4.5 from 12 votes
Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
Creamy bacon ranch pasta salad is packed full of delicious dressing, tender pasta, juicy tomatoes, cheese and crispy vegetables. The perfect side for a BBQ, potluck or dinner!
Prep Time
21 mins
Cook Time
21 mins
Additional Time
1 hr
Total Time
1 hr 29 mins
Servings: 8 Servings
Calories: 781 kcal
Course:
Side Dish , Salad
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 16 ounces cavatappi pasta Or another short shaped pasta
- 1 pound Bacon small diced
- 8 ounces Colby jack cheese diced small
- 1 pint grape tomatoes cut in half lengthwise
- 4 green onions thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup red onion thinly sliced
- 2 1/2 cups ranch dressing about 20 ounces
- 4 cups romaine lettuce diced, optional
Instructions
- Boil a large pot of salted water. Add the dried cavatappi pasta and cook until al dente, usually 9 minutes but check the package. Drain the pasta in a colander and rinse with cold water. Toss pasta in the colander to drip dry the pasta as much as possible.
- Dice bacon and add to a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the bacon until crispy, about 5-6 minutes. Drain any excess fat from the pan. Line a plate with paper towels and add the bacon. Use the paper towels to soak up any excess grease then set to the side.
- Dice the Colby Jack Cheese into small cubes then set to the side. Slice the grape tomatoes in half and set to the side.
- Slice the red onion as thinly as possible. Remove the roots from the green onions and chop thinly the rest of the green onion, both the green and white portions.
- Pat the pasta dry with paper towels to remove any excess liquid. Add the cooked pasta, Colby Jack cheese, tomatoes, scallions, red onion, and ranch into a very large bowl and toss to combine. Cover and chill the pasta salad in the fridge for at least 1 hour or until ready to serve.
- Right before serving add the cooked bacon and optional lettuce. Toss to combine then serve and enjoy!
Cup of Yum
Nutrition Information
Calories
781kcal
(39%)
Carbohydrates
52g
(17%)
Protein
20g
(40%)
Fat
55g
(85%)
Saturated Fat
15g
(75%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
22g
Monounsaturated Fat
15g
Trans Fat
1g
Cholesterol
65mg
(22%)
Sodium
1044mg
(44%)
Potassium
489mg
(14%)
Fiber
3g
(12%)
Sugar
7g
(14%)
Vitamin A
2920IU
(58%)
Vitamin C
11mg
(12%)
Calcium
248mg
(25%)
Iron
2mg
(11%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 8Servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 781
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 781kcal | 39% |
| Carbohydrates | 52g | 17% |
| Protein | 20g | 40% |
| Fat | 55g | 85% |
| Saturated Fat | 15g | 75% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 22g | 129% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 15g | 75% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 65mg | 22% |
| Sodium | 1044mg | 44% |
| Potassium | 489mg | 10% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 7g | 14% |
| Vitamin A | 2920IU | 58% |
| Vitamin C | 11mg | 12% |
| Calcium | 248mg | 25% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.