Bacon Ranch Macaroni Salad Recipe

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: 20 mins
• Total Time: 40 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.