Quick Look at this
Simple Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
- Ready In: 35 minutes
- Serves: 12
- Main Ingredients: Ranch seasoning and dressing, romaine lettuce, bacon, noodles, and corn.
- Diet: Gluten-free and dairy-free options included.
- Why You’ll Love It: This is a perfect make-ahead summer side dish to bring to potlucks, BBQs, and or anytime you’re in need of fresh summer flavors.
Share and summarize this recipe:
Bacon ranch pasta salad ingredients & Substitutions
Be sure to see the recipe card below for a full listing of ingredients, instructions, and estimated nutritional information.
- Romaine: Crunchy romaine lettuce is our favorite, but you could swap this with butter lettuce or iceberg lettuce.
- Noodles: Swap gemeli noodles with bowtie noodles.
- Ranch dressing: Make this dairy-free by using dairy-free ranch dressing.
- More Protein – Make this a chicken bacon ranch pasta salad by adding some grilled chicken breasts.
How To Make Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
Step 1 – Cook pasta and rinse with cold water.
Step 2 – Combine ranch seasoning, mayo, and ranch dressing.
Step 3 – Add creamy ranch sauce over the pasta salad ingredients.
Step 4 – Mix and enjoy!
Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad Variations
Pasta salads are super forgiving, allowing you to really toss in whatever you have on hand. Bulk this bacon ranch pasta salad recipe by throwing in some leftover rotisserie chicken. Add in some avocado for some extra creaminess. Amp up the veggies by adding in diced cucumbers, bell peppers, or broccoli florets.
Make Ahead Instructions
Combine all of the pasta salad ingredients except for the romaine lettuce and 1/4 C of the ranch mixture. Add the romaine and remaining ranch sauce just prior to serving in order to keep this the lettuce crispy and the creaminess throughout.
What To Serve With Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
This recipe is a great one to bring to summer bbqs, a potluck dinner, or the next family reunion as it pairs great with so many other dishes. Make it a complete meal by pairing it with some oven baked baby back ribs, grilled hot dogs, smoked pork shoulder, or grilled chicken wings.
Recipe FAQs and Tips
Gemeli pasta has little twists and ridges that really hold in the flavor, but bowtie pasta would work too.
Yes, but the texture will be a bit thick. To thin, add a bit of water to the mixture as needed.
Yes! This cools the pasta keeps it from over cooking, and prevents clumping.
Other Fresh Pasta Salad Recipes You Might Like
Made this recipe and loved it?!
We would love it if you would take a minute and leave a star rating and review – it is also helpful if you made any substitutions or changes to the recipe to share that as well. THANK YOU!
Follow Us on Social
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cup ranch dressing, regular or dairy-free
- 1/3 cup mayo
- 1 packet ranch seasoning
- 1 pound gemeli noodles, (or bow tie noodles)
- 1 pound bacon, cooked and chopped
- 3 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
- 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced or chopped
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
- 2 ears of corn, grilled and cut off the cob
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 – 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
- optional: crushed croutons and/or cubed avocado
Instructions
- Make Sauce: Put 1 1/4 cup ranch dressing, 1/3 cup mayo, and 1 packet ranch seasoning in a small bowl. Mix to fully combine and set aside.
- Cook Noodles: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, add 1 pound gemeli noodles of choice, and cook to al dente according to the package directions. Drain and run cold water over them to cool.
- Combine: Put the cooked noodles in a large bowl with the rest of the ingredients (note: if making ahead wait and add lettuce before serving). Toss to combine and then pour the sauce on top. Give it another good mix!
- Taste & Serve: Taste and add any additional seasoning or ingredients, as desired. Serve immediately or store in the fridge for later.
Notes
- Lettuce: for best results, add the chopped lettuce to the pasta salad right before serving to prevent any sogginess.
- Gluten Free: simply use gluten free noodles.
- Dairy Free: Use a dairy free ranch dressing.
- Prep Ahead of Time: this is a great recipe to prep ahead of time, but you may want to reserve some of the sauce or keep some extra ranch dressing on hand to mix into the pasta salad right before serving. As it sits, the noodles will soak up some of that creaminess.
- Storage: keep in an airtight container in the fridge for 4-5 days and be sure to revive with that splash of ranch before serving.
- Serve: this goes so well with some grilled ribs, smoked pork shoulder or grilled chicken thighs!
Liz says
There’s nothing like classic ranch flavors. This side dish was such a hit!
Bridget Montag says
So glad! Thank you for coming back to leave a review!