Cold Bacon Pasta Salad Recipe

Bacon pasta salad is a great cold side dish for a potluck or picnic. During a barbecue load it up with cheese and enjoy with hamburgers. You can use any noodles you like to make this pretty for your next potluck.

Bacon Macaroni Salad Recipe

It has a creamy consistency. Then you get the bites of cheddar cheese and black olives, making it reminiscent of a delicious cheddar bacon ranch pasta salad. Next thing you know, you’re suddenly gobbling it up faster than you think. This dish is reminiscent of a delicious macaroni salad with bacon. The first step is to precook your favorite meat!

You can add diced rotisserie chicken if you’d rather or cut up some leftover Instant Pot hamburgers during the summertime. Going to a potluck? This is always a hit.

This has been my favorite cold salad that I have enjoyed for the day a time or two if we have leftovers. I’m not ashamed to admit it. I’ll happily fill my plate over and over again to have this fill my tummy with goodness. 

Keep in mind that this is 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! 

Bacon Pasta Salad Ingredients

• Veggies on top like our roasted vegetable pasta salad
• Fresh cilantro
• Slivered almonds
• Diced cucumbers
• Shredded cheese
• You can make a batch of no peel hard boiled eggs, dice them up and add protein into the mix.

Variations

You could add a dry ranch seasoning dressing packet in addition too. This simple seasoning will take this simple pasta side dish to a whole other level if you love it. The big tip that I have to share with you about the dressing mix is that you might make certain that you really get it stirred up. Eliminate any big clumps.

If you’re looking for fast ways to change up the flavor and taste, you can easily accomplish this. Tweak the toppings that you’re adding on top. I love to add chopped green onions and chives, but there are others that would be amazing, too.  Some great toppings could be:

I’ve actually made this with pasta in a few different ways. I like the variety as it keeps it a “new” dish for everyone to enjoy.  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.

I’ve eaten it with sour cream and Ranch salad dressing. It’s great just loaded down with red onions as well. (But I will say that I prefer my recipe above them all!) 

This recipe isn’t hard. Learn from a few of my blunders in the past so that you don’t make them as well. 

Tips for Making the Best Pasta and Bacon 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.

How to Make Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

• Cook pasta according to package directions, drain and rinse under cold water.
• Mix ingredients for the creamy 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.
• You can serve as is but I like to cover with saran wrap, refrigerate for an hour and then serve it.

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.