Addictive Crack Pasta Salad (Printable Version)

Creamy pasta with crispy bacon, cheddar, and ranch seasoning. A crowd-pleasing side for cookouts.

# What You 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, or green onions

# Method:

01 - Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain, rinse under cold water, and set aside to cool completely.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together sour cream, mayonnaise, and ranch seasoning until smooth.
03 - Add cooled pasta to the bowl, then fold in cheddar cheese, bacon, peas, and green onions. Toss well to combine.
04 - Chill pasta salad in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to meld.
05 - Garnish with extra bacon, cheddar, or green onions before serving, if desired. Serve cold.

# Expert Tricks:

01 -
  • It disappears faster than anything else on the potluck table
  • The creamy ranch dressing clings to every spiral of pasta
  • You can assemble it ahead and let flavors mingle overnight
02 -
  • Hot pasta melts the cheese and makes the dressing separate and look curdled
  • The salad tastes noticeably better after sitting for several hours
03 -
  • Cook your bacon in the oven on a foil lined sheet pan for perfect even crispiness
  • Taste before serving and add more salt or pepper if needed

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