Addictive Crack Pasta Salad (Printable)

Creamy pasta salad with crispy bacon, sharp cheddar cheese, and ranch seasoning. A crowd-pleasing side for any occasion.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 oz rotini or elbow macaroni

→ Dairy & Dressings

02 - 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
03 - 1 cup sour cream
04 - 1/2 cup mayonnaise
05 - 1 packet (1 oz) ranch seasoning mix

→ Proteins

06 - 8 slices bacon, cooked until crispy and crumbled

→ Vegetables

07 - 2/3 cup frozen peas, thawed
08 - 3 stalks green onions, sliced thin

→ For Garnish (Optional)

09 - Extra bacon, cheddar, or green onions

# Directions:

01 - Cook the pasta according to package instructions. Drain, rinse under cold water, and set aside to cool completely.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together sour cream, mayonnaise, and ranch seasoning until smooth.
03 - Add cooled pasta to the bowl, then fold in cheddar cheese, bacon, peas, and green onions. Toss well to combine.
04 - Chill pasta salad in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to meld.
05 - Garnish with extra bacon, cheddar, or green onions before serving, if desired. Serve cold.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The creamy ranch dressing clings to every twist of pasta, ensuring no bland bites in the entire bowl
  • Crispy bacon and sharp cheddar create this irresistible salty-savory crunch that keeps people coming back
02 -
  • Rinse that pasta thoroughly with cold water or the residual heat will melt your cheese and make the whole thing weirdly greasy
  • This salad actually tastes better after sitting overnight, so consider making it the day before your event
03 -
  • Skip the pre-shredded cheese and grate your own block—the extra creamy factor is worth the five minutes of effort
  • Let the salad come to room temperature for about fifteen minutes before serving if it's been chilling overnight

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