Hidden Valley Ranch Pasta Salad

4.97 from 26 votes

Hidden Valley Ranch Pasta Salad

Hidden Valley Ranch pasta salad with curly Rotini pasta, cheddar cheese, bacon, and Hidden Valley Ranch Seasoning is an incredible and satisfying pasta salad that is a MUST at BBQs, potlucks, picnics, and cookouts. Easier to make than boxed bacon ranch salad (and better tasting too); if there are any leftovers the next day, they make a perfect side dish for lunch. Great with almost anything, this recipe is one of those perfect summer salad recipes!

Prep Time10

Chill4

Total Time4 10

Course: Salad Recipes

Cuisine: American

Keyword: pasta salad, ranch

Servings: people

Calories: 394kcal

Author: Trisha Haas - Salty Side Dish

Ingredients

8 oz. Rotini Pasta cooked
1 cup mayonnaise
1 oz. Hidden Valley dry ranch seasoning
10 slices bacon cooked and chopped
1 pint grape tomatoes halved
3.8 oz. black olives drained
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Instructions

Prepare Pasta: Cook eight oz. of rotini pasta as per package instructions, then drain and rinse under cold water to cool.
Mix Salad: In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta, 1 cup of mayonnaise, and one oz. of Hidden Valley ranch seasoning. Stir until the pasta is well-coated.
Add Extras: Fold in 10 slices of cooked and chopped bacon, 1 pint of halved grape tomatoes, 3.8 oz. of drained black olives, and 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese into the pasta mixture. Combine and Mix well.
Chill: Refrigerate Ranch Pasta Salad for 4 hours to allow flavors to come together. Stir well before serving.

Video

Notes

EXPERT TIPS

Short on time? Use bottled Kraft Hidden Valley Ranch dressing to pour over pasta salad in place of ranch seasoning packet and mayo.
This recipe can easily be doubled for a potluck, party or BBQ and makes great left overs. The longer pasta salads sit (12-24 hours) the more flavorful they often become.
Make bacon in the air fryer to speed it up or simply use pre-made bacon.
If serving left overs, make sure to stir well to prevent settling. If the fridge has dried out any part of the pasta salad (which does happen occasionally) simply add a bit more mayo OR pre-made ranch and stir until creamy again.

How much does pasta salad feed?

This is a fairly large salad, serving approximately 8-10 and makes a great party or picnic side dish salad.

Does Ranch Pasta Salad have to be served cold?

This pasta salad is best served cold, so put in the fridge for 4 hours for best flavor, stirring well just before serving.

I hate mayo, is there a substitution?

I fully understand that mayo may not be the best choice for every person but it DOES make the best ranch dressing. That being said, try using SOUR CREAM as a texture replacement.

Nutrition