Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad Recipe

The flavors of bacon, tomatoes, and ranch-style dressing make this pasta salad an excellent choice for a potluck or cookout. The recipe makes a big batch of pasta salad and it's easy to double for a crowd. Dry ranch dressing mix is combined with mayonnaise and sour cream to make the savory dressing. If you don't have the dressing mix, feel free to use about 1 1/2 to 2 cups of prepared ranch-style dressing. Cheese is optional, but it does increase the protein to the salad. Another way to make the mixture heartier and more abundant in protein is to add drained beans or chickpeas. Diced cooked turkey or chicken, or cooked shrimp would be excellent as well.