Summer Pioneer Woman Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad Recipe

Bacon ranch pasta salad represents a delightful culinary creation that transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary dining experience.

Its vibrant ingredients dance together, creating a symphony of flavors that captivate taste buds from the first bite.

Summer gatherings and potluck events welcome this crowd-pleasing dish with open arms.

The combination of crispy, salty elements with creamy, tangy dressing elevates simple pasta to a memorable meal.

Each forkful promises a delectable journey through complementary textures and robust seasonings.

You’ll soon understand why this pasta salad becomes the star of any meal.

Tips That Boost Creaminess and Flavor

• Swap Proteins Easily: Replace bacon with grilled shrimp or diced ham for a different flavor profile that keeps the dish exciting and versatile.
• Chill for Maximum Flavor: Refrigerate the pasta salad for at least 2 hours before serving, allowing the ranch dressing to deeply penetrate and enhance all ingredients.
• Customize Vegetable Mix: Dice fresh bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, or cucumber to add crunch and extra nutrition to the classic recipe.
• Store Smart: Keep leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days, giving the salad a quick stir before serving to redistribute the dressing.
• Make Ahead Brilliance: Prepare the entire salad the night before your event, letting flavors meld and intensify overnight for a more delicious result.

Best Way to Store Pasta Salad Without Drying Out

• Seal Tight: Store the pasta salad in a leak-proof glass container with a secure lid to maintain freshness and prevent absorption of other refrigerator odors. Glass containers keep ingredients crispier and prevent potential plastic chemical transfers.
• Chill Quickly: Cool the pasta salad completely before refrigerating to prevent bacterial growth and preserve texture. Place the container on the coldest shelf, typically the back of the refrigerator, where temperature remains most consistent.
• Revive Wisely: Gently stir the salad before serving to redistribute dressing and ingredients. If mixture appears dry, add a tablespoon of buttermilk or ranch dressing to restore moisture and enhance flavor. Discard any salad left at room temperature for more than 2 hours to ensure food safety.

Tasty Twists on Classic Bacon Ranch Flavors

• Ranch Ranch Revival: Swap buttermilk with Greek yogurt for a tangier, healthier protein-packed version that maintains creamy texture and adds extra nutrients.
• Mediterranean Makeover: Replace bacon with crispy pancetta, add crumbled feta cheese, diced cucumber, and kalamata olives for a Mediterranean-inspired pasta salad with robust flavors.
• Spicy Southwest Spin: Mix in diced jalapeños, replace cheddar with pepper jack cheese, add corn kernels, and sprinkle chili powder for a zesty southwestern kick that elevates the classic recipe.
• Vegetarian Veggie Burst: Eliminate bacon, introduce roasted red peppers, artichoke hearts, and sun-dried tomatoes to create a vegetable-rich version that doesn't compromise on taste and texture.

Pasta Salad That Stays the Life of the Party

Pasta salads whisper comfort with Pioneer Woman’s bacon ranch masterpiece, blending creamy textures and zesty flavors into summer’s perfect companion.

Ranch-infused dressing coats each cavatappi curve, promising delightful bites packed with crispy bacon, sharp cheddar, and garden-fresh herbs.

Pimentos and olives add unexpected complexity, elevating this classic side dish beyond ordinary expectations.

Chilled ingredients create harmonious symphonies of taste, promising refreshment during warm gatherings.

Southern charm meets culinary creativity in this signature recipe that guarantees smiles around any table.

Hungry souls should grab their forks, snap a mouthwatering photo, share this recipe’s magic across social platforms, and spread deliciousness with passionate food-loving friends.

Why Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad Wins Every Time

• Burst with Flavor Combinations: Dive into a mouthwatering blend of tangy ranch dressing, crispy bacon, sharp cheddar cheese, and fresh herbs that create an explosion of taste in every single bite.
• Textural Delight with Contrasts: Experience a perfect harmony of creamy dressing, crunchy bacon bits, soft pasta, and juicy tomatoes that dance together with incredible textural excitement.
• Quick and Easy Summer Crowd-Pleaser: Whip up this no-fuss pasta salad in under 30 minutes, making it an ideal dish for potlucks, picnics, barbecues, and casual gatherings where you want maximum taste with minimal effort.
• Customize Your Culinary Adventure: Easily adapt the recipe by swapping ingredients, adding protein, or adjusting seasonings to match your personal taste preferences and dietary needs without compromising the delicious core of the dish.

What Goes Into This Bold Pasta Salad Bowl

• Cavatappi Pasta: Curly and fun pasta shape that holds dressing well, choose a high-quality brand for best texture.
• Bacon: Crispy and savory protein that adds smoky flavor, select thick-cut bacon for maximum crunch.
• Green Onions: Adds fresh, mild onion flavor and bright color to the dish.

• Mayonnaise, Sour Cream, Buttermilk: Creamy base for dressing that provides tangy richness, use full-fat versions for best taste.
• Cheddar Cheese: Sharp cheese that adds creamy texture and bold flavor, opt for medium or sharp variety.

• Grape Tomatoes: Sweet and juicy addition that provides fresh burst of flavor, choose ripe and firm tomatoes.
• Peas: Sweet and tender vegetable that adds color and light texture, frozen peas work perfectly.
• Pimentos: Mild, sweet pepper that adds subtle color and gentle flavor.
• Black Olives: Briny and salty ingredient that provides depth to the salad.
• Parsley, Dill: Fresh herbs that enhance overall flavor profile, use fresh when possible.
• Garlic: Aromatic ingredient that adds depth, fresh grated provides most intense flavor.
• Lemon Juice: Bright acid that balances the creamy dressing.
• Kosher Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance all other flavors.

How to Make Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad Fast

Step 1: Boil Water Like a Pro

Fill a large pot with water, sprinkle in a generous pinch of salt, and crank the heat to high. Wait for the water to bubble and dance with a rolling boil.

Step 2: Crisp Up the Bacon

Grab a large skillet and heat it to medium. Lay out bacon strips and cook, flipping occasionally, until they turn golden and crunchy. Transfer to a plate, let cool, then crumble into delightful bite-sized pieces.

Step 3: Cook the Pasta to Perfection

Drop the Cavatappi pasta into the boiling water. Stir gently to prevent sticking. Cook 1 minute longer than the package recommends. Drain and rinse with cold water, then set aside to cool completely.

Step 4: Whip Up the Creamy Ranch Dressing

• Mayonnaise
• Sour cream
• Buttermilk
• Fresh chopped parsley
• Fresh dill
• Lemon juice
• 1 clove grated garlic
• Kosher salt
• Ground black pepper

Whisk until smooth and tangy.

Step 5: Build Your Flavor-Packed Salad

• Cooled pasta
• Halved grape tomatoes
• Cubed cheddar cheese
• Thawed peas
• Drained pimentos
• Drained black olives
• Half of the crumbled bacon
• 2 thinly sliced green onions

Mix everything until well combined and coated.

Step 6: Finish with a Flourish

Give the salad a taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Sprinkle the remaining bacon bits on top. Garnish with extra fresh dill for a pop of color and flavor. Chill for 1 hour before serving to let the flavors mingle.

Pioneer Woman Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad Recipe

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4.8 from 26 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Hearty Pioneer Woman bacon ranch pasta salad delivers a tangy, creamy sensation perfect for summer gatherings. Crisp bacon, zesty ranch dressing, and tender pasta combine into a crowd-pleasing dish you’ll crave at every potluck and picnic.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1 package (12 ounces / 340 grams) bacon
• 1 pound (454 grams) cavatappi pasta
• 1 pint (473 milliliters) grape tomatoes, halved
• 6 ounces (170 grams) sharp cheddar cheese, cubed
• 1 cup (150 grams) thawed frozen peas

Creamy Sauce Components:

• ½ cup (120 milliliters) mayonnaise
• ½ cup (120 milliliters) sour cream
• ½ cup (120 milliliters) buttermilk
• 1 ½ tablespoons (22 milliliters) fresh lemon juice
• 1 garlic clove, grated
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper

Garnish and Additional Ingredients:

• ¼ cup (15 grams) chopped flat-leaf parsley
• ¼ cup (15 grams) chopped fresh dill
• 1 small jar (4 ounces / 113 grams) pimentos, drained
• 1 can (3.8 ounces / 108 grams) sliced black olives, drained
• 4 green onions, thinly sliced

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Instructions

1. Initiate water preparation by bringing a spacious pot to a vigorous boil, incorporating a substantial pinch of salt (approximately 1 tablespoon or 15 grams) to enhance flavor and elevate cooking temperature.
2. Simultaneously, transform bacon strips in a skillet over medium heat (around 350°F or 175°C), rotating periodically until achieving a golden, crisp texture. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate, allowing cooling before fragmenting into rustic, bite-sized morsels.
3. Submerge cavatappi pasta into the bubbling water, stirring intermittently to prevent adhesion. Extend cooking duration by one minute beyond package recommendations, ensuring optimal texture. Drain thoroughly and rinse under cold water to halt cooking process.
4. Construct the creamy dressing by amalgamating mayonnaise, sour cream, and buttermilk in a capacious mixing vessel. Incorporate finely chopped parsley, dill, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and grated garlic. Season meticulously with 2 teaspoons (10 grams) kosher salt and 1 teaspoon (5 grams) freshly ground black pepper.
5. Merge cooled pasta with halved grape tomatoes, cubed cheddar cheese, thawed green peas, drained pimentos, and sliced black olives within the dressing-laden bowl. Introduce half the crumbled bacon and thinly sliced green onions, gently tossing until ingredients are harmoniously distributed.
6. Conduct a final flavor assessment, adjusting seasonings as warranted. Garnish with remaining bacon fragments and delicate sprigs of fresh dill, creating a visually appealing and flavor-rich presentation.

Notes

• Rotisserie or leftover chicken adds protein and flavor to this classic pasta salad.
• Swap chicken with other proteins like diced ham or crispy bacon for variety.
• Shredded chicken blends seamlessly with ranch dressing and pasta.
• Precooked chicken saves time during meal preparation.
• Always dice or shred chicken into bite-sized pieces for easy eating.
• Cold pasta salad tastes better when chicken is chilled before mixing.
• Store-bought rotisserie chicken works perfectly for quick assembly.
• Grilled or baked chicken breasts can be cooled and chopped for this recipe.
• Season chicken with salt and pepper before adding to enhance overall taste.
• Meal prep tip: cook and cool chicken in advance for faster salad creation.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 661
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 887 mg
• Fat: 41 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 21 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 57 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 18 g
• Cholesterol: 55 mg