Chicken Beef Beef Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad Recipe
Prepare for a flavor explosion with this ultimate Chicken Beef Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad! Loaded with tender chicken, savory ground beef, crispy bacon, and a creamy ranch dressing, this dish is a hearty and satisfying meal on its own. Perfect for potlucks, BBQs, or a delicious weeknight dinner, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that brings together all your favorite comfort food elements.
Ingredients
- 1 pound pasta (rotini, fusilli, or penne)
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 12 slices bacon, cooked crispy and crumbled
- 1-1.5 cups ranch dressing (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup frozen corn, thawed and drained
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 cup red onion, finely diced
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for cooking ground beef)
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain, rinse with cold water, and set aside to cool completely.
- While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain any excess fat. Season the beef with salt and pepper to taste, then set aside to cool.
- In a separate pan or microwave, cook bacon until crispy. Drain on paper towels and then crumble into small pieces. Set aside.
- In a very large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, cooled ground beef, cooked chicken, and crumbled bacon.
- Add the halved cherry tomatoes, thawed corn, diced red bell pepper, and finely diced red onion to the bowl.
- Pour the ranch dressing over all the ingredients. Add the shredded cheddar cheese and chopped parsley (if using).
- Gently toss all ingredients together until everything is well coated with the ranch dressing.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
- Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 1-2 hours before serving to allow the flavors to meld. Stir well before serving.
