Take this fresh and delicious creamy tomato pasta salad with bacon to your next back yard picnic or bbq. This pasta salad is easy to make and packed with fresh ingredients.
Chilled pasta salads are such a hit in the summer, so keep a few handy salad recipes in your picnic idea rotation for different pasta ideas.
Learn how to make yummy creamy tomato pasta salad with green peas, cheese and bacon.
Gear up for picnic season with this delicious, chilled pasta salad that has all of your family’s favorite ingredients -pasta, ranch dressing, tomatoes and bits of bacon and cheese. Super-yummy side dish for a backyard dinner as well.
No one can pass up a summer pasta salad, and this one is sure to please everyone at your picnic or party. Make a day in advance to let the flavors blend or make before your picnic and let chill for at least one hour before serving. Both ways this is a great pasta salad for any event!
Ingredients Needed for Creamy Tomato Pasta Salad:
- Rotini pasta
- Mayonnaise – learn how to make homemade mayonnaise
- Sour cream
- Milk
- 1 package dry ranch dip mix
- Bacon
- Green peas
- Grape tomatoes
- Sharp cheddar cheese
How to Easily Make Pasta Salad – Quick Instructions:
- Cook pasta, drain and put back in the same pan.
- Combine mayonnaise, sour cream, milk and dry ranch packet ingredients in a small bowl and set aside.
- Add all remaining ingredients to a large bowl and toss gently.
- Stir in dressing and mix until all ingredients are well coated.
- Refrigerate at least 1 hour to allow flavors to combine.
All the ingredients are just bursting with freshness. This pasta salad is even more delicious after a few days so make sure to have enough leftovers.
Delicious Creamy Tomato and Bacon Pasta Salad perfect for your picnics
- 12 oz. rotini pasta
- 2/3 cup mayonnaise
- 2/3 cup sour cream
- 1/3 cup milk
- 1 package dry ranch dip mix
- 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 9 oz frozen green peas, thawed
- 1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, diced
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Cook pasta, drain and place back in the pan.
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Combine mayonnaise, sour cream, milk and dry ranch packet ingredients in a small bowl and set aside.
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Add all remaining ingredients to the pan with the cooked pasta and toss gently.
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Stir in dressing and mix until all ingredients are well coated.
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Refrigerate at least 1 hour to allow flavors to combine.
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Serve cold.
Peas can be thawed overnight in the refrigerator or place them in a colander and run cold water over them until thawed.
What Goes Well with Creamy Pasta Salad
Oven Fried Chicken Legs
Cast Iron Chicken Thighs
Picnic Corn on the Cod
Make this Pasta Salad in Advance
We all know that pasta salads just get better with age, so make this salad in advance. A pasta salad can last about 5 days so make this salad the day or two before your picnic or outdoor gathering. Just store in an airtight container until ready to serve. Mix a little before serving.
Can I use Bottled Ranch Dressing?
Yes, you can sub bottled ranch dressing, but we love the freshness of the spice packet with mayonnaise. Start with about 3/4 cup bottled ranch dressing.
How to Store the Leftover Pasta Salad
We store everything in an airtight glass container. Leave pasta salad in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. Leftovers are delicious so they can be used for lunch or a snack.
What is the Best Pasta to Use?
We love to use rotini pasta instead of macaroni because the dressing gets caught in the groves of the little swirls. You could also use penne pasta or bow tie pasta as well. Cook the pasta in salted water and drain to let the pasta dry before mixing.
What else Could be Added to This Pasa Salad?
Sliced black olives
Red pepper
Green Pepper
Pepperoni
Fresh chopped herbs
More Family Friendly Pasta Salad Recipes you Will Love
Ham and Cheese Pasta Salad
Caprese Pasta Salad
Tortellini Antipasto Salad
Old Fashioned Pea Salad
