Bacon Ranch Macaroni Salad

This ranch macaroni salad is more delicious than others because it has bacon and Cheddar cheese! It tastes even better when made the day before serving.

• Preparation Time: 20 mins
• Cooking Time: 25 mins
• Total Time: 45 mins
• Calories: 583 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 6 slices bacon
• 1 pound elbow macaroni
• 1 (1 ounce) package ranch salad dressing mix
• 1 (8 ounce) package Cheddar cheese, cut into small cubes
• 0.5 small red onion, diced very small
• 0.5 small green bell pepper, diced very small

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Cook bacon in a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat until crisp, about 10 minutes; drain on a plate lined with paper towels until cool. Crumble bacon and set aside.

Step 2

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni in boiling water, stirring occasionally, until cooked through but firm to the bite, about 8 minutes; drain. Rinse macaroni with cold water until cool; drain again.

Step 3

Mix cooled macaroni, crumbled bacon, mayonnaise, red onion, green bell pepper, ranch salad dressing mix, and Cheddar cheese together in a large bowl until well combined. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours before serving.