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Shortcut Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

This pasta salad is really a shortcut recipe. Only 4 ingredients is all it takes for this wonderful dish. Perfect for any gathering
Course Appetizer, pasta salad, Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine American
Keyword bacon ranch, bow tie pasta, pasta salad, ranch dressing
Servings 8 sides
Author Pam

Ingredients

  • 16 ounce box bow tie pasta
  • 8 ounce block cheddar cheese, I used mild
  • 6.3 ounce box precooked bacon, I used Oscar Mayer
  • 16 ounce bottle ranch dressing, I used Olive Garden for this recipe
  • ground pepper to taste, this is optional

Instructions

  1. 1.Cook pasta as directed on box. Drain thoroughly and you can rinse in cold water and drain again.

    2.Chop up the cheese into little cubes. Cut up the precooked bacon as well. Save a little of each for garnish.

    3.In a large mixing bowl, add the pasta. Then add in the cheese and bacon. Gently mix to combine. Try not to break up the pasta.

    4.Add in the whole bottle of dressing. Again, gently toss to coat everything. I like using two large wooden spoons to do this.

    5.Place in fridge for just about 30 minutes or up to 24 hours. Top with saved cheese and bacon. Now, serve up! ( pasta salad can stay in fridge up to 2 days in a sealed container. Enjoy!