Description
This Bacon Cheddar Ranch Pasta Salad is a flavorful and creamy side dish perfect for summer gatherings. Featuring rotini pasta tossed in a zesty ranch and mayonnaise dressing, it’s loaded with crispy bacon, sharp cheddar cheese, fresh cherry tomatoes, sweet corn, and crunchy onions. Easy to prepare and best served chilled, it combines classic comfort flavors with a vibrant, fresh twist.
Ingredients
Pasta and Dressing
- 12 ounces rotini pasta, cooked and cooled
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1 cup ranch dressing
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Mix-Ins
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup cooked bacon, chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup sweet corn kernels
- 1/2 cup sliced green onions
- 1/2 cup diced red onion
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rotini pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain the pasta and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking and cool completely.
- Prepare Dressing: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, ranch dressing, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper until smooth and well combined.
- Toss Pasta with Dressing: Add the cooled pasta to the bowl with the dressing and toss gently until all pasta is evenly coated with the dressing mixture.
- Add Mix-ins: Stir in shredded cheddar cheese, chopped cooked bacon, halved cherry tomatoes, sweet corn kernels, sliced green onions, and diced red onion until combined thoroughly.
- Chill: Cover the pasta salad with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving to allow the flavors to meld together.
- Serve: Before serving, stir the salad again to redistribute dressing and flavors. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute light mayonnaise or use Greek yogurt in place of mayonnaise.
- This pasta salad can be made up to one day ahead and stored covered in the refrigerator.
- If the salad thickens upon chilling, stir in an extra splash of ranch dressing before serving to loosen it up.
