Addictive Crack Pasta Salad (Printer-Friendly)
Creamy ranch-dressed pasta tossed with fresh veggies, cheddar, and crispy bacon bits for bold, addictive flavor.
# What You'll Need:
→ Pasta
01 - 12 oz rotini or penne pasta
→ Dressing
02 - 3/4 cup mayonnaise
03 - 1/2 cup sour cream
04 - 1 packet (30 g) ranch seasoning mix
05 - 1–2 tbsp milk, to loosen as needed
→ Veggies & Add-ins
06 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
07 - 1 cup yellow or red bell pepper, diced
08 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
09 - 1/2 cup cooked bacon bits or vegetarian alternative
10 - 1/2 cup green onions, thinly sliced
11 - 3/4 cup frozen peas, thawed
# How-To Steps:
01 - Boil pasta in salted water until al dente according to package directions. Drain, rinse under cold running water, and set aside to cool completely.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, ranch seasoning mix, and 1 tablespoon of milk. Add a second tablespoon of milk if a thinner consistency is preferred.
03 - Add the cooled pasta to the dressing and toss until evenly coated.
04 - Gently fold in the cherry tomatoes, diced bell pepper, shredded cheddar, bacon bits, green onions, and thawed peas.
05 - Mix until all components are evenly distributed. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
06 - Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld before serving.
# Expert Hints:
01 -
- It comes together faster than you can set the table for a barbecue
- The dressing clings to every curl of pasta so no bite is bland
02 -
- Serving this at room temperature instead of chilled dulls the dressing and makes it feel heavy instead of refreshing
- Rinsing the pasta with cold water is not optional because the starchy residue will turn your dressing gummy
03 -
- Use a box grater for the cheddar instead of buying pre shredded because the anti caking coating on bagged cheese prevents it from melting into the dressing
- Let the finished salad sit for a full hour in the fridge rather than the minimum 30 minutes if you can manage it