Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
This Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad is a delightful mix of creamy dressing, crispy bacon, and tender pasta, combined with fresh vegetables and chicken. It’s a perfect dish for gatherings, offering a satisfying blend of flavors and textures that everyone will enjoy.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Lunch
- Method: No bake
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces medium pasta (shells, rotini, penne, or rigatoni)
- 8 slices bacon
- 2 cups chopped cooked chicken
- 1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup cheddar cheese, cut into 1/4-inch cubes
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced, divided
- 1/2 avocado, sliced (optional, for garnish)
- 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 and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, milk, chives, dill, parsley, onion powder, and garlic powder. Mix in 1 tablespoon of bacon grease if desired.
- In a large skillet, cook the bacon over medium heat until crisp. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to cool, then chop or crumble into pieces.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, chopped chicken, halved grape tomatoes, cheddar cheese, and most of the green onions. Toss with the prepared dressing, adjusting the amount to taste.
- Cover and refrigerate the salad for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld together.
- Before serving, garnish with the reserved bacon, green onions, and sliced avocado if using.
Nutrition
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 70mg