This bacon ranch pasta salad combines crispy bacon, scallions, baby peas, cheddar cheese, and pasta with a creamy mayonnaise and fresh herb dressing. This pasta salad is always a big hit and the perfect side dish for all your summer grilling.
This easy and delicious pasta salad goes well with almost anything. I like to serve it with grilled shrimp or country-style ribs. Or serve it as a main course on a hot summer evening.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
See the complete list of ingredients below on the recipe card.
- Mayonnaise: I like Duke’s mayo, but you can use your favorite brand.
- Fresh herbs: such as chives, dill, basil, parsley, cilantro, mint, and tarragon
- Pasta: cellentani, corkscrew, rotini, bowtie, or elbow pasta.
- Tomatoes: grape or cherry tomatoes, sliced in half
- Peas: Use frozen baby peas, thawed.
- Cheddar cheese: You can use sharp, mild, or regular cheddar cheese.
How to Make Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
This is the summary version; for the complete list of ingredients and instructions, see the recipe card below.
Cook the pasta al dente according to package directions and drain well. Lightly rinse with cold water and drain again. Mix the mayo, sour cream, garlic, onion powder, and fresh herbs in a medium bowl.
Cover a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil for easy cleanup. Lay the bacon slices in a single layer on the paper. Bake at 375 degrees for 12-17 minutes or until crispy. Remove to paper towels to drain. Once cooled, coarsely chop the bacon.
Add the cooked and drained pasta, cooked and chopped bacon, tomatoes, peas, cheddar, and green onion to a large bowl. Pour the dressing over the top and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Preparation Tips and Storage
- Always cook the pasta al dente. It improves the texture, and the pasta does not swell as much from absorbing the ranch dressing.
- Keep this salad covered and refrigerated until ready to serve.
- Prepare this pasta salad up to 24 hours in advance, but do not add the tomatoes until just before serving.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. If it is a little dry, add a bit of mayonnaise or sour cream.
Serving Suggestions for Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
I like to serve this salad with turkey burgers, bacon-wrapped meatloaf, and oven-baked beef brisket. For lunch, I serve it with club sandwiches and cucumber sandwiches.
More Pasta Salad Recipes
Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
Ingredients
For the Ranch Dressing
- ⅔ cup mayonnaise
- ⅓ cup sour cream
- 2 cloves garlic smashed
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
- 1½ tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
For the Pasta Salad
- 1 lb. medium shell pasta
- 10 slices bacon
- 1½ cups grape tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup frozen baby peas, thawed
- ½ cup small cubed cheddar cheese
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
- salt to taste
- freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the pasta al dente according to package directions and drain well. Lightly rinse with cold water and drain again.
- Mix the mayonnaise, sour cream, garlic, onion powder, chives, dill, basil, and parsley in a medium bowl.
- Cover a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil for easy cleanup. Lay the bacon slices in a single layer on the paper. Bake at 375 degrees for 12-17 minutes or until crispy. Remove to paper towels to drain. Once cooled coarsely chop the bacon.
- Add the cooked and drained pasta, cooked and chopped bacon, tomatoes, peas, cheddar, and green onions to a large bowl. Pour the dressing over the top and toss to coat. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Notes
- Always cook the pasta al dente. It improves the texture, and the pasta does not swell as much, absorbing the ranch dressing.
- Keep this salad covered and refrigerated until ready to serve.
- Make this pasta salad up to 24 hours before serving, but do not add the tomatoes until ready to serve.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. If it is a little dry, add a bit of mayo or sour cream.
Emily
This is such a tasty recipe and perfect for the summer! I made it with your oven baked ribs and we loved the meal. Thanks for the recipe.
Beth Pierce
You are most welcome, Emily!
Clarice
Wow! This looks really delicious. I don’t normally add peas to my pasta, but will give this a try. I am thinking of using bowtie for a change. Thank you for sharing the recipe.
Beth Pierce
My pleasure, Clarice! Enjoy!
Renata Feyen
Ooh, I love a great pasta salad. I am mostly fan of the corkscrew pasta. Your options sound great, am definitely gonna try them.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Renata! Enjoy!
Joy
i never would have thought of using all those fresh herbs. It was a game changer. I am going to find a way to plant some fresh herbs out in my garden. I hope it is not too late in the year.
Beth Pierce
I do not think it is too late. We planted ours about a month ago. We love having fresh herbs.
Mahy
Bacon and pasta are my two favorite things. Add ranch to it, and I loving it! It was so yummy. The whole family enjoyed it.
ebony
I made this salad for dinner tonight with some grilled wings! This was so easy to make and sooo yummy! I can’t wait to make this salad again!
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Ebony! I am so glad that you liked it.
Barbie R
I haven’t had a pasta salad in years. This pasta dish looks absolutely delicious. I’m starving right now just reading this and my mouth is literally watering.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Barbie! Enjoy!
Lisa
Gosh, all I need is a fork! LOL, this pasta salad looks so yummy and it’s perfect for a summer hot day when you don’t feel like cooking much. Yes, I’m trying this recipe and pinning it!
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Lisa! Enjoy!
Angela
This recipe turned out amazing! It was easy to prepare and the entire family loved it. I can’t wait to make it again!!
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Angela! I am glad that everyone enjoyed it.
Ben
Bacon and ranch. You had me at bacon and ranch. I’m so making this when I grill this weekend.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Ben! Enjoy!
amy liu dong
It looks like a new summer recipe to add to my cookbook. Pasta with bacon and ranch looks delicious!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Amy! Enjoy!
Catalina
This pasta salad is so addictive! The combo of creamy ranch, crispy bacon, and the crunch of veggies was just perfect!
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Catalina!
Mimi
I loved this salad. It is exactly what I have been looking for. That ranch is just where it should be!
Beth Pierce
Thanks so much, Mimi! So glad that you liked it.
Janie
You can never go wrong with bacon and ranch together on a pasta. This was super delicious and perfect for our family bbq.
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Janie! So glad that you all liked the pasta salad
Maria
I mean, come on. This is insane. How can you beat pasta salad with bacon and ranch? Love it.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Maria! We love it to!