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.
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 Recipe – You’ll need these ingredients.
Prepare the 12oz package of Shell Pasta according to the directions on the box. Drain and set aside.
You’ll need about 8 strips of cooked Bacon. Chop it up into small pieces. Set aside.
You’ll need one cup of chopped Roma Tomatoes. I removed the seeds and then chopped up the tomatoes.
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?
Add 1/2 cup of Duke’s Mayonnaise. You have to know by now that Duke’s is my favorite. Smile.
Add one teaspoon of Apple Cider Vinegar.
Add 1/2 teaspoon of Garlic Powder.
Add the packet of Ranch Seasoning.
Grab a large spoon and stir everything together.
Add the cooked and drained shell pasta.
Add the chopped bacon.
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.
Add the one cup of chopped Roma Tomatoes.
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?
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.
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.
Enjoy!
