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bonnie's ranch and bacon macaroni salad

(8 ratings)
ReikiHealsTheSoul avatar
Recipe by
BonniE !
@ReikiHealsTheSoul
Cottonwood, CA

This is a recipe I created tonight, and we ate the whole bowl! We didn't eat anything else, just this salad. My husband had two big helpings, and he doesn't even like macaroni salad! So I would venture to say, it is a total keeper for us. I hope you enjoy it, my friends! Photos are my own and so is this humble recipe.

(8 ratings)
yield 4 to 6
prep time 10 Min
cook time 10 Min
method Stove Top

Ingredients For bonnie's ranch and bacon macaroni salad

  • 8 ounces
    salad macaroni, or ditalini, cooked according to package directions.
  • ranch dressing to taste-- made from the box, not the bottle.
  • salt and cracked black pepper to taste
  • 1
    cup tender celery hearts and leaves, chopped
  • 2
    slim green onions, chopped
  • dash of garlic powder
  • 4
    slices lean cooked bacon, crumbled
  • 2
    large roma tomatoes, chopped
  • OPTIONAL INGREDIENTS:
  • 1/2 cup chopped bell pepper, chopped fried chicken, just about anything you like.

How To Make bonnie's ranch and bacon macaroni salad

  • 1
    Cook the macaroni until it is done the way you like it, drain and rinse. When it is drained, put it in a stainless steel bowl if you have one. Stainless steel gets colder, and your salad will chill faster. Mix all of the ingredients except the bacon. Toss with the chilled ranch dressing--to your taste, and season with salt and cracked black pepper, cover with saran wrap and refrigerate until thoroughly chilled.
  • 2
    Fry the bacon until it is crisp, drain on paper towels, and crumble it. Refrigerate.
  • 3
    Just before serving, add the bacon and any optional ingredients. I store the crumbled bacon in a small baggie in the fridge. Then I add it to each individual serving of salad. This will keep the bacon crisp when serving, especially, the next day.
  • 4
    Cook's Tip: This salad can easily become a main meal by adding cold chopped fried chicken to the finished dish when you add the bacon. I fry chicken tenders to add to my salads. Add some crunchy bread, ice tea, and you have a great meal for hot weather eating. Enjoy!
  • Enjoy!
    5
    Here is how it looks in my new updated photo! :)
  • Last Step: Don't forget to share! Make all your friends drool by posting a picture of your finished recipe on your favorite social network. And don't forget to tag Just A Pinch and include #justapinchrecipes so we can see it too!
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