Addictive Crack Pasta Salad (Printable Version)

Creamy pasta salad with crispy bacon, cheddar, and ranch—perfect for cookouts and BBQs.

# 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

→ For Garnish (Optional)

09 - Extra bacon, cheddar, or green onions

# How to Make It:

01 - Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain thoroughly and rinse under cold water to stop cooking. Transfer to a large bowl and set aside to cool completely.
02 - In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together sour cream, mayonnaise, and ranch seasoning mix until completely smooth and well combined.
03 - Pour the dressing over the cooled pasta. Add shredded cheddar cheese, crumbled bacon, thawed peas, and sliced green onions. Gently fold everything together until evenly distributed.
04 - Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to develop and meld. The salad tastes better when thoroughly chilled.
05 - Before serving, top with additional crumbled bacon, shredded cheddar, or sliced green onions if desired. Serve cold alongside grilled meats, BBQ, or as a standalone side dish.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The creamy ranch dressing clings to every curve of pasta while crispy bacon brings perfect salty crunch in each bite
  • It comes together in under 30 minutes but tastes like you spent all day getting the flavors just right
  • This salad actually gets better as it sits, making it perfect for makeahead meals
02 -
  • The pasta must be completely cooled before mixing with the dressing, otherwise the dairy will separate and become oily
  • Letting the salad chill for at least an hour is not optional because that is when the magic really happens
  • The bacon needs to be cooked past what you might normally do because it will soften in the creamy dressing
03 -
  • Use a box grater to shred your own cheese instead of buying pre shredded bags for better melting and flavor
  • Cook the bacon in the oven at 400°F for 15 to 20 minutes for perfectly crispy results without the mess

Go Back