Hamdi Saidani This Pioneer Woman Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad Recipe is a creamy and easy recipe, which is made with crispy bacon and sharp cheddar cheese. It’s the perfect side dish for a potluck, ready in about 35 minutes.
Pioneer Woman Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad Recipe Ingredients
- 2 tsp. kosher salt, plus more for pasta water and to taste
- 1 (12-oz.) package bacon
- 1 lb. cavatappi pasta
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1/4 cup flat-leaf parsley, chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh dill, chopped, plus more for topping
- 1 1/2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
- 1 garlic clove, grated
- 1 tsp. ground black pepper, plus more to taste
- 1 pt. grape tomatoes, halved
- 6 oz. sharp cheddar cheese, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
- 1 cup frozen peas, thawed
- 1 (4-oz.) container pimentos, drained
- 1 (3.8-oz.) can sliced black olives, drained
- 4 green onions, thinly sliced
How To Make Pioneer Woman Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad Recipe
- Cook the bacon: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon until golden and crispy, about 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to cool, then crumble into bite-sized pieces.
- Cook the pasta: While the bacon cooks, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta for 1 minute longer than the package directs. Drain the pasta and rinse it under cold water to cool it down completely.
- Make the dressing: In a large serving bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, buttermilk, parsley, dill, lemon juice, grated garlic, salt, and pepper until smooth.
- Combine and serve: To the bowl with the dressing, add the cooled pasta, tomatoes, cheese, peas, pimentos, olives, green onions, and half of the crumbled bacon. Toss until everything is well combined. Top the salad with the remaining bacon and more fresh dill before serving.
Recipe Tips
- How to keep pasta salad from getting dry? If making the salad a day ahead, reserve about a third of the dressing and stir it in just before serving to make it creamy again.
- Can I make this ahead of time? Yes, this salad is perfect for making ahead. The flavors get even better as it sits. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a day.
- Why overcook the pasta slightly? Pasta tends to firm up as it cools and absorbs a cold dressing. Cooking it for an extra minute ensures that it will have the perfect tender, chewy texture in the final salad.
- What’s the best pasta for this salad? A pasta with plenty of ridges and curves like cavatappi (corkscrew) is perfect for catching all of the creamy ranch dressing. Rotini or fusilli would also be great choices.
What To Serve With Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
This is a classic, crowd-pleasing side dish that’s perfect for any casual get-together.
- Grilled Hamburgers or Hot Dogs
- BBQ Pulled Pork or Chicken
- Fried Chicken
- A simple grilled steak
How To Store Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
- Refrigerate: Store leftover pasta salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will keep for up to 3 days, though the pasta may absorb more of the dressing over time.
Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 460 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Protein: 16g
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Sodium: 980mg
- Fiber: 4g
- Sugar: 6g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
Why rinse the pasta with cold water?
For a cold pasta salad, rinsing the pasta under cold water is crucial. It immediately stops the cooking process to prevent the pasta from getting mushy, and it cools it down so it doesn’t melt the cheese or warm the dressing.
Can I use a different kind of cheese?
Yes, while sharp cheddar is a great choice, you could also use cubed Colby, Monterey Jack, or even a spicy pepper jack for a different flavor.
Can I use a packet of ranch seasoning?
You can, but the combination of fresh parsley, dill, and garlic in this homemade dressing provides a much brighter, fresher flavor than a pre-made seasoning packet.
Try More Pioneer Woman Recipes:
- Pioneer Woman Wedge Salad Recipe
- Pioneer Woman Waldorf Salad Recipe
- Pioneer Woman Italian Pasta Salad Recipe
Pioneer Woman Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad Recipe
Description
A creamy, classic, and fully loaded pasta salad with crispy bacon, sharp cheddar, and a fresh, homemade buttermilk-ranch dressing.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Cook bacon until crispy; cool and crumble.
- Cook pasta 1 minute longer than directed; drain and rinse with cold water until cool.
- In a large bowl, whisk all dressing ingredients together until smooth.
- Add the cooled pasta and all remaining salad ingredients (except for half the bacon) to the bowl.
- Toss everything together until well coated.
- Top with the remaining bacon and extra fresh dill before serving.
Notes
- u003cliu003eRinsing the pasta in cold water is a key step to cool it down and stop the cooking process.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eThis is a perfect make-ahead salad for a crowd, as the flavors get even better as it sits.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eThe homemade ranch dressing with fresh herbs is what makes this salad truly special.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eReserving half the bacon to sprinkle on top right before serving ensures it stays crispy.u003c/liu003e
