Creamy High Protein Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
A bright and tangy pasta salad that's high in protein, featuring a creamy yogurt dressing with crispy bacon, cheddar, and cherry tomatoes. Perfect for potlucks and meal prep.
Ingredients
Pasta Salad Ingredients
- 8 oz pasta (your choice) Twists, shells, or corkscrews are ideal.
- 4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled Choose thick-cut bacon.
- 1 cup Greek yogurt Full-fat or 2% for the best texture.
- 1/2 cup ranch dressing Look for a ranch with real buttermilk.
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved Freshly sliced for brightness.
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese Use freshly shredded cheese.
- 1/4 cup green onions, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste Adjust seasoning based on bacon saltiness.
Instructions
Preparation
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions; drain and let cool.
- In a large bowl, combine the Greek yogurt and ranch dressing to create the dressing.
- Add the cooked pasta, bacon, tomatoes, cheddar cheese, and green onions.
- Stir everything together until well mixed.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Notes
Quickly cool pasta on a sheet pan to prevent clumping. Can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Don't freeze due to dairy and tomato separation.