Description

A sturdy, creamy pasta salad that survives summer heat and tastes better the next day. Packed with bacon, cheddar, and ranch dressing, this crowd-pleasing side dish is simple to make and perfect for picnics.

Ingredients

Scale

1 pound (450g) Rotini or Fusilli Pasta
12 slices (about 300g) thick-cut Bacon
1 cup (100g) Sharp Cheddar Cheese, shredded
2 stalks Celery, finely diced
½ medium Red Onion, finely diced
4 stalks Green Onions, sliced
1 cup (240g) Full-fat Sour Cream
½ cup (120g) Mayonnaise
1 packet (1 ounce / 28g) Dry Ranch Dressing Mix
½ cup (120ml) Buttermilk
2 tablespoons Fresh Parsley, chopped

Instructions

Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente (8-10 minutes).
Drain pasta in a colander and rinse immediately with cold water to stop cooking. Spread on a baking sheet to cool completely.
While pasta cooks, fry bacon in a large pan over medium heat until crispy (4-5 minutes per side). Drain on paper towels, then crumble into bite-sized pieces.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together sour cream, mayonnaise, dry ranch mix, and buttermilk until smooth.
Add cooled pasta to the dressing and toss to coat evenly.
Add diced celery, red onion, green onions, shredded cheddar, and crumbled bacon. Toss until combined.
Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, ideally overnight, to allow flavors to meld.
Before serving, stir well. If the salad is too thick, add a splash of buttermilk or water to loosen.

Notes

Do not skip rinsing the pasta with cold water; this prevents it from becoming gummy. Ensure the pasta is completely cool before adding the dressing to prevent the cheese from melting and the dairy from separating. This salad tastes better the next day as flavors meld. It does not freeze well due to the dairy and pasta texture. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Side Dish
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 380
Sugar: 4
Sodium: 650
Fat: 18
Saturated Fat: 8
Carbohydrates: 42
Fiber: 2
Protein: 12

Keywords: pasta salad, bacon ranch, summer side dish, picnic food, make ahead salad, creamy pasta salad, easy side dish