Addictive Crack Pasta Salad (Print Version)
Creamy ranch-bacon pasta salad with crunchy veggies and bold flavors, ready in 25 minutes.
# What You Need:
→ Pasta
01 - 12 oz rotini or penne pasta
→ Dressing
02 - 3/4 cup mayonnaise
03 - 1/2 cup sour cream
04 - 1 packet (30 g) ranch seasoning mix
05 - 1–2 tbsp milk, as needed
→ Veggies & Add-ins
06 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
07 - 1 cup yellow or red bell pepper, diced
08 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
09 - 1/2 cup cooked bacon bits
10 - 1/2 cup green onions, thinly sliced
11 - 3/4 cup frozen peas, thawed
# Preparation Steps:
01 - Boil pasta in salted water until al dente, then drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking. Set aside to cool completely.
02 - In a large bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, ranch seasoning, and 1 tablespoon of milk. Add more milk if a thinner consistency is desired.
03 - Add the cooled pasta to the dressing and toss until evenly coated.
04 - Gently fold in cherry tomatoes, bell pepper, shredded cheddar, bacon bits, green onions, and thawed peas.
05 - Mix until everything is evenly combined. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
06 - Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld before serving.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The creamy ranch dressing clings to every single curl of pasta so no bite is bland
- It comes together in 25 minutes flat with zero cooking skills required
02 -
- Skip the cold water rinse and your pasta will keep cooking into a gummy mess that ruins the whole texture
- Letting it chill for a full hour instead of thirty makes a bigger flavor difference than you would expect
03 -
- Use freshly cooked bacon crumbled by hand instead of store bought bits for a way better smoky flavor
- Taste the dressed pasta before chilling because you can always add more ranch mix or a pinch of salt right then