An easy throwback recipe, decidedly vintage, this Retro Cold Pasta Salad with Bacon and Ranch is the perfect addition to absolutely any meal!
It’s time once again for Secret Recipe Club and I cannot believe a whole month has already flown by.
How in the world did we get to August already?
I feel like the summer has simply flown by.
This year we are homeschooling, so the “back to school” date doesn’t affect us.
However I was surprised to learn our district goes back WEDNESDAY.
Yes, August 6. I mean what? Geez. They just got out.
Anyway, like I said, it’s hard to believe it’s almost over and that Fall is staring us down, though I must admit I am ready for some cooler weather.
I know *gasp* all you summer lovers won’t understand, but my favorite season is Fall and I simply cannot wait.
However, one of my most favorite things to enjoy in the summer are cold pasta salads.
I have been known to cheat a time or two and purchase a mix just to make it easier and my mix of choice would generally be Suddenly Salad.
I was assigned Wildflours Cottage Kitchen this month for the Secret Recipe Club and she has oodles of amazing recipes, including this awesome retro cold pasta salad that is so incredibly reminiscent of Suddenly Salad and pretty darn close to one we’ve made before from my Nana.
Essentially this is the copycat of all copycat recipes. Just sayin’.
Okay so maybe not, but my goodness is it good and we’ve now made this version a couple of times and it’s excellent.
We actually wound up picking Kelly’s Retro Homemade “Shell Salad” with Ranch, Bacon, Carrots & Baby Peas because we were needing a salad for an upcoming BBQ.
This one just seemed to fit the bill and wasn’t difficult to triple to feed everybody.
Plus, doesn’t a cold pasta salad like this one, just scream summer?
Thanks Kelly!
We love your version and it’s FAR better than it’s original counterpart!
Get ready for some truly delicious throw back yumminess!
Recipe for Retro Cold Pasta Salad
Retro Cold Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1 ounces Ranch Dip Mix
- ½ teaspoons onion powder
- ¼ cup Hormel Real Bacon Bits
- 1 carrot shredded
- 1 cup frozen baby peas thawed
- 2 cups shell pasta uncooked
Instructions
- In a medium, mix the first 5 ingredients together.
- Fold in frozen peas. Set aside to allow flavors to combine.
- In a medium pot, cook pasta according to package directions.
- Drain and rinse with cold water.Shake collander to remove excess water.
- Stir the pasta once or twice and then gently fold the dressing mixture into the pasta.
- Chill for 2 hours. Can be served slightly warm as well.
Yummy, who doesn’t love pasta salad? This looks so good, right down to the bacon bits 🙂
Thanks so very much, Nicole, for the wonderful job you did making my recipe! I’m so happy to hear that you all enjoyed it! 😀
Love this…pasta salad is so fun. 🙂
And, I had your blog this month! 🙂 I made your sour cream muffins and added blueberries…so good! 🙂 Thanks for a great recipe. 🙂
Gotta love anything with bacon added. Looks wonderful!
I’m an honorary group A member this week, and loving all of the delicious recipes I’m finding. My kids love pasta salad, and this recipe is very similar to the one I make, so I know it’s good. The only thing different is I don’t add carrots, and use bottled ranch dressing instead of the dry mix. Yours looks great and reminded me I need to make some again soon, it’s been awhile.
Stopping by from Group D to say that his pasta salad looks amazing. I love cold pasta salads – it doesn’t have to be summer to enjoy one either. 🙂
*this
mmm, looks so good! pasta salad is my fave!
This is the best recipe EVER!!! However I’ve toned down both the onion powder and the ranch dressing mix as it was on the salty side. I added a bit of plain yogurt to lessen the saltiness and it’s perfect! I’m sure the entire bowl will be devoured for my 4th of July pool party. Just remember to add your dry spices in parts and taste as you go to make sure it’s not too salty or overly ranch. You’ll love this recipe!!!
This is the best recipe EVER!!! However I’ve toned down both the onion powder and the ranch dressing mix as it was on the salty side. I added a bit of plain yogurt to lessen the saltiness and it’s perfect! I’m sure the entire bowl will be devoured for my 4th of July pool party. Just remember to add your dry spices in parts and taste as you go to make sure it’s not too salty or overly ranch. You’ll love this recipe!!!