Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad Recipe
Bacon-Ranch Pasta Salad
Follow our easy, step-by-step, photo illustrated instructions to learn how to make this delicious pasta salad. I mean, c’mon, it’s got Ranch and Bacon. Printable recipe included.
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A cool and refreshing pasta salad that makes for a great side dish, or just eat it by the bowl full. The flavors of Ranch Dressing and Bacon make for an awesome combination.
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I am so proud of the Dill from my garden that I had to find a recipe to use some of it in. Only needed two teaspoons, but that was enough to get excited about. And, the bacon and Ranch seasoning didn’t hurt. Smile.
Years back, my wife made something very similar to this from a box mix. It was one of those things that you liked so much, that you ate it real often and then got tired of it. Ever done that?
I hadn’t had this in a very long time, so when I discovered this recipe and saw that it used fresh Dill, I knew I wanted to give it a try. I made a few tweaks, so I hope you’ll like it as much as I did should you try it.
This summer is the very first time I’ve had a container garden on my back deck. I had one tomato plant, and one small pot filled with Dill.
For reasons I’ve still yet to figure out, I had a packet of Dill seeds on my desk. They were probably a year or more old, but they did come up. So, I’ve called this the Taste of Southern FARM ever since.
Sadly, this was the only time I got to try any of the Dill though. Caterpillars found the plant and about four of them stripped every single leaf of Dill off the stems. Can you imagine eating nothing but all that Dill?
So much for farming. Smile.
Please share your results with me in the Comment section at the end of the recipe if you try it. I enjoy hearing how it turns out for others.
Ready to give our recipe a try? Alright then, let’s head on out to the kitchen, and… Let’s Get Cooking!
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Bacon-Ranch Pasta Salad Recipe – You’ll need these ingredients.
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Prepare the 12oz package of Shell Pasta according to the directions on the box. Drain and set aside.
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You’ll need about 8 strips of cooked Bacon. Chop it up into small pieces. Set aside.
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You’ll need one cup of chopped Roma Tomatoes. I removed the seeds and then chopped up the tomatoes.
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Place one cup of Sour Cream in a large mixing bowl. I just used the same pot I had boiled my pasta in. No need to mess up another dish, right?
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Add 1/2 cup of Duke’s Mayonnaise. You have to know by now that Duke’s is my favorite. Smile.
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Add one teaspoon of Apple Cider Vinegar.
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Add 1/2 teaspoon of Garlic Powder.
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Add the packet of Ranch Seasoning.
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Grab a large spoon and stir everything together.
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Add the cooked and drained shell pasta.
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Add the chopped bacon.
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Add 1 cup of the shredded Parmesan Cheese.
This is one of the very few times you’ll ever see me add a packaged cheese. I could have bought a block of parmesan, but it’s a bit expensive and more than I would need. Don’t judge me.
I prefer to grate my own cheese when possible. It’s much better than using the packaged grated cheese that has that white powdery stuff on it. Smile.
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Add the one cup of chopped Roma Tomatoes.
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I’m using fresh Dill, right off of the “farm.” I grew this in a plastic container out on the back deck this summer. I had one pot of Dill, and one whole tomato plant. That is enough to be considered a “farm” isn’t it?
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You’ll need two teaspoons of fresh Dill. I just pinched the leaves off the harder stems and tossed them into the bowl with all the other ingredients.
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Gently fold everything together until it’s all fully combined.
Cover and refrigerate for TWO HOURS before serving.
This will let all the flavors blend together.
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Enjoy!
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Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: Varies
- Category: Pasta
- Method: Stove top
- Cuisine: American, Southern
Description
The combination of bacon and ranch seasoning make an excellent pasta dish combined with sour cream, mayonnaise and tomatoes. What’s not to love about this?
Ingredients
12oz Shell Pasta, cooked according to package directions.
8 strips cooked Bacon, chopped
1 cup Sour Cream
1/2 cup Duke’s Mayonnaise
1 teaspoon Apple Cider Vinegar
1 pkg. Ranch Seasoning (0.4oz)
1/2 teaspoon Garlic Powder
1 cup Parmesan Cheese, shredded
1 cup Roma Tomatoes, seeds removed, chopped.
2 teaspoons Dill, freshly chopped.
Instructions
Prepare pasta shells according to package directions. Drain. Set aside.
Chop the bacon.
Place sour cream in a large mixing bowl.
Add the mayonnaise.
Add the apple cider vinegar.
Add the ranch seasoning.
Add garlic powder.
Stir ingredients until fully combined.
Add the cooked and drained pasta.
Add the chopped bacon.
Add the parmesan cheese.
Add the tomatoes.
Add the chopped Dill.
Fold ingredients together until pasta shells are fully coated.
Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours prior to serving.
Enjoy
Keywords: shell pasta, bacon, ranch seasoning, mayonnaise, Duke's mayonnaise, sour cream, Roma tomato, side dish,
Your Comments:
Have you tried our Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad? How did you like it?
Share your memories of this dish with us. It will only take a minute or two for you to leave your comments in the section below.
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Be Blessed!!!
Steve
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Category: Main Dishes, Pasta, Side Dishes
I made this tonight & added red & green bell pepper just bc I like it. No bacon grease was used just bacon. It was excellent. We had fried ham & croissants for a complete meal. Thank you Steve. This is my 2nd recipe from you. Now I want that Pig Picking Cake.
★★★★★
Can’t wait to try this, think I might add some peas to this, for some reason peas in this salad sound good to me. Thanks for the recipe.
Pasta salad is a family favorite. I always have to make it if my granddaughter, Susan, comes to visit (before pandemic). But when I make it for her, it has to have 3 kinds of olives in it.
Thanks, Steve, this is a really good recipe especially for potlucks and picnics.
You talked about dill, well let me share my experience. I haven’t been able to grow dill since moving to Tennessee 15 years ago. Grew it well when we lived in Michigan had plenty in the garden. So I resort to the farmers market. I think it knows I love it, my husband doesn’t and it is just a stubborn child.
Thank you again, keep up the great work and be well. Bless you. Marlene
★★★★
Hi:
I just want you to know that you are a blessing to me.I look forward to Mondays. Today’s recipe is similar to one I make, but I am going to try it your way this time
The world needs more people like you. I will be joining you in prayer and I’ll be fasting also on Mondays.
Sorry about the dill. Mine just isn’t growing for some reason. I ground some dill seeds to use for cooking, but there’s nothing like the flavor of fresh dill.
When my 6 kids were growing up I would put up 30 or 40 quarts of pickles every year using dill from our garden and we always ran out before the next canning season. I think We were addicted to pickles. ! I’m now in my 80’s, and how I miss those good old days and those pickles. Store bought ones just don’t have the flavor of home canned.
God bless you and give you a great week.
Just reading this week’s email. Guess what? I too came up with a recipe for dill.
It is a seafood salad as I call it. It can of course be adjusted to taste and for the amount you wish to make. Here is roughly the recipe as I make it.
1-2 cup Macaroni Shells (looks like sea shells).1 package of Imitation Crab meat – shredded by hand.1-2 cup Frozen Green Peas1 Red Pepper chopped
1 sprig of fresh dill finely diced.Fresh Oregano (add to taste)
1/2 – 1 cup Dukes Mayonnaise (to taste)Optional 1/4 Tsp of fresh minced garlic
Boil the Macaroni shells for about 10 minutes, drain and add a tablespoon butter or margarine while shells are warm – sprinkle some grated parmesan cheese on shells.Combine the shells,fresh dill,Imitation Crab Meat, Oregano, Red Pepper with the frozen sweet peas.Stir till well mixed. Refrigerate for 3- 4 hours to allow for slow thaw of peas, and the flavors to marinate. Serve as a cold salad with Captain’s Wafers or Club Crackers.I also make a variation of this using cold boiled shrimp instead of the Imitation Crab meat.