Bacon Ranch Macaroni Salad

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

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 the bacon.

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until cooked through but firm to the bite, 8 minutes; drain.

Rinse macaroni with cold water until cool; drain.

Mix cooled macaroni, crumbled bacon, mayonnaise, red onion, green bell pepper, ranch salad dressing mix, and Cheddar cheese together in a large bowl.

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 4 hours before serving.