5.0 from 156 votes
Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
A delicious combination of pasta, chicken, bacon, cheddar, avocado and homemade ranch dressing!
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
45 mins
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 413 kcal
Course:
Side Dish , Main Course , Salad
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 8 ounces rigatoni shells, rotini, or penne
- 8 lices Bacon
- 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
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 chopped fresh dill or 1 teaspoon dried
- 2 teaspoons chopped fresh parsley or 1 ½ teaspoon dried
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, sour cream, milk, chives, dill, parsley, onion powder, and garlic powder.
- In a large skillet, cook the bacon over medium heat until crisp. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to cool. If desired, whisk 1 tablespoon bacon grease into the dressing.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook al dente according to package directions. Drain well and rinse under cold water.
- Set aside 1 tablespoon of green onions and half of the bacon for garnish.
- In a large bowl, combine drained pasta, half of the bacon, chicken, tomatoes, green onions, and cheese. Add dressing to taste (you may not use all of the dressing) and toss well to combine. Refrigerate 1 hour before serving.
- Garnish with sliced avocado if using and remaining bacon and green onion.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Use rotisserie chicken or leftover chicken.
- For a quick dressing, replace the seasonings and herbs with a packet of ranch dressing mix. The dressing can also be replaced with store-bought ranch dressing.
- Leftover pasta salad can be kept in the fridge in a covered container for up to 4 days. Stir before re-serving.
Nutrition Information
Serving
1g
Calories
413
(21%)
Carbohydrates
32g
(11%)
Protein
15g
(30%)
Fat
25g
(38%)
Saturated Fat
7g
(35%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
8g
Monounsaturated Fat
8g
Trans Fat
1g
Cholesterol
47mg
(16%)
Sodium
344mg
(14%)
Potassium
361mg
(10%)
Fiber
3g
(12%)
Sugar
3g
(6%)
Vitamin A
512IU
(10%)
Vitamin C
7mg
(8%)
Calcium
106mg
(11%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 413
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1g | |
| Calories | 413 | 21% |
| Carbohydrates | 32g | 11% |
| Protein | 15g | 30% |
| Fat | 25g | 38% |
| Saturated Fat | 7g | 35% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 8g | 47% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 8g | 40% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 47mg | 16% |
| Sodium | 344mg | 14% |
| Potassium | 361mg | 8% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 3g | 6% |
| Vitamin A | 512IU | 10% |
| Vitamin C | 7mg | 8% |
| Calcium | 106mg | 11% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.