Creamy Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad with Rotini
A creamy, smoky, and tangy pasta salad featuring rotini, crispy bacon, ranch dressing, sharp cheddar cheese, and crunchy celery. Perfect for quick gatherings or a comforting meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 ounces rotini pasta
- 8 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked crisp and chopped
- 1/2 cup ranch dressing
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese (about 4 ounces)
- 2 stalks celery, finely diced
- Optional: fresh chives or green onions for garnish
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 ounces of rotini pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente (8-10 minutes). Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool the pasta. Set aside in a large bowl.
- While the pasta cooks, crisp 8 slices of thick-cut bacon in a skillet over medium heat, turning occasionally for even browning (about 8 minutes). Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess fat. Once cooled, chop into bite-sized pieces.
- Finely chop 2 celery stalks.
- In the large bowl with cooled pasta, add chopped bacon, diced celery, and 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese. Pour in 1/2 cup ranch dressing. Gently toss to coat all ingredients evenly.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let flavors meld. Before serving, give the salad a light toss and garnish with chopped fresh chives or green onions if desired.
Notes
Rinse pasta after cooking to prevent sticking and keep salad cool. Cook bacon slowly over medium heat and drain well to avoid greasiness. Toss gently to keep bacon crispy and cheese intact. Chill salad for at least 30 minutes for best flavor. Add extra ranch dressing if salad looks dry after chilling. Bacon can be baked on a foil-lined sheet pan at 400°F for 15-20 minutes as an alternative to skillet cooking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1 cup per serv
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 15
- Saturated Fat: 6
- Carbohydrates: 35
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 12
Keywords: pasta salad, bacon, ranch dressing, rotini, creamy pasta salad, easy pasta salad, picnic recipe, potluck dish