Elevate your pasta salad game with this Flavorful Broccoli Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad—a delicious medley of blanched broccoli, crispy bacon, sweet cherry tomatoes, creamy cheddar cheese, and tender sweet peas, all tossed in a tangy ranch dressing. Bursting with colors, textures, and flavors, this salad is perfect for picnics, potlucks, or as a satisfying side dish for any occasion. With a homemade ranch dressing that adds a creamy and zesty touch, this pasta salad is sure to become a favorite among family and friends. Let’s dive into creating this irresistible dish that’s guaranteed to please everyone at the table!
Ingredients:
- 4 cups broccoli florets, blanched and chopped into smaller bites
- 10 slices bacon, cooked, drained of fat, and chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, whole
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup sweet peas, cooked
- 8 oz pasta shells, cooked
Ranch Dressing:
- 2/3 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons dry Ranch mix
Instructions:
- Begin by blanching the broccoli florets: Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the broccoli florets and cook for 1-2 minutes, until they are bright green and slightly tender. Immediately transfer the blanched broccoli to a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process. Once cooled, drain the broccoli and chop it into smaller, bite-sized pieces.
- Cook the bacon slices until crispy. Drain the excess fat and chop the cooked bacon into small pieces.
- Cook the pasta shells according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside to cool.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the blanched and chopped broccoli, cooked and chopped bacon, whole cherry tomatoes, shredded sharp cheddar cheese, cooked sweet peas, and cooked pasta shells.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, milk, and dry Ranch mix until smooth and well combined.
- Pour the Ranch dressing over the pasta salad ingredients in the mixing bowl.
- Using salad tongs or a large spoon, toss the pasta salad until all the ingredients are evenly coated with the Ranch dressing.
- Once everything is well combined and coated in the dressing, cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld and the salad to chill.
- Before serving, give the pasta salad a final toss to redistribute the dressing. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.
- Serve the Flavorful Broccoli Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad chilled, and enjoy the delicious combination of crispy bacon, tender broccoli, creamy cheddar cheese, and tangy Ranch dressing with every forkful!
Conclusion: With its vibrant colors, bold flavors, and satisfying textures, this Flavorful Broccoli Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad is sure to be a hit at your next gathering. Whether served as a side dish or a standalone meal, this salad offers a delightful combination of ingredients that will leave everyone coming back for more. So, whip up a batch of this delicious pasta salad and watch it disappear in no time as family and friends indulge in its irresistible charm!