Addictive Crack Pasta Salad (Printable)
Creamy pasta salad with crispy bacon, cheddar, and ranch. Perfect for cookouts.
# What You'll Need:
→ Pasta
01 - 12 oz rotini or elbow macaroni
→ Dairy & Dressings
02 - 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
03 - 1 cup sour cream
04 - 1/2 cup mayonnaise
05 - 1 packet (1 oz) ranch seasoning mix
→ Proteins
06 - 8 slices bacon, cooked until crispy and crumbled
→ Vegetables
07 - 2/3 cup frozen peas, thawed
08 - 3 stalks green onions, sliced thin
→ Optional Garnish
09 - Extra bacon, cheddar cheese, or green onions
# How to Make It:
01 - Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain thoroughly, rinse under cold running water to stop cooking process, and transfer to a large bowl to cool completely.
02 - In a separate large mixing bowl, whisk together sour cream, mayonnaise, and ranch seasoning mix until completely smooth and well combined.
03 - Pour the creamy dressing over cooled pasta. Add shredded cheddar cheese, crumbled bacon, thawed peas, and sliced green onions. Gently fold everything together until pasta is evenly coated.
04 - Cover bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or up to overnight, to allow flavors to develop and meld together.
05 - Remove from refrigerator, give it a quick stir, and garnish with additional bacon, cheese, or green onions if desired. Serve chilled.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The crispy bacon and sharp cheddar create this ridiculous savory crunch nobody can resist
- It gets better overnight so you can make it the day before and stress less
02 -
- Rinse the pasta thoroughly or the dressing slides right off
- The salad needs at least one hour in the fridge to taste like magic
03 -
- Cook bacon in the oven for perfectly crispy results without the mess
- Thaw peas by running them under warm water for 30 seconds