05/29/2026
Cookout side dishes are the kind of big family-style trays that disappear before the burgers even come off the grill
1. BLT Ranch Pasta Salad
Ingredients
12 oz rotini pasta
1 cup bacon bits
1 cup ranch dressing
2 cups chopped romaine lettuce
1 1/2 cups shredded mild cheddar cheese
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
Cook the rotini pasta according to package directions until tender. Drain and rinse under cold water.
Transfer the pasta to a large bowl.
Add bacon bits, ranch dressing, romaine lettuce, cheddar cheese, cherry tomatoes, and red onion.
Toss everything together until evenly coated.
Season with salt and black pepper if needed.
Chill for 30 minutes before serving.
2. Loaded Deviled Egg Macaroni Salad
Ingredients
12 oz elbow pasta
6 large eggs
1 cup mayonnaise
2 tbsp yellow mustard
1 tsp paprika
2 celery stalks, diced
2 green onions, sliced
Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
Cook elbow pasta according to package directions. Drain and let cool.
Place eggs in a saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil, then cook for 10 minutes. Cool, peel, and chop the eggs.
In a large bowl, mix mayonnaise, yellow mustard, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
Add pasta, chopped eggs, celery, and green onions.
Stir until everything is well combined and creamy.
Sprinkle extra paprika on top before serving.
3. Cheesy Bacon Ranch Potato Salad
Ingredients
1 bag diced hash brown potatoes
1 cup ranch dressing
1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 cup bacon bits
1/2 cup sliced green onions
1/2 cup sour cream
Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
Cook the diced hash brown potatoes according to package directions until tender. Let cool slightly.
Place potatoes in a large mixing bowl.
Add ranch dressing, shredded cheddar cheese, bacon bits, green onions, and sour cream.
Mix until evenly combined.
Season with salt and black pepper.
Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving cold.
4. BBQ Bacon Baked Beans
Ingredients
2 cans baked beans
1/2 cup barbecue sauce
8 slices bacon, cooked and chopped
1/4 cup ketchup
1 tbsp yellow mustard
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 small onion, diced
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
In a baking dish, combine baked beans, barbecue sauce, ketchup, mustard, brown sugar, onion, and chopped bacon.
Mix well until combined.
Bake uncovered for 35–40 minutes until hot and bubbly.
Serve warm.
