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Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
5 from 3 votes

Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

This Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad recipe features elbow macaroni and bites of bacon, bell pepper, tomato, and cheddar cheese, all folded together in a creamy, tangy ranch dressing. It's a potluck side that's a guaranteed crowd-pleaser!

Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 452 kcal
Course: Salad

Ingredients

  • 16 ounces elbow macaroni uncooked
  • 1 cup Roma tomato seeded and diced
  • 1 cup green bell pepper diced
  • ¼ cup red onion minced
  • 10 lices Bacon chopped, cooked
  • 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese thick shredded
  • ¾ cup mayonnaise such as Hellman's (do not use "salad dressing" such as Miracle Whip, good quality
  • ¼ cup sour cream full-fat
  • 3 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 1 packet 1 ounce Hidden Valley "The Original" Ranch Seasoning, or 3 tablespoons bulk
  • 1½ teaspoons black pepper ground

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Cook macaroni according to package instructions, until just al dente. Transfer cooked macaroni to a colander and run cold water over it until thoroughly cooled. Drain VERY well.
  2. Transfer drained macaroni to a large mixing bowl and add the tomato, green pepper, red onion, bacon, and cheddar. Fold to combine.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, rice vinegar, ranch seasoning, and black pepper.
  4. Pour the dressing over the macaroni mixture and fold to combine - enjoy immediately, if you like. Otherwise, if you're planning to chill it first, reserve about ⅓ cup of the dressing and store it in a covered container in the fridge. Fold the rest of the dressing into the salad, cover the salad tightly, and refrigerate. When you're ready to eat it, fold the reserved dressing into the salad, then enjoy.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1 Calories 452kcal (23%) Carbohydrates 24g (8%) Protein 17g (34%) Fat 32g (49%) Saturated Fat 10g (50%) Polyunsaturated Fat 19g (112%) Cholesterol 55mg (18%) Sodium 839mg (35%) Fiber 2g (8%) Sugar 3g (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 8 servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 452

% Daily Value*

Serving 1
Calories 452kcal 23%
Carbohydrates 24g 8%
Protein 17g 34%
Fat 32g 49%
Saturated Fat 10g 50%
Polyunsaturated Fat 19g 112%
Cholesterol 55mg 18%
Sodium 839mg 35%
Fiber 2g 8%
Sugar 3g 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.