Bacon ranch pasta salad is a summertime salad that you’ll want to make again and again!
This pasta salad is a full meal deal! Bacon, cheese, chicken, and tomatoes are tossed in an easy creamy homemade ranch so good I could literally drink it!
Keep this recipe handy for picnics, potlucks, and those hot summer evenings when a cold pasta salad just hits the spot!
A Whole Meal in One Bowl
- This super easy salad can be a side dish but really it’s so hearty we enjoy it as main dish.
- This is a hearty meal that keeps in the fridge so it’s great for lunches throughout the week.
- Use leftover chicken and your favorite veggies to create your own version.
- The quick homemade ranch dressing is my favorite part of this recipe but you can sub it for bottled dressing if you’d like.
Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad Ingredients
PASTA: Choose medium-sized pasta with ridges or holes that the dressing can cling to. Best to use are shells, penne, rotini, and bowtie pasta.
CHICKEN – Rotisserie, canned, or leftover chicken is perfect in this recipe! Make sure it’s boneless and skinless. Turkey is another great option.
BACON – Crispy bacon adds salty smoky flavor (isnt’t everything just a bit better with bacon?). Short on time? Use a package of pre-cooked bacon bits and microwave them for about 30 seconds to crisp!
CHEESE – Cubes of cheddar cheese are colorful and tasty! Bleu cheese crumbles, feta, and shaved parmesan are also good substitutes.
Pasta Salad Dressing
This easy creamy dressing is so good, I could literally eat it with a spoon!
It pulls the recipe together with fresh herbs. If you can’t get all fresh herbs, fresh dill really makes it amazing so I’d recommend trying to grab some at the store.
Greek yogurt can be used in place of sour cream for a tangier flavor and to lighten the recipe a little bit.
Switch it Up!
Add color, texture, and a boost of nutrition by adding in chopped celery, sliced black olives, red onions, green peas, asparagus, sundried tomatoes, or even thinly sliced radishes!
How to Make Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
This easy salad has so much flavor and it comes together in just a few easy steps!
- Prep dressing and set aside.
- Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse in cold water.
- Toss all ingredients in a bowl and add dressing to taste. Chill for a bit to let the flavors blend.
Garnish with green onions and bacon, or avocado slices.
Recipe Tips
- Cook the pasta al dente in salted water. Rinsing under cold water helps stop the cooking so the pasta doesn’t get mushy.
- The homemade dressing in this recipe is so good, sub the herbs/seasonings with ranch seasoning or a packet of ranch mix if it’s what you have.
How to Store Leftovers
Leftover bacon ranch pasta salad will last up to 5 days in the refrigerator. Stir before serving.
Scoop into homemade pita bread or make a wrap for an energizing workday lunch! Serve with crostini, homemade naan, or breadsticks, and some refreshing lemon water or cucumber water.
More Pasta Salad Recipes
Did you love this Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad? Be sure to leave a rating and a comment below!
Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 8 ounces medium pasta shells, rotini, penne
- 8 slices bacon
- 2 cups chicken cooked & chopped
- 2 green onions sliced, divided
- 1 cup halved grape tomatoes
- ½ cup cheddar cheese cut into ¼-inch cubes
- ½ avocado for garnish, optional
Dressing
- ⅓ cup mayonnaise
- ⅓ cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons milk or as needed
- 2 teaspoons fresh chives or 1 teaspoon dried
- 2 teaspoons fresh dill or 1 teaspoon dried
- 2 teaspoons fresh parsley or 1 ½ teaspoon dried
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- salt & black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Combine all dressing ingredients in a bowl and set aside.
- In a large skillet, cook the bacon until crispy. Remove from the pan and place on a paper towel lined plate to cool. If desired, whisk 1 tablespoon bacon grease into the dressing.
- Cook pasta in a large pot of salted water according to package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water.
- Set aside 1 tablespoon of green onions and half of the bacon for garnish.
- Toss all ingredients in a large bowl except dressing. Add dressing to taste (there may be leftover dressing).
Notes
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Pasta, Salad
Cuisine American© SpendWithPennies.com. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited. Please view my photo use policy here.
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Just made this for lunch. Didn’t wait for it to “chill”! Wonderful! Made it just as it says!
Great salad!!
Do you think 1 cup of pasta is enough to feed 4 people? I just made a cup and a half and it is still pretty sparse. Will cook another cup (8oz) to add to it
The recipe calls for 8 ounces of pasta, which is weight (pasta is sold by weight). 8 ounces of medium shells is approximately 3 cups of dry pasta shells. Hope that helps. Enjoy the recipe Nancy!
My family loved this recipe…I added onion, then topped with lettuce when served. My husband is crazy about the dressing, as am I.
Delicious
Thank Kelly! So happy you enjoyed it.
Would love more pasta recipes
Becky, you can check out our pasta recipes section for some great dishes!
Would love pasta recipes hot or cold
You can find all of the pasta recipes right here Kim:
https://www.spendwithpennies.com/?s=pasta
I would like to make the dressing only, does it expire a couple of days later or longer? Thanks
The dressing should last just fine up to 5 days if all of your dairy is fresh. Enjoy!
It is delicious,creamy,and self- filling.
Can you substitute the avacado with something else, I don’t like it.
You could leave it out if preferred.
Salad looks great but trying to be good right now. Doesn’t seem low calorie but it does look yummy!
Try turkey bacon instead. that would cut a large chunk of calories out I would think.
the best !!!!!!
this absolutely the best chicken pasta I have ever made
I am so glad you have enjoyed this recipe!
Working on this now for a hot steamy Texas evening. Can’t wait to try!
I HAVE to make this! I really love that you provided a dressing recipe with seasonings instead of just using a ranch powder. Thanks!
I hope you enjoy it Natasha! It is a perfect salad for a summer dinner!
This looks DELICIOUS!! Do you have a nutritional breakdown??
Thanks for posting!!
Thank you!! Please find the nutritional information under the recipe.
Is this salad best served cold or with the warm chicken?
Either would work but I serve it with cold chicken as I make it ahead of time.
this sounds great!
Quick question could you switch out the chicken for ham, salami or shrimp for a different taste.
Absolutely!
I have been searching for a recipe that is easy to make for a women’s luncheon. I already have the ingredients for this salad so I am anxious to make it tomorrow. It looks and sounds delicious. Thank you for sharing!
Enjoy Lynn!!