Description
A creamy, tangy, and savory pasta salad made with penne, bacon bits, and ranch dressing. This budget-friendly meal costs under $5 for the whole batch and serves as a perfect meal prep solution.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz penne pasta
- 1/2 cup shelf-stable bacon bits
- 1 packet ranch dressing mix (approx. 0.7 oz)
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup shredded carrots
- 2 stalks green onions, chopped
- 1/4 cup sour cream or Cool Whip (optional)
- Salt for boiling water
Instructions
- Fill a medium saucepan with 4 cups of water and bring to a rolling boil. Add 1 teaspoon of salt.
- Add the penne pasta and cook according to package directions for al dente (usually 8-10 minutes). Stir to prevent sticking.
- While pasta cooks, combine mayonnaise and ranch dressing mix in a large mixing bowl. Whisk until smooth.
- Add shredded carrots, chopped green onions, and bacon bits to the bowl. Stir to combine.
- Drain the pasta in a colander. Do not rinse. Let it drain for 30 seconds.
- Dump the hot pasta directly into the bowl with the ranch mixture.
- Toss vigorously to coat every piece of pasta. If the mixture is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water.
- Let the salad sit at room temperature for 10 minutes to cool slightly.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 10 minutes (or overnight) to allow flavors to meld before serving.
Notes
Save a splash of starchy pasta water to loosen the sauce if it becomes too thick. The salad tastes better after chilling overnight. Do not freeze, as the mayo will separate. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of the batch
- Calories: 380
- Sodium: 650
- Fat: 18
- Carbohydrates: 45
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 8
Keywords: budget meal, pasta salad, ranch dressing, bacon bits, meal prep, cheap dinner, student meals, quick recipes