Skip to recipe

This Patriotic Pasta Salad is the ultimate side dish for your 4th of July BBQ, summer cookout, or any festive gathering. Loaded with crispy bacon, juicy tomatoes, fresh basil, and tossed in a zesty Italian-ranch dressing, it’s a crowd-pleaser that’s as colorful as it is delicious. Serve it chilled or at room temperature – either way, it’s sure to steal the show at your next patriotic party!

Patriotic Pasta Salad

Ingredients:

• 1 pound bow tie pasta – This is what I used!
• 1 cup zesty Italian salad dressing
• 1/2 cup creamy Ranch salad dressing
• 1 pound thick cut bacon cut into strips or crumbled 
• 2 large ripe tomatoes diced
• 2 cups cherry tomatoes cut in half
• 10 leaves crispy romaine lettuce washed, dried, and chopped into bite sized pieces
• 1/3 cup red onion diced
• 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente, about 10 minutes.
2. Drain pasta and rinse under cold water until cool.
3. While the water is coming to a boil, heat a skillet over medium heat; add bacon strips, and cook until crispy, about 4 minutes on each side. Transfer bacon to a paper towel lined plate.
4. Place cooled pasta in a large serving bowl; set aside.
5. In a small bowl combine zesty Italian dressing and ranch, mix well. Add dressing to pasta and toss well to coat pasta.
6. Add bacon, lettuce, tomato, basil and onion to the pasta bowl, mix well to combine, and season with salt and pepper as desired. Serve at once, or chill until needed.

Click HERE for a Downloadable Recipe Card!

Check out some more Patriotic recipes!

Hi I’m Teresa!

I’m a mom to three, a wife and a physician assistant. I also have a degree in Nutritional Sciences and I love sharing all things life with you! I am passionate about empowering you through education, sharing all my fave products and items that have made life better and creating content to give you value!