If you need an EASY and CHEAP side dish or add some meat and have a complete meal, this is it! All the ingredients are simple and you more than likely you will have them all in stock in your kitchen. So, give my Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad a try!
Your family will love this Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad, and have them coming back for seconds and thirds, LOL! It may have been the yummy ranch dressing, but whatever it takes to LOVE meals then I’m all for it!
Can I add meat to my Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad?
Yes! To make this salad a complete meal, add some extra protein, here are some examples:
- bbq pork chop – this is my favorite! Take leftover, COLD BBQ pork chop and chop it up and add to this salad! YUMMO!
- rotisserie chicken
- drained cans of chicken breasts
- leftover chicken
- pepperonis
- chopped ham
- smoked sausage
- chopped up lunch meat, like turkey or ham
What other veggies or add-ins can I add to my Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad?
- any kind of olives
- bell peppers
- grape tomatoes
- any kind of nuts
- shredded carrots
- cauliflower
- jalapeno peppers
- green onions
What ingredients are in Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad? (scroll down for the full printable recipe card)
- cooked shell pasta or choose any kind of pasta
- shredded chicken
- shredded cheese or cubed cheese – any kind will work, I prefer sharp cheddar, but Pepper Jack cheese would be yummy too!
- bacon or bacon bits
- Ranch dressing
What main dishes goes with a Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad?
- steak
- chicken
- hamburger patties
- pork chops – BBQ pork chops are my favorite!
How do I make Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad? (scroll down for the full printable recipe card)
- Cook the pasta noodles per the box instructions, rinse and drain
- Add cooked pasta noodles, shredded cooked chicken, shredded cheese, bacon bits and Ranch dressing to the bowl of dressing
- Take a wooden spoon and mix well, completely covering the salad with the dressing
- Chill and serve!
Yield: 4-6 servings
Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
Easy and delicious
Prep Time
5 minutes
Cook Time
15 minutes
Total Time
20 minutes
Ingredients
- 8 oz or 1/2 lb box of shell pasta noodles
- 1 cup shredded cooked chicken
- 1/2 cup shredded cheese
- 1/2 cup bacon bits
- 1 cup Ranch dressing
Instructions
- Cook the pasta noodles per the box instructions, rinse and drain
- Add cooked pasta noodles, shredded cooked chicken, shredded cheese, bacon bits and Ranch dressing to the bowl of dressing
- Take a wooden spoon and mix well, completely covering the salad with the dressing
- Chill and serve!
Try some of our other recipes!
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