perfect for a picnic or backyard party!