Anna Wright
@annawr
Bacon Ranch Mac Salad
A creamy and flavorful macaroni salad loaded with crispy bacon, cheddar cheese, and a zesty ranch dressing mix. Perfect for picnics, barbecues, or as a side dish at any gathering!
Details
- Cuisine:american
- Difficulty:medium
- Estimated Cost:N/A
- Occasion:bbq
- Ingredients:7
- Views:3
Recipe Information
- Prep time25 min.
- Cook time20 min.
- Total time45 min.
- Servings8
Ingredients
- 6 slices
- 1 pound
- 1 cup
- 1/2 small
- 1/2 small
- 1 (1 ounce) package
- 1 (8 ounce) package
Cooking Instructions
Follow our step-by-step guide on how to make Bacon Ranch Mac Salad.
Step 1
Begin by heating a large skillet over medium-high heat and cooking the bacon until it reaches a delightful crispiness, which should take about 10 minutes.
Step 2
Once perfectly cooked, transfer the bacon to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb excess grease and allow it to cool.
Step 3
After cooling, crumble the bacon into bite-sized pieces and set it aside.
Step 4
Next, bring a generous pot of lightly salted water to a rolling boil.
Step 5
Add the elbow macaroni and cook according to the package instructions, stirring occasionally, until it reaches that ideal al dente texture, roughly 8 minutes.
Step 6
Once cooked, drain the macaroni and rinse it under cold water to halt the cooking process, then drain again to remove any excess moisture.
Step 7
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled macaroni with the crumbled bacon, creamy mayonnaise, diced red onion, diced green bell pepper, ranch dressing mix, and cubed cheddar cheese.
Step 8
Gently stir the mixture until all ingredients are harmoniously blended.
Step 9
To enhance the flavors, cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for a minimum of 4 hours before serving.
Step 10
This waiting period allows the ingredients to meld beautifully, creating a deliciously satisfying dish that’s perfect for gatherings or a cozy meal at home.
Step 11
Enjoy the delightful combination of flavors and textures in every bite!.