Our easy bacon pasta salad is a great cold side dish for a potluck or picnic. You can load it up with cheese, peas and bell peppers to enjoy with hamburgers. You can use any noodles you like but rotini is our favorite.
Is there anything better than bacon pasta salad with ranch dressing or mayonnaise? You really can use your favorite creamy dressing to coat all your ingredients and it’s literally the perfect side dish for any meal and always steals the show at get-togethers and BBQs.
We have changed this up a number of different ways depending on whether I want to add meat. We have added diced rotisserie chicken or cut up Instant Pot hamburgers if it is being served as a main dish, and it was wonderful that way.
Keep in mind that creamy pasta salads are also one of those recipes that just gets better the longer it sits. It’s like the magic keeps happening on this dish as it’s stored overnight in the fridge!
Ingredient Notes
You are going to want to really load up with all of the veggies folded inside or served on top like our vegetable pasta salad does. Diced red onions, peas, cucumbers and bell peppers are top on our list.
You can make a batch of no peel hard boiled eggs, dice them up and add protein into the mix too.
As far as the dressing goes you can keep it bland with just mayonnaise to coat or with Ranch dressing folded in there (bottled) will bring more of a zing to the dish and easy as ever.
If you’ve ever been to a party or summer BBQ, I’m certain that you’ve eaten some variance of this and our cabbage salad dish. Everyone tends to add their own spin on it which makes it fun to eat.
Tips for Making the Best Pasta Salad
You also don’t want to overcook your noodles. Then as you’re adding them to whisk, you just might mush them up or have them fall apart.
Make certain that you keep the salt and pepper handy for everyone to add their own to their bowl. Some people prefer this noodle salad with bacon and some sweet. Others like to have a bit of heat from the pepper and salt as well.
When you’re serving this simple dish, the easiest serving size for me to remember is to serve in 1/2 cups. This is a hefty portion of pasta to eat. Make certain that none of it goes to waste either.
How do you cool down noodles fast for cold pasta salad?
One of the biggest tips to remember is that you need to drain and rinse the pasta with cold water right when it is done. It’s a simple method that stops the noodles from getting mushy, gives them that texture and chew you want and cools it down fast so you can add other ingredients together.
Bacon Pasta Salad Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Bowl
- 1 pot to boil noodles
Ingredients
Dressing
- 2/3 cup mayonnaise, skip below if using ranch dressing instead
- 1/2 cup parmesan , shredded
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tsp dry mustard
- 1 tbsp garlic, minced
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions, drain and rinse under cold water.
- Mix ingredients for dressing in a bowl and put cooled pasta in another larger bowl.
- Add peas, red pepper, onion and bacon and gently mix together with pasta. Then add dressing and gently toss to coat everything. Sprinkle in remaining parmesan cheese and mix.
- Cover, refrigerate for at least 1 hour ideally before serving.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to save leftover pasta salad
If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, just store them in an airtight container and place them in the fridge. The next day you’ll notice even more flavors coming from this simple bacon ranch salad. It’s a pretty safe bet to say that the leftovers won’t last longer than 2-3 days.
Is it better to make pasta salad ahead of time?
That is subjective but I say yes!! Reason being is if you make the day before, cover tightly and store in the fridge the noodles will soak up the sauce and/or mayo so they are even more flavorful. I wouldn’t make this more than a day ahead of time but yes. Before serving add a bit more mayo, toss to moisten it up and enjoy.
Is it OK to eat cold leftover pasta?
As long as it has been saved in an airtight container in the fridge within 3 days, yes. When you’re looking for a fast dish that will deliver every time, this needs to be on your radar. I’m always amazed at how far it stretches. As you can see, anything fresh from the garden with a crispy texture would make a great addition.
When it comes to a simple salad dish that is certain to impress. Keep this recipe near and dear to your cooking heart. It’s one of those delicious dishes that are the perfect combination between hearty sides and an easy and fast meal. If you want a great duo, this is How to Make a Salad with Brussel Sprouts to make another cold side.
Like I always say when cooking. Practice makes perfect so don’t delay in cooking up this tasty side dish to share with your family and friends! Looking for other delicious side dishes? We have tons on our site and you’re certain to find some that you love here!
Another great side dish is our asparagus pasta salad you should try, adding veggies are just the best.
