I’ve got the best Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad made mayo, sour cream, olives, parmesan, cheddar, bacon and more! Perfect BBQ or summer side dish! Full of flavor!
You know how you’re always craving the perfect pasta salad or my broccoli pasta salad for spring and summer? Or is that just me? Once spring makes an appearance, there are so many events to gather for! Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, graduation parties, Memorial Day, BBQs, 4th of July. With all those gatherings… you’re going to need a good pasta salad in your arsenal, and lucky you, I have the perfect one!
Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
This Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad can be your main dish for a simple meal, or as a side dish. It’s the perfect recipe, that’s also easy to make and everyone loves it!
You can make it just like I have listed in the recipe, or you can get creative and add your favorite ingredients. This makes it so versatile to cater to each event. My secret ingredient is Hidden Valley® Original Ranch® Salad Dressing & Seasoning Mix. I can do anything when I use that magical package of goodness. So when I was asked to partner with them and develop a recipe beyond the typical garden salad, I knew exactly what I’d make! 
I keep a few packets in my pantry at all times. I use it in my Cafe Rio Chicken recipe and my Crockpot Mississippi Roast recipe. You’d be surprised with how many ways you can use Hidden Valley® Original Ranch® Salad Dressing & Seasoning Mix in recipes that aren’t for dressings and dips.For this Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad, I use these main ingredients. Of
For this Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad, I use these main ingredients. Of course, you can add extra veggies. 
Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad Base Ingredients
- Pasta
- Hidden Valley® Original Ranch® Salad Dressing & Seasoning Mix
- Cheddar Cheese
- Parmesan Cheese
- Bacon
- Tomatoes
- Garlic Powder
Optional Ingredient Ideas
- broccoli
- artichoke hearts
- avocado
- carrots
- pickles
- try anything you think sounds good!
This pasta salad can be put together within 30 minutes. It doesn’t require extra chilling before serving, so that’s a plus. I usually get all my ingredients ready and mix up the Hidden Valley® while my pasta is boiling. 
Once the pasta is done, I rinse it under cold water until it’s completely cooled. Then you just mix it all together and serve right away, or put it in the fridge for later. How’s that for versatility?
Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
Everyone's favorite BBQ side dish!
Ingredients
- 1 box elbow macaroni or any pasta cut (12oz)
- 1 packet Hidden Valley® Original Ranch® Salad Dressing & Seasoning Mix
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ cup milk
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 cups sliced yellow and red grape tomatoes
- 1 package (8 or 9 slices) precooked bacon
- 2 small cans sliced olives (or one large one)
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Boil your pasta according to package instructions. You want the pasta to be al dente so it's not over cooked.
- While your pasta is boiling, gather all your other ingredients.
- In a medium bowl, mix up your Hidden Valley® Original Ranch® Salad Dressing & Seasoning Mix with the mayo, sour cream, milk and garlic powder and set aside.
- Place all other ingredients in a large bowl.
- Once your pasta is finished, rinse under a cool stream of water until all the pasta is cool.
- Place the pasta in with the other ingredients, add the dressing and toss until well coated.
- Chill or serve right away.
Notes
Use any cut of pasta. Rotini, penne, or elbow. I use precooked bacon from my grocery store, but you can cook some up ahead of time if wanted. Any tomato will work. I just prefer the small cherry tomatoes sliced. Add additional ingredients that you love.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving:Calories: 293Total Fat: 22gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 37mgSodium: 418mgCarbohydrates: 14gFiber: 1gSugar: 2gProtein: 9g
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This post was sponsored. All opinions, of course, are 100% mine. I love Hidden Valley® Ranch and was thrilled to partner up!
angie says
My favorite spring/summer event is when I see the first lightning bug of the season. It is so magical and makes me feel like I did when I was a child and saw them. Fairies in the real world! 😀
Cynthia C says
My favorite summer event is the road trip I take to the beach with friends. We call it the best week of the year.
Betty C says
My favorite summer event is Independence Day. I love seeing how excited the kids get when they see the fireworks displays and I have to admit I love the fireworks myself.
Denise L says
My favorite summer event is my son’s birthday. We usually have a big blowout with lots of great food and family.
Ellie Wright says
I love going to all of my two grandson’s Little League games
Stephanie Phelps says
My favorite spring event is the Dogwood festival her in Atlanta!
Linda says
My favorite spring event is watching the Cherry Blossoms bloom, wish I could go every year.
Gina M says
My favorite spring/summer event is memorial day weekend. I love the weather, the pool opening, and yummy grilled food.
Thanks for the chance to win!
wildorchid985 at gmail dot com
Susan Smith says
The 4th of July is my favorite event. We have a BBQ and invite our friends and family to watch fireworks.
Faith J. says
I love going to the festival and watching the hot air balloon show each year!
Anne says
My small rural town has a festival each August to raise funds for the volunteer fire department, and as part of festivities, they have a fireworks display from the town wharf. We live right near the wharf, so my favorite summer event is watching fireworks over the bay from my own deck. It’s like a private display–so fun!
maria cantu says
My daughter loves popping fireworks on the fourth of july.
Kristi says
I really enjoy the Fourth of July. It will be my daughters first and I am excited to see how she likes fireworks. Being together with family to celebrate, have a bbq, play yard games. It’s great. We only a good one every couple years being in NW Washington 😀
Angel Jacklyn says
I love going to the fair every year that comes in summer. Thanks for the chance!
Judith V says
Like many others gardening is my pride. I live in AZ. The desert is challenging. I love to watch the vegetables and flowers come to life.
I dare the desert and win.
Kathy Bondar says
My Summer go to event is any outdoor gathering that requires grilling, beverages and of course salads n fresh fruit. Absolutely love Hidden Valley Ranch packets of so easy, the recipe so fast. Can turn ordinary meals into spectacular.
rachel says
Memorial Day weekend…because my birthday is usually that weekend and I love getting to have my husband around for an extra day off! 🙂
Jeffrey says
My favorite spring “event” is the start of my boys’ baseball seasons. They are at different levels which is great for me, I get to watch more games!
Cheryl B says
We love to go geocaching in the Spring and Summer. It is so fun walking and exploring new places.
OFG says
Any day that we get to go outside as a family and enjoy the weather!
onyinye Elochukwu says
My favorite summer event is our Nigerian community picnic organised in honor of children’s day.
Elle says
My favorite summer event is 4th of July BBQ with friends and family and fireworks.
Anastasia Falling says
My daughters birthday and the 4th of July are two of my favorite summer events 🙂 They’re both a lot of fun and we all love the fireworks 🙂
Maureen says
My husband’s birthday is during the Summer and he takes the day off work and we spend it together.
Allison Swain says
My favorite summer event is having a Fourth of July get together and picnic.
Thanks for the chance to win this!
heather says
My favorite summer event is the local county fair we love to go every year as a family and have fun.
Angie | Big Bears Wife says
I’m all over anything that has ranch in it! Yum!!! ooo and bacon + Ranch + pasta? I’d be in heaven!
Kim says
We are cut from the same cloth Angie! I’m with you!
Kathy E. says
This pasta salad looks perfect for one of my favorite summer events and that is eating outside on our deck! Hidden Valley Ranch is one of my go-to seasonings, so this recipe will be enjoyed on our deck very soon! Thanks for sharing!
Lynn Desroche says
My favorite summer event is the 4th of July. Besides the fact that it’s my birthday, I love spending time with my family and friends and watching the fireworks. I can’t wait to try this recipe!
Natalie says
My favorite event in the summer is the Lifetime Fitness triathlon. I participate in it every year!!
Jennifer Farnes says
playing in my gardens! there’s nothing that brings me greater joy…unless it’s having the grandchildren here playing with me. that’s the very best and i look forward to coming to spend summers with me.
Tonya Atkinson says
My favorite Spring and Summer event is going on vacation with my family to the beach.
Margaret Smith says
I love 4th of July. Each year, we host a bbq and later head over to see our towns fireworks.
Your salad recipe sounds delicious.
Thanks so much.
Julie Wood says
My favorite Spring event happens this month when my City has a big Lilac Parade and all the kids are so excited to get to go! I like your Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad! I will have to make it!
Madeline says
My favorite summer event is the week of my hubby’s birthday, his brother’s b-day, and his father’s b-day. Lots of parties and cake!