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Loaded Pasta Salad

Loaded Pasta Salad Recipe

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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 420
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb rotini or fusilli pasta
  • 8 slices bacon
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1/4 cup buttermilk
  • 1 packet (1 oz) ranch seasoning mix
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1/2 cup chopped green onions
  • 1/2 cup frozen peas, thawed
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Method
 

  1. Cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente, 8 to 10 minutes. Meanwhile, bake bacon on a foil-lined sheet at 400°F (200°C) until crisp, about 15 minutes.
  2. Drain pasta and rinse under cold water until cool.
  3. In a large bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, buttermilk, ranch seasoning, salt, and pepper until smooth.
  4. Chop or crumble bacon. Halve tomatoes and slice green onions. Reserve a third of the bacon and a little green onion for topping.
  5. Add cooled pasta, bacon, cheddar, tomatoes, green onions, and peas to the bowl. Toss until evenly coated.
  6. Transfer to a serving bowl, top with reserved bacon and green onions. Serve right away or chill for 30 minutes to meld the flavors.

Notes

This salad tastes even better after a short rest in the fridge. If you’re making it ahead, add the tomatoes and the reserved bacon just before serving to keep everything fresh and crisp.