We are a pasta loving family but there are times that I want something different. We make pasta salad a few different ways but it usually includes some thin salad dressing. This recipe is a bit different though and was created because I was running low of food supplies and needed a quick side dish. You can use low-fat or no-fat dressing if you want to make it less calories. I didn’t have any at the time but I think that artichokes would be really good in this or even olives (my husband would like that) or red onions. You can play with this one a bit. I made this super fast by using ready-cooked bacon and cut into small crumbles. You can fry bacon or use what I did… either way, you are sure to love this one!
Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
Author: Stefany
Ingredients
- Pasta, cooked and drained
- Bacon, cooked and crumbled
- Parmesan cheese
- Ranch salad dressing
- Salt and pepper to taste
- You can also include things such as onion, olives, or artichokes.
Instructions
- After cooking and draining the noodles, add to large mixing bowl.
- Add ranch to coat noodles (not enough to be draining off when you pick up a noodle). Mix well.
- Add bacon crumbles and parmesan cheese to the mixture and mix well.
- Salt and Pepper to taste.
This won’t be a great one to travel to picnics because you will have to keep it cool due to the ranch. But, it sure is good and will be a hit at any gathering. Let me know if you try it. I would love to hear what you think!
Sounds like you really enjoyed the dish! I don’t eat meat or gluten. I do buy spelt bread and ancient wheat for family members though. Take care! 🙂
I made pasta salad yesterday. One of my absolute faves. 🙂
Holy yum! Bacon and Pasta? What’s not to love!
This would be a great side for our Labor Day party this year. Looks easy enough to whip up!
This sounds fantastic. I especially love the addition of bacon (because I, for some reason, wouldn’t have thought of that.)
son would love this salad it has two of his favorite things bacon and ranch.
I tend to eat a lot of pasta (being single and living alone). This definitely sounds like a dish I am going to try. It sounds delicious.
That is actually similar to the pasta salad recipe I already make – minus the bacon. Guess what I am putting in there next time, though 🙂
I’ll surely skip on the bacon since I’m a vegetarian but won’t hesitate to double up on the veggies! Thanks for sharing! Looks great and easy to prepare. 🙂
Ok I need a fed ex account so I can have you send me some of that…I love ranch dressing!
haha Christine! My kids do as well which is why this recipe came to be. We always have ranch!