Amazing Bacon-Ranch Pasta Salad

     One of the things that we have enjoyed eating during this no-bake, hot summer is salad! They have to be hearty salads, too, because even though we are hot, we are also hungry!  I made a few of those pre-packaged types of salads, but they always taste a bit packaged and you have to make a few packages to have enough to feed everyone. Not to mention, there are always weird ingredients that we have never heard of in pre-packaged food,  plus a very small amount of dried out bits of what were once vegetables. I figured I could come up with my own, healthier and tastier version of our favorite flavors on my own.
      Around our house, we love bacon.  If anyone ever posts anything about bacon on Facebook, they always tag my oldest son.  He is the King of all bacon lovers.  One version of the packaged salads that we all enjoy is the bacon ranch flavor. Okay, bacon may not fit in with the "healthier" stamp, but since I am using the real thing and not artificial flavoring, it sure is tastier! I will be sure to tag my son once this blog is completed because today I am going to give you the recipe for my HOMEMADE version of Bacon-Ranch Pasta Salad.  (By the way, I loved the big red bowl that I used to make this salad in.  It comes in a colorful set with lids!  My daughter received them as a wedding gift.  I liked them so much, I bought my own.   There is an affiliate link to order them on the sidebar.)

Here is the deliciously crisp bacon, draining on a paper towel.

Cook the pasta shells until they are slightly al dente. You want it to hold up to all of the blending of ingredients. But, not too firm.

I used a can of corn, or you could use frozen peas, green onions and shredded carrots.

Chunks of mozzarella cheese and diced tomato rounded everything out. Don't forget the bacon!

Add the pasta and blend all of the ingredients together! It already looks delicious without the dressing!

Use a packet of ranch dressing mix to make a dressing mixed with mayo and blend into the salad.

So delicious!

,  Bacon-Ranch Pasta Salad

A 1 lb. bag of small pasta shells, cooked and drained
1 lb. bacon, cooked crispy and cut into bite-sized pieces.
1 can of corn kernels, drained
1 bunch of green onions, chopped
1 carrot, shredded
about 2 cups mozzarella cubes
1 diced tomato
1 package dry ranch dressing mix
1 cup mayonnaise

In a large bowl, blend the vegetables, bacon and pasta together.  
Mix the dressing mix with the mayonnaise.  Mix this into the pasta mixture. Chill before serving, if you can wait!

​Enjoy!

       You can probably imagine a lot of other stir-ins that would be delicious in this salad.  Let me know what your favorite salad stir-ins are in the comments section!