This Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad is a hearty, flavorful dish that’s perfect for potlucks, picnics, or as a quick family meal. Packed with crispy bacon, tender chicken, fresh veggies, and a creamy ranch-style dressing, this salad is satisfying and easy to make. It’s a crowd-pleaser that works as a side dish or a main course.
Ingredients
For the Salad:
- 8 ounces rigatoni, shells, rotini, or penne (cooked and drained)
- 8 slices bacon (cooked and crumbled)
- 2 cups cooked, chopped chicken
- 2 green onions (thinly sliced, divided)
- 1 cup grape tomatoes (halved)
- ½ cup diced cheddar cheese (cut into ¼-inch cubes)
- ½ avocado (for garnish, optional)
For the Dressing:
- ⅓ cup mayonnaise
- ⅓ cup sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons milk (or as needed)
- 2 teaspoons chopped fresh chives (or 1 teaspoon dried)
- 2 teaspoons of freshly chopped dill (or 1 teaspoon if using dried
- 2 teaspoons of finely chopped parsley (or 1 ½ teaspoons dried parsley)
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until it reaches al dente texture, following the package directions. Once done, drain the pasta and rinse it with cold water to halt the cooking. Set aside.
- Prepare the Bacon and Chicken : Cook the bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy. If not already cooked, prepare the chicken by grilling, baking, or sautéing it until fully cooked. Chop into bite-sized pieces.
- Make the Dressing : In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream (or Greek yogurt), and milk until smooth.Mix in the chives, dill, parsley, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. If the mixture is too thick, thin it out by adding more milk to reach your desired consistency.
- Assemble the Salad : In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, crumbled bacon, chopped chicken, half of the green onions, grape tomatoes, and diced cheddar cheese.Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat all the ingredients evenly.
- Garnish and Serve : Top the salad with the remaining green onions and slices of avocado, if using. Serve immediately or refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors meld.
Conclusion
This Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad combines creamy, smoky, and savory flavors with a medley of textures for a dish that’s as satisfying as it is versatile. Enjoy it chilled on a warm day, or bring it to your next gathering for a guaranteed hit. It’s a simple recipe that delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort!
Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
A creamy and flavorful pasta salad with bacon,chicken, fresh veggies, and a ranch-inspired dressing, perfect as a side ormain dish.
Ingredients
For the Salad:
- 8 ounces rigatoni shells, rotini, or penne (cooked and drained)
- 8 slices bacon cooked and crumbled
- 2 cups cooked chopped chicken
- 2 green onions thinly sliced, divided
- 1 cup grape tomatoes halved
- ½ cup diced cheddar cheese cut into ¼-inch cubes
- ½ avocado for garnish, optional
For the Dressing:
- ⅓ cup mayonnaise
- ⅓ cup sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons milk or as needed
- 2 teaspoons chopped fresh chives or 1 teaspoon dried
- 2 teaspoons of freshly chopped dill (or 1 teaspoon if using dried
- 2 teaspoons of finely chopped parsley or 1 ½ teaspoons dried parsley
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until it reaches al dente texture, following the package directions. Once done, drain the pasta and rinse it with cold water to halt the cooking. Set aside.
- Prepare the Bacon and Chicken : Cook the bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy. If not already cooked, prepare the chicken by grilling, baking, or sautéing it until fully cooked. Chop into bite-sized pieces.
- Make the Dressing : In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream (or Greek yogurt), and milk until smooth. Mix in the chives, dill, parsley, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. If the mixture is too thick, thin it out by adding more milk to reach your desired consistency.
- Assemble the Salad : In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, crumbled bacon, chopped chicken, half of the green onions, grape tomatoes, and diced cheddar cheese. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat all the ingredients evenly.
- Garnish and Serve : Top the salad with the remaining green onions and slices of avocado, if using. Serve immediately or refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors meld.