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Creamy Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad: The Best Southern Side

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This Creamy Southern Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad is the perfect recreation of a beloved roadside deli dish. With a velvety ranch dressing, smoky bacon, and tender pasta, it’s a crowd-pleasing side that tastes even better after chilling.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 16 ounces rotini pasta (or any short pasta with ridges)
  • 1 pound bacon, cooked until crispy and crumbled
  • 1 packet ranch seasoning mix
  • 1 cup mayonnaise (full-fat)
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • ¼ cup buttermilk
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • ½ cup sliced green onions (white and green parts)
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a rolling boil. Add the rotini and cook according to package directions until al dente, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain in a colander and rinse briefly with cool water to stop the cooking process. Shake well to remove excess water.
  2. Cook the bacon: While the pasta cooks, lay the bacon strips in a cold skillet. Turn heat to medium and cook, flipping occasionally, until deeply browned and crispy, about 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain and cool. Once cool, crumble or chop into bite-sized pieces. Reserve a couple of tablespoons for garnish.
  3. Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, buttermilk, ranch seasoning mix, and smoked paprika until smooth. Taste and adjust with black pepper if needed. The dressing should be thick but pourable; add another tablespoon of buttermilk if too thick.
  4. Combine the ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the cooled pasta, crumbled bacon (reserve garnish), shredded cheddar, cherry tomatoes, and green onions. Stir gently with a rubber spatula to distribute evenly.
  5. Add the dressing: Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture and fold gently but thoroughly until every piece is coated. Avoid stirring too vigorously to prevent breaking the pasta or smashing the tomatoes.
  6. Chill and rest: Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight for best flavor. The pasta needs time to absorb the dressing and the flavors to meld.
  7. Final touch: Before serving, stir the pasta salad. If it seems dry, stir in a tablespoon or two of milk or buttermilk. Sprinkle reserved bacon on top for presentation.

Notes

Do not skip rinsing the pasta with cool water to prevent gumminess. Undercook pasta by about a minute as it will soften in the dressing. Let bacon cool completely before adding to avoid wilting cheese. Reserve some dressing to stir in before serving if making ahead. Taste for seasoning after chilling as cold dulls flavors.

Nutrition

Keywords: creamy bacon ranch pasta salad, southern pasta salad, bacon ranch pasta, potluck pasta salad, easy pasta salad

Find it online: https://cravemila.com/creamy-bacon-ranch-pasta-salad-the-best-southern-side/