Beef Bacon Ranch Chicken Beef Pasta Salad Recipe

Get ready for a flavor explosion with this incredible Chicken Beef Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad! Combining hearty chicken, savory ground beef, crispy bacon, and a creamy ranch dressing, this salad is packed with layers of taste and texture. It’s the ultimate crowd-pleaser for potlucks, barbecues, or a satisfying family meal.

Ingredients

• 1 pound penne or rotini pasta
• 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 8-10 slices bacon, cooked crispy and crumbled
• 1-1.5 cups ranch dressing (store-bought or homemade)
• 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/2 cup red onion, finely diced
• 1 cup bell pepper (any color), diced
• 1 cup frozen corn, thawed and drained
• 1.5 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley or chives, chopped (for garnish, optional)

Instructions

1. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain, rinse with cold water to stop cooking and cool down, then set aside in a large bowl.
2. While pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add bacon slices and cook until crispy. Remove bacon, drain on paper towels, then crumble once cooled. Set aside.
3. In the same skillet (drain most of the bacon fat, leaving about 1 tablespoon), add ground beef. Cook over medium heat, breaking it up with a spoon, until no longer pink. Drain any excess fat. Season with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Set aside to cool slightly.
4. If your chicken isn’t pre-cooked, cook chicken breasts (by boiling, baking, or pan-frying) until cooked through. Shred or dice into bite-sized pieces.
5. Prepare your vegetables: halve the cherry tomatoes, finely dice the red onion, and dice the bell pepper.
6. Add the cooked chicken, cooled ground beef, crumbled bacon, halved cherry tomatoes, diced red onion, diced bell pepper, thawed corn, and shredded cheddar cheese to the bowl with the cooled pasta.
7. Pour the ranch dressing over all the ingredients. Gently toss until everything is thoroughly combined and coated with the dressing.
8. Taste the salad and adjust seasonings (salt, pepper) if needed.
9. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 1-2 hours before serving. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully.
10. Serve chilled, garnished with fresh parsley or chives if desired.