Description

A rich, indulgent, and crowd-pleasing pasta salad featuring smoky bacon, sharp cheddar, and a tangy ranch dressing that holds up well in heat and tastes even better after chilling.

Ingredients

Scale

1 pound elbow macaroni
12 ounces thick-cut bacon
1 medium red onion, finely diced
4 stalks green onions, sliced
2 stalks celery, finely diced
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 cup full-fat mayonnaise
1/2 cup full-fat sour cream
1 packet (1 ounce) ranch dressing mix
2 tablespoons white vinegar
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
1–2 teaspoons hot sauce (optional)

Instructions

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni according to package directions, stopping 1 minute before fully al dente.
Drain pasta and immediately rinse under cold water until completely cool to stop cooking. Shake well to remove excess water.
Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment or foil. Arrange bacon strips in a single layer and bake for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway, until crisp.
Let bacon cool completely on the pan, then chop into small, bite-sized pieces.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, ranch dressing mix, white vinegar, sugar, garlic powder, and black pepper until smooth.
Add cooled pasta to the dressing and toss gently to coat.
Add diced red onion, celery, green onions, shredded cheddar, and chopped bacon. Toss until evenly distributed.
Cover tightly and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, ideally overnight, to allow flavors to meld.
Before serving, stir in a splash of milk or cream if the salad has thickened too much.

Notes

Do not skip the ice bath for the pasta; warm pasta will melt the cheese and make the bacon soggy. Shred your own cheese to avoid anti-caking agents that prevent smooth blending. This salad tastes better after sitting in the fridge for a few hours. Do not freeze or reheat.

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Side Dish
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 380
Sugar: 4
Sodium: 450
Fat: 22
Saturated Fat: 8
Carbohydrates: 35
Fiber: 2
Protein: 12

Keywords: pasta salad, southern pasta salad, bacon pasta salad, creamy pasta salad, party dish, make-ahead recipe, summer side dish, BBQ side