Bacon Ranch Macaroni Salad Recipe
This bacon ranch macaroni salad blends tender pasta with smoky bacon, sharp Cheddar, and herby ranch seasoning for a bold, tangy bite. Crunchy red onion and green bell pepper add freshness, while a mayonnaise dressing ties it together. Perfect for lunch, picnics, or potlucks, Bacon Ranch Macaroni Salad tastes best well-chilled so the flavors meld.
- Prep20 mins
- Cook20 mins
- Serves8
- DifficultyEasy
easyChef Pro health score
Calculated from USDA-referenced nutrient data for the ingredients in Bacon Ranch Macaroni Salad Recipe, not estimated by an AI model. The same recipe returns the same score every time.
- Glycemic ImpactFair
- 47 / 100
- Carb quality, not quantity. Higher is better.
- Nutritional DensityPoor
- 0 / 100
- Nutrients per calorie. Higher is better.
- Energy DensityPoor
- 29 / 100
- Calories by weight. Higher means more food for fewer calories.
- NOVA Processed Food
- 3 / 4
- Processing level, 1 (whole) to 4 (ultra-processed). Lower is better.
How it scores for each health goal
The same recipe scores differently against different goals, because the goal changes the calculation rather than filtering a list. Set your goal in easyChef Pro and every recipe is scored against it.
- 14
- Heart Health
- 61
- Metabolic
- 27
- Digestive
- 45
- Inflammatory
- 40
- Performance
- 23
- General Wellness
- 1
Cook the bacon in a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat until crisp, about 10 minutes; drain on a paper towel-lined plate until cool. Crumble the bacon. Set aside.
- 2
Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook the elbow macaroni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until tender yet slightly firm, about 8 minutes; drain. Rinse the macaroni with cold water until cool; drain again.
- 3
Combine the macaroni, bacon, Cheddar cheese, mayonnaise, red onion, bell pepper, and ranch mix in a large bowl. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap; refrigerate for at least 4 hours before serving.
- Calories 491.51 kcal High 25%
- Protein 15.24 g Good Source 30%
- Carbohydrate 52.3 g 19%
- Total Fat 25.52 g High 33%
- Saturated Fat 5.22 g High 26%
- Trans Fat 0.1 g High --
- Cholesterol 27.7 mg Moderate 9%
- Sodium 618.64 mg High 27%
- Dietary Fiber 3.31 g Moderate 12%
- Total Sugars 4.88 g --
- Added Sugars 0.37 g Low Source 1%
- Calcium 213.81 mg Moderate 16%
- Iron 2.45 mg Moderate 14%
- Potassium 344.91 mg Low Source 7%
- Vitamin A 72.11 mcg Low Source 8%
- Vitamin C 1.72 mg Low Source 2%
- Vitamin D 0.06 mcg Low Source 0%
Values are per serving. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet.
- Milk 🥛
- Wheat 🌾
- Gluten
- Onions 🧅
About This Recipe
Bacon Ranch Macaroni Salad Recipe is an American side dish recipe made with 7 ingredients. It takes about 40 mins, serves 8, and is rated easy. Key ingredients include Bacon, Cheddar Cheese Cubes, Green Bell Pepper, and Macaroni. Each serving provides about 491.51 kcal, and is a good source of protein.
Recipe Questions
- What is Bacon Ranch Macaroni Salad Recipe?
- It is an American salad recipe made with 7 ingredients, usually served for side dish or dinner or lunch or salad.
- What is Bacon Ranch Macaroni Salad Recipe made of?
- The main ingredients are Bacon, Cheddar Cheese Cubes, Green Bell Pepper, Macaroni, Mayonnaise. The full list of 7 is above.
- How long does it take to make Bacon Ranch Macaroni Salad Recipe?
- About 40 mins in total: 20 mins to prepare and 20 mins to cook.
- How many calories are in one serving?
- One serving provides about 491.51 kcal. The full nutrition breakdown is above.
- Is Bacon Ranch Macaroni Salad Recipe easy to make?
- This recipe is rated easy, with 7 ingredients and 3 steps.
- Is Bacon Ranch Macaroni Salad Recipe healthy?
- Bacon Ranch Macaroni Salad Recipe has an easyChef Pro health score of 28/100. Per serving, it provides 491.51 calories and 15.24 g of protein, or 30% of the Daily Value. Worth noting per serving: sodium at 618.64 mg (27% of the Daily Value) and saturated fat at 5.22 g (26% of the Daily Value). It contains Milk, Wheat, Gluten and Onions, so it may not be suitable for people with those allergies or dietary restrictions. Whether it fits your goals depends on your complete meal plan and nutritional needs. Remix it in easyChef Pro to adjust the ingredients and generate fresh nutrition and scores.
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