Creamy pasta salad with smoky bacon, ranch, Alfredo, and fresh veggies; ideal for sharing or a tasty side.
# Ingredient List:
→ Pasta
01 - 12 ounces rotini or penne pasta
→ Meats
02 - 8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
→ Vegetables
03 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
04 - 1 cup cucumber, diced
05 - 1/2 cup red onion, finely chopped
06 - 1/2 cup sweet corn kernels (optional)
→ Cheeses
07 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
08 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
→ Dressings & Sauces
09 - 3/4 cup prepared Alfredo sauce
10 - 1/2 cup ranch dressing
→ Herbs & Seasonings
11 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
12 - Salt and black pepper, to taste
# Directions:
01 - Cook pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water according to package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water to halt cooking.
02 - In a skillet over medium heat, fry bacon until crisp. Drain cooked bacon on paper towels and allow to cool before crumbling.
03 - In a large mixing bowl, gently toss together cooled pasta, crumbled bacon, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, corn, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese.
04 - In a separate bowl, whisk together Alfredo sauce and ranch dressing until smooth and cohesive.
05 - Pour the sauce mixture over the salad ingredients. Toss gently to ensure even coating throughout.
06 - Season with salt and black pepper. Fold in chopped parsley for freshness.
07 - Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to develop. Toss before serving and optionally garnish with extra parsley or Parmesan.
