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Creamy Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad in a large white bowl with crispy bacon and fresh herbs

Creamy Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

A crowd-pleasing pasta salad loaded with crispy bacon, sharp cheddar, sweet peas, and grape tomatoes, all tossed in a homemade ranch dressing made with real bacon grease. Perfect for potlucks, picnics, and summer cookouts.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 37 minutes
Servings: 6 portions
Course: Lunch, Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 433

Ingredients
  

  • 10 oz pasta shells Medium shells preferred; rotini or bowtie also work
  • 8 oz peas Frozen peas, added cold
  • 6 oz grape tomatoes Halved lengthwise
  • 4 oz cheddar cheese Cubed into 1/4-inch pieces
  • 10 oz bacon
  • 0.67 cup mayonnaise Full-fat preferred
  • 3 tbsp milk
  • 0.75 tsp dried dill
  • 0.5 tsp dried parsley
  • 0.5 tsp dried chives
  • 0.5 tsp garlic powder
  • 0.25 tsp onion powder
  • 0.25 tsp mustard powder
  • 0.25 tsp salt
  • 0.25 tsp black pepper
  • 2.5 tsp fresh lemon juice Freshly squeezed
  • 1.5 tbsp reserved bacon grease From cooking the bacon

Equipment

  • large skillet
  • large pot
  • colander
  • Large mixing bowl
  • Medium mixing bowl
  • whisk

Method
 

  1. Cook the bacon in a large skillet over medium-high heat until crispy, about 8 to 10 minutes, turning occasionally. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate, let cool, then chop into bite-sized pieces. Reserve 1 and a half tablespoons of bacon grease in a small bowl for the dressing.
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook pasta shells according to package directions until al dente, about 8 to 10 minutes.
  3. Halve the grape tomatoes lengthwise and cut the cheddar into quarter-inch cubes. Place both in a large mixing bowl and set aside.
  4. Drain the cooked pasta and immediately rinse under cold running water until completely cooled, stirring gently. Add the cold peas to the chilled pasta and stir to combine.
  5. In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise and milk until smooth. Add the dill, parsley, chives, garlic powder, onion powder, mustard powder, salt, and pepper. Whisk until evenly combined. Add the fresh lemon juice and reserved bacon grease last and whisk to incorporate.
  6. Add the chilled pasta and peas to the bowl with the tomatoes and cheese. Pour the ranch dressing over everything and add the chopped bacon. Gently toss until all ingredients are evenly coated. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.

Notes

This salad tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld together. If it seems dry after refrigerating, stir in a tablespoon of mayo and a splash of milk before serving. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Not recommended for freezing.
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