Reviewed: Aug. 3, 2008

This was really good! I realized when I started that the dressing is a lot like I make my ranch dressing, only instead of 1/2 cup of milk, I use a cup of buttermilk. Then about 1/8 to 1/4 cup of sour cream. Everything else, I kept the same for the dressing. I used halved grape tomatoes instead of 1 whole tomato. My salad is still creamy after about 8 hours. It has wonderful flavor too! Thanks for the recipe!

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Raoulysgirl

Cooking Level: Intermediate

Home Town: Linn Creek, Missouri, USA

Living In: Camdenton, Missouri, USA

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Reviewed: Aug. 2, 2008

I think that this is a good base recipe, and can really be altered to fit anyone's tastes. We're veggie lovers here, so we omitted the olives and added a handful each of onions, celery, and green pepper for some added veggie flavor. Also laid some sliced cucumbers on top for a little extra fun... Cooked chicken would have been great in here too, I think we'll try that next time!

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rellis44

Cooking Level: Intermediate

Living In: Auburn Hills, Michigan, USA

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Reviewed: Jul. 27, 2008

I wish I could give this 5 stars but I cant due to the fact that this salad gets very dry after being refrigerated. I only made this salad about 4-5 hours prior to our party, and even saved some of the dressing to coat and mix in at the party before serving. It wasnt dry to the bone, but it wasnt creamy either. But.....the flavors were all there! This was very tasty! I used fresh cooked crumbled bacon, gemelli pasta, baby cherry tomatoes quartered, scallions, and some broccoli florets. I also used reduced fat mayo, milk, and 2% shredded cheddar. I thought this salad was really good and I will make again....great for a pot luck and makes a ton. Next time, I will DOUBLE the dressing, toss half when making the salad and the other half(so there is more)before serving. Thanks!

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SLJ6

Cooking Level: Expert

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Reviewed: Jul. 26, 2008

Excellent!!!!!!!!!!!! I have pickie eaters in my family and they even liked it. I was asked for the recipe for it all the barbeque.

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Pamela

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Reviewed: Jul. 22, 2008

Very awesome! I used Hellman's olive oil mayo and used organic Sunday bacon that I cooked that morning with my pancakes. This was a huge hit at my party.

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AMYMGUY

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Reviewed: Jul. 19, 2008

I would have given this recipe 5 stars but after a couple of hours in the fridge the dressing was completely soaked up and it was rather dry. If you add milk to loosen it up you lose the flavor, I suggest reserving some of the dressing to toss the pasta salad with before serving. Also, if you are not a huge fan of bacon, I would add some bacon bits instead of freshly cooked bacon because it is a very strong flavor in this dish. Overall it was pretty good and I would make it again with those modifications.

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BigAspirations

Cooking Level: Expert

Home Town: Denver, Colorado, USA

Living In: Leawood, Kansas, USA

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Reviewed: Jul. 17, 2008

My hubby LOVED it! He is a gourmet cook. No way did I tell him how easy this was.

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Mrs. Erin

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Reviewed: Jul. 15, 2008

Really easy to make and everyone loves it. I find it a little bland if you don't add Lowery's or something...I also use cherry/grape tomatoes whole so that people can either pick them out or it won't gunk up your leftovers. Definately go with bacon bits over real bacon - the flavor comes thru more.

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Layzaar

Cooking Level: Expert

Home Town: Kansas City, Missouri, USA

Living In: Charlottesville, Virginia, USA

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Reviewed: Jul. 7, 2008

I don't normally like pasta salad, but I have to admit that this one was really good. I didn't have time to make the bacon so I purchased real bacon bits. I'm sure the regular, crispy bacon would have been better and I'll try it next time. I would also add a bit more mayo, as I think I would like it a bit more wet.

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Kelly W.

Cooking Level: Intermediate

Home Town: Biloxi, Mississippi, USA

Living In: D'iberville, Mississippi, USA

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Reviewed: Jul. 6, 2008

easy and tasty salad but does not referigerate well.

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Police Officer's wife

Cooking Level: Expert

Home Town: Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

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Reviewed: Jul. 6, 2008

I thought this was fine but not great. It was too dry so I had to add more of the dressing. I could not find garlic pepper so I just increased the garlic powder a bit and added pepper. It still had an overpowering flavor of garlic. The tomato wilted too fast also and I saw that people were picking them out. I don't think I would make this again.

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happycook

Cooking Level: Expert

Living In: Shoreview, Minnesota, USA

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Reviewed: Jul. 6, 2008

My fiance loved this salad!

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RESSAS

Cooking Level: Expert

Home Town: Medical Lake, Washington, USA

Living In: Tucson, Arizona, USA

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Reviewed: Jul. 4, 2008

Beyond yummy!

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lovesusa

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Reviewed: Jul. 3, 2008

This recipe was great, better than box kind. It didn't lose flavor or moisture the next day!

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Meg

Cooking Level: Intermediate

Home Town: Plainwell, Michigan, USA

Living In: Cullman, Alabama, USA

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Reviewed: Jun. 27, 2008

I really loved this recipe. I read all the other reviews and tried to implement all the other reviews suggestions. I added, broccoli, red pepper, green onions, cherry tomatoes, and omited the cheese. I didn't have garlic pepper so I added more garlic powder and used black pepper. I made sure I cooked the bacon in the microwave to make it extra crispy and right before mixing I added the bacon. So a great recipe if you plan to do this for a party and this allows you to make it a day before, but just don't mix it until the party. I think next time I will add more veggies to this dish. Thank you for the recipe, everyone loved it!

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Erica

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Reviewed: Jun. 27, 2008

this salad turned out really dry. i made it the night before i needed it, and wish i would have brought some extra ranch dressing or something. it just wasnt creamy like i expected. the flavor was good though.even though i came home with more leftovers than i would have liked i think i will give this recipe another shot.

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mistycolleen

Cooking Level: Expert

Living In: New London, Wisconsin, USA

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Reviewed: Jun. 24, 2008

AHH, just ok. I actually didn't have enough ranch as the recipe called for, you need 2 packets to get 3 tablespoons. And w/ not enough I thought is was too ranch tasting.

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Mamarua

Cooking Level: Intermediate

Home Town: East Hartford, Connecticut, USA

Living In: South Glastonbury, Connecticut, USA

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Reviewed: Jun. 22, 2008

I used 2 tbls of regular ranch mix and 1 tbls of "Fiesta Ranch" dip mix by Hidden Valley. It added a fantastic kick and I think I will use even more next time!! I didn't think this recipe could get any better... and I love that I can enjoy a pasta salad that doesn't take like italian dressing.

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Leslie Leona

Cooking Level: Intermediate

Home Town: Pasco, Washington, USA

Living In: Spokane, Washington, USA

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Reviewed: Jun. 18, 2008

Great hearty flavor. Not a light salad. Tastes much better than Suddenly Salad. I used half the bacon and no olives. I added frozen peas with 3 minutes left in the boiling pasta. Will use fresh, uncooked peas when in season. I also used a whole wheat blend pasta for half of the rotini which added color and flavor. Definitely a keeper and what's great is there are no trans fats like in the boxed pasta mixes.

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