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Creamy Cowboy Pasta Salad Delight

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A creamy, smoky, and flavorful pasta salad perfect for summer BBQs, combining rotini pasta, crispy bacon, sharp cheddar, fresh veggies, and a tangy ranch-inspired dressing.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces (225g) rotini or elbow macaroni
  • 6 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked crisp and chopped
  • 1 cup (100g) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup diced bell peppers (red and green mix)
  • 3 stalks green onions, thinly sliced
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved (optional)
  • ½ cup (120ml) ranch dressing (homemade or store-bought)
  • ¼ cup (60g) sour cream
  • ¼ cup (60g) mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces (225g) of rotini or elbow macaroni and cook according to package instructions until al dente (about 8-10 minutes). Drain well in a colander and return to the pot while still warm.
  2. While pasta cooks, fry 6 slices of thick-cut bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crisp (about 6-8 minutes). Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain and cool. Once cooled, chop into bite-size pieces.
  3. In a bowl, whisk together ½ cup (120ml) ranch dressing, ¼ cup (60g) sour cream, ¼ cup (60g) mayonnaise, ½ teaspoon smoked paprika, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Adjust seasoning to taste.
  4. Dice 1 cup bell peppers (red and green mix), thinly slice 3 green onions, halve 1 cup cherry tomatoes (optional), and shred 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese.
  5. Pour the dressing over the warm pasta in the pot. Toss gently to coat all the pasta evenly. Add the chopped bacon, veggies, and cheese, folding carefully to mix without breaking the pasta.
  6. Stir in 2 tablespoons of freshly chopped parsley if using. Taste and adjust salt and pepper if needed. Serve immediately or chill for 30 minutes to meld flavors.

Notes

Toss pasta with dressing while warm for better flavor absorption. Chill for at least 30 minutes for flavors to meld. If salad feels dry after chilling, add a splash more ranch dressing or a teaspoon of olive oil. Avoid overcooking pasta to prevent mushiness. Add bacon last to keep it crunchy.

Nutrition

Keywords: pasta salad, creamy pasta salad, cowboy pasta salad, summer BBQ, bacon pasta salad, rotini salad, picnic recipe

Find it online: https://nadinetable.com/creamy-cowboy-pasta-salad-delight-easy-recipe-for-summer-bbqs/