Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad is the perfect side dish for all your summer BBQs! Pasta, crispy bacon, cheddar cheese, tomatoes, and peas in a creamy ranch dressing.
Try our Deviled Egg Pasta Salad and Broccoli Grape Pasta Salad too!
Originally published June 24, 2015. Updated April 28, 2024.
One thing I can always count on: my kids love anything that involves bacon and ranch.
This has been a favorite pasta salad in my house for years and years. It’s full of so many different textures all tossed in creamy garlicky ranch dressing. It goes so well with all the summer BBQ foods – burgers, hot dogs, ribs, everything!
Plus, it takes less than 20 minutes to put together!
Ingredients
- Pasta – I used rotini (spiral) pasta but you can use any small pasta shape. Elbows, shells, or farfalle would all work.
- Bacon – pork or turkey bacon work for this recipe.
- Mayo – this is the base of your pasta salad dressing.
- Dry ranch seasoning mix – you can’t make ranch pasta salad without ranch dressing!
- Garlic powder – just for a little extra garlic flavor.
- Black pepper – the ranch mix has plenty of salt so we’re just adding black pepper.
- Grape tomatoes – you can use any kind of tomato but if you are using a larger, juicier tomato, squeeze most of the liquid and seeds out before dicing.
- Frozen peas – let them thaw while you prepare the rest of the ingredients. They are already cooked so they really just need to thaw out a bit.
- Cheddar cheese – use sharp or mild cheddar, whichever you prefer.
How To Make Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
- Cook pasta. Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain and rinse under cold water.
- Cook bacon. Cook bacon until crisp. Drain on paper towels and crumble.
- Make dressing. Whisk together mayo, ranch seasoning mix, garlic powder, black pepper, and milk until smooth.
- Add remaining ingredients. Add cooked pasta, crispy bacon, tomatoes, peas, and cheddar cheese.
- Chill. Chill for at least an hour before serving.
How Long Is It Good For?
Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad will be good for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. Make sure to store it in an airtight container.
Can You Make It Ahead?
This pasta salad needs to be made at least an hour ahead but can be made several hours ahead if you need to.
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More Summer Side Dishes
- Pineapple Baked Beans
- Dill Pickle Potato Salad
- Italian Pasta Salad
- Root Beer Baked Beans
- Southwest Orzo Salad
Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad is the perfect side dish for all your summer BBQs! Pasta, crispy bacon, cheddar cheese, tomatoes, and peas in a creamy ranch dressing.
Ingredients
- 12 ounces rotini pasta (or other small pasta shape)
- 8 slices bacon
- 1 cup mayo
- 3 tablespoons dry ranch seasoning mix
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup milk
- 1 cup cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup frozen peas, thawed
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package instructions. Once cooked, drain and rinse under cold water. Set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook bacon until crisp. Drain on paper towels and crumble once cool enough to handle. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together mayo, ranch seasoning mix, garlic powder, black pepper, and milk until smooth.
- Stir in cooked pasta, crispy bacon, tomatoes, peas, and cheddar cheese.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
12Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 275Total Fat: 20gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 14gCholesterol: 26mgSodium: 531mgCarbohydrates: 15gFiber: 2gSugar: 3gProtein: 8g
Mariah @ Mariah's Pleasing Plates says
This pasta has everything I loveeee! You even got the avocado in there!! This is a must make for us this summer! Pinning for later! ;-)
Sara says
I ate a ton of ranch when I was pregnant with my youngest so it’s not really a surprise that ranch is her favorite too! This looks delicious
Amanda says
This looks yummy!
Krista @ Joyful Healthy Eats says
You had me at bacon!
Stephanie says
Yeah, I would eat way too much of this. Yum!
Denise | Sweet Peas & Saffron says
Those are definitely three of my favorite flavors, too! Love the looks of this salad (and I”m with you on the potato salad, just not my thing!)
Amy @Very Culinary says
Oh, yes. Yes to all of that. Pasta salad is my lifeline during baseball season. And soccer season. And school…. oh, wait. So, pretty much all year. I want!
Kate @ Diethood says
Pasta salads and bacon! YEAH, I love your faves! This salad sounds perfect with ranch dressing!
Chandra@The Plaid & Paisley Kitchen says
I too love a good Pasta Salad. This has everything I love!
Kacey @ The Cookie Writer says
Bacon, ranch and pasta?! Yeah, my sister is going to be all over this (minus the olives, we just cannot bring ourselves to love olives.) I need to find me some Newman’s dressing.
Kim (Feed Me, Seymour) says
I won’t lie, I partially buy Newman’s own because I love love love Paul Newman… But their products are really affordable and delicious! This pasta salad looks perfect and I think I have some ranch on hand. I know what I”ll be doing later!
Heather @ Sugar Dish Me says
I am with you on the pasta salad! It’s the best summer side. And I super love Newman’s Own. Such a great company with such great products. They were turning out food made with quality ingredients before it was even the cool thing.