You’re probably asking yourself, what in the heck is Crack & Cheese Pasta Salad?!?!? Let me explain. Years ago I came across a recipe for Crack Potatoes that were so good I’ve become famous for them in my circle of friends. The pan comes home licked so clean I have a hard time telling if it’s already been washed…LOL! I’ve been obsessed with “crack” ever since. A “cracked” recipe contains the trifecta of delicious flavors; smoky bacon, creamy ranch and sharp cheddar cheese. When you add this holy trinity of flavors to a recipe you end up with “crack”. Which is just code for, “Oh my gosh this is stinking good, I can’t stop eating it. Have you seen my stretchy pants anywhere?”
How To Make Mac & Crack Pasta Salad:
Boil pasta according to the package directions. Drain and rinse with cold water. Set aside.
Cook bacon until crisp and crumble. Set aside.
Shred cheddar cheese. Set aside.
Slice green onions. Set aside.
Combine, mayonnaise, sour cream, Ranch seasoning, bacon, and pickled jalapeños in a large mixing bowl.
Stir together.
Add green onions and shredded cheddar cheese to the mixing bowl. Reserve some of the crumbled bacon, shredded cheddar cheese, and green onions for garnish if desired.
Stir together.
Add cooked pasta and stir to combine.
Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate for a couple hours before serving.
Top salad with reserved crumbled bacon, shredded cheddar cheese, and sliced green onions to serve.
This pasta salad is delicious served with Grilled Chicken for an easy meal. Tired of dry as sawdust chicken breasts? This foolproof stovetop method produces juicy, flavor packed results every time and pairs beautifully with this creamy flavorful pasta salad.
Or perhaps the men in your life have a hankering for a juicy steak? An easy to make fresh garlic and cilantro marinade ramps up the flavor of your favorite steaks and keeps them nice and juicy on the grill. Give these juicy and flavorful, Garlic-Cilantro Marinated Grilled Steaks a try.
Or perhaps pork chops are on the menu. Never eat a dried out, leathery pork chop ever again! Brining them produces flavorful juicy chops that are tender and moist, every time. Learn how to brine pork chops for the Juiciest Grilled Chops Ever.
This super easy to make pasta salad is the perfect side dish of all your summer barbecues, pool parties, potlucks, and get togethers. It makes a ton of food that will easily feed a large crowd. I’m betting you won’t come home with any leftovers what-so-ever!
Mac & Crack Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 16 oz pasta, penne, bowtie, or elbow
- 1¼ cup mayonnaise
- 1¼ cup sour cream
- 3 tbsp Ranch seasoning mix
- ½ cup pickled jalapeno peppers, chopped
- 5 strips bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled
- 8 oz sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 bunch green onions, sliced
Instructions
- Boil pasta according to the package directions. Drain and rinse with cold water. Set aside.
- Cook bacon until crisp and crumble. Set aside.
- Shred cheddar cheese. Set aside.
- Slice green onions. Set aside.
- Combine, mayonnaise, sour cream, Ranch seasoning, bacon, pickled jalapeños, green onions and shredded cheddar cheese in a large mixing bowl. Reserve some of the crumbled bacon, shredded cheddar cheese, and green onions for garnish if desired.
- Stir together.
- Add cooked pasta and stir to combine.
- Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate for a couple hours before serving.
- Top salad with reserved crumbled bacon, shredded cheddar cheese, and sliced green onions to serve.
Did You Make This?
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“Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
1 Corinthians 10:31
Remember…Jesus ❤️’s you!