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Ranch Macaroni Salad

Creamy Ranch Macaroni Salad Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 300

Ingredients
  

  • 8 oz elbow macaroni
  • 6 slices bacon
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1 packet (1 oz) dry ranch dressing mix
  • 1 cup frozen peas, thawed
  • 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
  • salt and black pepper, to taste

Method
 

  1. Cook macaroni in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water until cool.
  2. Fry bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crisp, 6 to 8 minutes. Drain on paper towels and crumble.
  3. Whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, ranch mix, a pinch of salt, and black pepper in a large bowl until smooth.
  4. Add the cooled macaroni, peas, cheddar, red onion, and half the crumbled bacon. Fold gently until evenly coated.
  5. Transfer to a serving bowl, top with remaining bacon, and serve right away or cover and refrigerate.

Notes

For the best flavor, chill at least 1 hour before serving. The pasta will absorb some dressing as it sits; stir in a tablespoon of milk to loosen it up again. Leftovers keep well, but the bacon loses crunch the longer it sits.