Hearty, creamy, and packed with flavor
👋 Hey there!
If you love pasta salad and you’re into bold, smoky flavors — this Loaded Cowboy Pasta Salad is for you.
It’s creamy, crunchy, a little bit spicy, and full of goodies like bacon, cheddar, corn, and BBQ ranch dressing.
This one always gets eaten fast at cookouts and potlucks, and it’s great for picky eaters and hungry teens alike.
You can make it ahead, bring it to a picnic, or just eat it straight out of the bowl for lunch. I won’t judge!
🧡 Why I Love This Recipe
This dish was inspired by summer cookouts with my cousins — someone always brought a pasta salad, and someone else always brought something smoky and cheesy. So I thought… why not just put it all in one bowl?
- You can make it ahead!
- It’s super kid-friendly
- It has ranch and BBQ sauce — enough said
- Feeds a crowd without breaking the bank
- Tastes even better the next day
🛒 What You’ll Need
- 12 oz rotini pasta
- 1 cup cooked and crumbled bacon
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup canned or frozen corn (thawed)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup diced red bell pepper
- 1/2 cup sliced green onions
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
- 3/4 cup ranch dressing
- 1/4 cup BBQ sauce
- Salt and pepper, to taste
👩🍳 Tools You’ll Need
- Large pot for boiling pasta
- Colander
- Large mixing bowl
- Cutting board + knife
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Measuring cups + spoons
💡 Pro Tips
- Cook the pasta al dente — it holds up better when tossed with dressing.
- Let the pasta cool before mixing everything or the cheese will melt too much.
- Use thick-cut bacon for the best crunch!
- Add a little extra ranch right before serving if it’s been in the fridge — pasta soaks it up.
- Kids love this with a handful of crushed Fritos on top!
🔁 Substitutions and Variations
- Swap cheddar for pepper jack if you want a kick.
- Use turkey bacon or veggie bacon to make it lighter.
- Add diced avocado just before serving for a creamy twist.
- Try bowties or penne instead of rotini — any short pasta works!
🕒 Make-Ahead Tips
- You can make the whole salad up to 1 day ahead.
- Store it covered in the fridge.
- Add a splash of dressing before serving to freshen it up.
👩🍳 How to Make Loaded Cowboy Pasta Salad
Step 1: Cook the pasta
Boil a large pot of water, salt it, and cook 12 oz rotini pasta until just al dente (about 8–9 minutes). Drain and rinse under cold water.
Step 2: Mix the dressing
In a small bowl, whisk together 3/4 cup ranch dressing and 1/4 cup BBQ sauce until smooth.
Step 3: Prep the mix-ins
While the pasta cools, prep the other ingredients: crumble 1 cup cooked bacon, shred 1 cup cheddar cheese, halve 1 cup cherry tomatoes, dice 1/2 cup red bell pepper, slice 1/2 cup green onions, and chop 1/4 cup fresh cilantro.
Step 4: Combine everything
In a large mixing bowl, add the cooled rotini pasta, crumbled bacon, shredded cheddar, corn, cherry tomatoes, red bell pepper, green onions, and cilantro. Pour the BBQ ranch dressing over it and gently toss everything together until coated.
Step 5: Chill and serve
Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors mix. Give it a quick stir before serving.
🍽 What to Serve With
- Grilled burgers or hot dogs
- BBQ chicken or pulled pork
- Cornbread or garlic toast
- Watermelon slices for a sweet finish
🧊 Leftovers + Storage
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Stir in a little ranch if it seems dry.
- Not freezer-friendly, but great cold the next day!
❓FAQ
Can I use a different pasta shape?
Yep! Bowtie, penne, or shells all work great.
What if I don’t like BBQ sauce?
You can leave it out and use all ranch — still delicious.
Can I make it vegetarian?
Totally. Just skip the bacon or use a veggie version.
🥰 Let’s Wrap It Up
This Loaded Cowboy Pasta Salad is one of those dishes that brings everyone back for seconds — creamy, smoky, cheesy, and just a little tangy. Make it once and I promise it’ll be your new go-to for parties and potlucks.
Give it a try and let me know how it goes! Drop a comment below if you have any questions or want to share your own twist on it. 🤠💛