Bacon Ranch Macaroni Salad

Macaroni salad can sometimes be a little boring. So one day, I just started adding extra ingredients, and this is what I came up with. The whole family loves it! This ranch macaroni salad recipe is even better served the next day, so all the flavors are well incorporated. Enjoy!

Ingredients :

• 6 slices bacon
• 1 pound elbow macaroni
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• ½ small red onion, diced very small
• ½ small green bell pepper, diced very small
• 1 (1 ounce) package ranch salad dressing mix
• 1 (8 ounce) package Cheddar cheese, cut into small cubes

Directions :

1. Cook bacon in a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat until crisp, about 10 minutes; drain on a plate lined with paper towels until cool. Crumble bacon and set aside.
2. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni in boiling water, stirring occasionally, until cooked through but firm to the bite, 8 minutes; drain.
3. Rinse macaroni with cold water until cool; drain.
4. Mix cooled macaroni, crumbled bacon, mayonnaise, red onion, green bell pepper, ranch salad dressing mix, and Cheddar cheese together in a large bowl.
5. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 4 hours before serving.