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Creamy Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad - A Crowd-Pleasing Classic

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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 12 ounces short pasta (rotini, bowtie, or shells)
  • 8 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked and crumbled
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cup cucumber, diced (seeded if watery)
  • 1/2 cup red onion, finely diced
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1/3 cup sliced green onions (optional, for freshness)
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill or parsley (optional)
  • 3/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/2 cup sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
  • 1/3 cup buttermilk (or regular milk with a squeeze of lemon)
  • 1 packet ranch seasoning mix (about 1 ounce) or 3 tablespoons homemade
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice or apple cider vinegar
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Method
 

  1. Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until just al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool quickly, then shake off excess water.
  2. Cook the bacon: While the pasta cooks, crisp the bacon in a skillet over medium heat. Transfer to a paper towel–lined plate and crumble once cooled.
  3. Make the dressing: In a bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, buttermilk, ranch seasoning, Dijon, lemon juice, garlic powder, onion powder, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Adjust thickness with extra buttermilk as needed. It should coat the pasta easily.
  4. Prep the veggies: Halve the tomatoes, dice the cucumber, and finely chop the red onion. Pat veggies dry if very wet to avoid thinning the dressing.
  5. Combine: In a large mixing bowl, add cooled pasta, tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, cheddar, and most of the bacon. Pour in about 3/4 of the dressing and toss until everything is coated.
  6. Taste and adjust: Add more dressing, salt, and pepper as needed. Stir in green onions and fresh herbs if using.
  7. Chill: Cover and refrigerate for at least 30–45 minutes so the flavors meld. The pasta will absorb some dressing as it rests.
  8. Finish and serve: Before serving, give it a quick toss and add a splash of buttermilk or a spoonful of dressing if it looks dry. Top with the remaining bacon for extra crunch.