Addictive Crack Pasta Salad (Printable Version)
Creamy pasta salad with crispy bacon, sharp cheddar, and ranch. Perfect for cookouts and BBQs.
# Ingredient List:
→ 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
09 - Extra bacon, cheddar, or green onions
# How to Make:
01 - Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking. Set aside to cool completely.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together sour cream, mayonnaise, and ranch seasoning mix until thoroughly combined and smooth.
03 - Add cooled pasta to the bowl. Fold in cheddar cheese, crispy bacon crumbles, thawed peas, and sliced green onions. Toss well to evenly distribute.
04 - Refrigerate pasta salad for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to meld and develop fully.
05 - Top with additional bacon, cheddar cheese, or green onions if desired. Serve cold.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- That addictive salty creamy combo keeps everyone coming back for just one more bite
- It comes together in 35 minutes but tastes like you fussed over it for hours
- The pasta actually tastes better after sitting in the fridge making it perfect meal prep
02 -
- Never skip the cold water rinse or your pasta will keep cooking and turn into mush
- The salad needs that full hour in the fridge to taste right so dont rush this step
- Everything should be completely cold before mixing or the dressing melts and gets weird
03 -
- Real bacon bits from the store work in a pinch but fresh cooked bacon is worth the extra effort
- Grate your own cheddar instead of buying pre shredded for the best melting texture