It’s Grilling Season! This time of the year is my favorite time because we get to cook out every weekend, enjoy time outside with our family and friends, and just take it all in!! Not to mention, Giant Eagle is a one-stop shop for all of our essential grilling needs. Just tonight, we had friends over and watched the kids hitting in our batting cage, jumping on the trampoline, and just sat back and talked…it was wonderful! Today, I wanted to share one of my “go-to” recipes for grilling season…the Best Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad. It’s homemade, you can add whatever veggies you like to it, and it’s FULL of flavor and feeds a crowd! Win-Win-Win!! I like to make the pasta with mayo and then serve it with all-beef grilled hot dogs topped with ketchup, with that thick and rich taste that you love, and it’s the easiest way to feed a crowd on the cheap!
Let’s get into this easy homemade pasta salad recipe…
This recipe is so simple; you just need your favorite box of pasta (I used Rotini pasta) and then you need mayonnaise , a packet of dry ranch, and any veggies you want to add in. I added in slivered carrots, black olives, peas, and then of course, the bacon bits! I run through Giant Eagle’s Curbside Express and pick up everything I need along with all-beef hot dogs, fresh buns, ketchup, and a bag of frozen fries and I have an entire meal to feed a crowd with minimal effort in the kitchen!!
Start by cooking your pasta until it’s ready and then run it under cold water. Meanwhile, you can be getting your veggies and your Miracle Whip+ ranch packet ready. I pour the veggies and bacon bits directly on top and then mix the mayo in with the dry ranch to create an awesome pasta sauce.
Pour the mayo and ranch mixture directly onto the pasta and then toss well to coat! Try not to eat it all before your guests arrive!
This recipe is a family favorite and whenever my family shows up to visit, we are more often than not on the back deck, chatting, watching the kids play, and grilling out!
Like I mentioned, we grill our hot dogs and then pair them with our Bacon Ranch Pasta salad. Everyone enjoys the delicious combination and I enjoy the lack of a mess in the kitchen!
Grab the full recipe below!
Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad Recipe
Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 1 box Rotini
- 1 cup mayo
- 1 packet dry ranch
- 1 can sliced olives
- 1/4 cup bacon bits
- 1 cup peas
- 1 cup sliced carrots
Instructions
- Cook the Rotini (or other pasta such as penne) al dente. Run cold water over it to cool.
- Add in carrots, olives, peas, and bacon bits.
- In separate bowl, mix together mayo and dry ranch and cream together until smooth. Pour over pasta salad and mix well.
- Serve cold immediately.
I hope you enjoyed this delicious Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad recipe, and I hope you take the time to head out this summer, spend time with your family and friends, and do ALL the grilling out that you possibly can!
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