Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad Recipe

Follow our easy, step-by-step, photo illustrated instructions to learn how to make this delicious pasta salad. I mean, c’mon, it’s got Ranch and Bacon. Printable recipe included.

A cool and refreshing pasta salad that makes for a great side dish, or just eat it by the bowl full. The flavors of Ranch Dressing and Bacon make for an awesome combination.

Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad, slider.

I am so proud of the Dill from my garden that I had to find a recipe to use some of it in. Only needed two teaspoons, but that was enough to get excited about. And, the bacon and Ranch seasoning didn’t hurt. Smile.

Years back, my wife made something very similar to this from a box mix. It was one of those things that you liked so much, that you ate it real often and then got tired of it. Ever done that?

I hadn’t had this in a very long time, so when I discovered this recipe and saw that it used fresh Dill, I knew I wanted to give it a try. I made a few tweaks, so I hope you’ll like it as much as I did should you try it.

This summer is the very first time I’ve had a container garden on my back deck. I had one tomato plant, and one small pot filled with Dill.

For reasons I’ve still yet to figure out, I had a packet of Dill seeds on my desk. They were probably a year or more old, but they did come up. So, I’ve called this the Taste of Southern FARM ever since.

Sadly, this was the only time I got to try any of the Dill though. Caterpillars found the plant and about four of them stripped every single leaf of Dill off the stems. Can you imagine eating nothing but all that Dill?

So much for farming. Smile.

Please share your results with me in the Comment section at the end of the recipe if you try it. I enjoy hearing how it turns out for others.

Ready to give our recipe a try? Alright then, let’s head on out to the kitchen, and… Let’s Get Cooking!

Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad, ingredients.

Bacon-Ranch Pasta Salad Recipe – You’ll need these ingredients.

Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad, prepare pasta.

Prepare the 12oz package of Shell Pasta according to the directions on the box. Drain and set aside.

Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad, chop the bacon.

You’ll need about 8 strips of cooked Bacon. Chop it up into small pieces. Set aside.

Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad, chop the tomatoes.

You’ll need one cup of chopped Roma Tomatoes. I removed the seeds and then chopped up the tomatoes.

Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad, add sour cream.

Place one cup of Sour Cream in a large mixing bowl. I just used the same pot I had boiled my pasta in. No need to mess up another dish, right?

Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad, add mayonnaise.

Add 1/2 cup of Duke’s Mayonnaise. You have to know by now that Duke’s is my favorite. Smile.

Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad, add vinegar.

Add one teaspoon of Apple Cider Vinegar.

Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad, add the garlic powder.

Add 1/2 teaspoon of Garlic Powder.

Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad, add dressing mix.

Add the packet of Ranch Seasoning.

Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad, stir well.

Grab a large spoon and stir everything together.

Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad, add the pasta.

Add the cooked and drained shell pasta.

Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad, add the bacon.

Add the chopped bacon.

Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad, add the cheese.

Add 1 cup of the shredded Parmesan Cheese.

This is one of the very few times you’ll ever see me add a packaged cheese. I could have bought a block of parmesan, but it’s a bit expensive and more than I would need. Don’t judge me.

I prefer to grate my own cheese when possible. It’s much better than using the packaged grated cheese that has that white powdery stuff on it. Smile.

Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad, add the tomatoes.

Add the one cup of chopped Roma Tomatoes.

Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad, fresh dill.

I’m using fresh Dill, right off of the “farm.”  I grew this in a plastic container out on the back deck this summer. I had one pot of Dill, and one whole tomato plant. That is enough to be considered a “farm” isn’t it?

Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad, add the dill.

You’ll need two teaspoons of fresh Dill. I just pinched the leaves off the harder stems and tossed them into the bowl with all the other ingredients.

Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad, fold gently.

Gently fold everything together until it’s all fully combined.

Cover and refrigerate for TWO HOURS before serving.

This will let all the flavors blend together.

Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad, enjoy.

Enjoy!

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