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Creamy Turkey Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

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A creamy, flavorful pasta salad featuring turkey bacon, ranch dressing, and fresh veggies, perfect for cookouts and easy weeknight meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 oz (340 g) rotini or spiral pasta
  • 8 slices turkey bacon, cooked crisp and chopped
  • 1 cup (240 ml) ranch dressing, homemade or store-bought
  • ½ cup (120 ml) mayonnaise
  • 1 cup (100 g) shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup (150 g) cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 3 green onions, thinly sliced
  • ¼ cup (15 g) fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • Salt to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 oz rotini pasta and cook according to package instructions (8-10 minutes) until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking. Set aside to cool.
  2. While pasta cooks, heat a skillet over medium heat. Cook 8 slices of turkey bacon until crisp, about 4-6 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels and chop into bite-sized pieces once cooled.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 1 cup ranch dressing, ½ cup mayonnaise, 1 tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp black pepper, and a pinch of salt. Adjust seasoning to taste.
  4. Add cooled pasta to the bowl with dressing and toss gently to coat.
  5. Stir in chopped turkey bacon, shredded cheddar cheese, halved cherry tomatoes, sliced green onions, and chopped parsley. Mix until evenly combined.
  6. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to let flavors meld.
  7. Before serving, stir the salad again and adjust salt or pepper if needed. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Notes

Do not overcook pasta; rinse with cold water to stop cooking and prevent sticking. Cook turkey bacon until crisp for best texture. Let salad chill for at least 1 hour to meld flavors. Adjust seasoning after chilling. If salad thickens after chilling, add a splash of lemon juice or milk to brighten.

Nutrition

Keywords: pasta salad, turkey bacon, ranch dressing, cookout recipe, creamy pasta salad, summer salad, easy pasta salad

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