Creamy Ranch Pasta Salad (Printable)
Refreshing creamy pasta salad with ranch dressing and fresh vegetables, ideal for gatherings and outdoor meals.
# What You Need:
→ Pasta
01 - 12 oz short pasta (rotini, penne, or fusilli)
→ Vegetables
02 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
03 - 1 cup cucumber, diced
04 - 1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced
05 - 1/2 cup red onion, finely chopped
06 - 1 cup frozen peas, thawed
→ Dressing
07 - 3/4 cup mayonnaise
08 - 1/4 cup sour cream
09 - 3 tbsp buttermilk or milk
10 - 1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped or 1 tsp dried dill
11 - 2 tbsp fresh chives, chopped
12 - 1 tsp garlic powder
13 - 1 tsp onion powder
14 - 1/2 tsp dried parsley
15 - 1/2 tsp salt
16 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
→ Optional Add-ins
17 - 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
18 - 1/2 cup cooked and crumbled bacon
# How To Make:
01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain thoroughly and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool pasta.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, buttermilk, dill, chives, garlic powder, onion powder, dried parsley, salt, and pepper until smooth and well combined.
03 - Add cooled pasta, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red bell pepper, red onion, and peas to the bowl with dressing. Toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly.
04 - Stir in cheddar cheese and crumbled bacon if desired.
05 - Refrigerate pasta salad for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to meld. Toss again just before serving and adjust seasoning if needed.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- Its the kind of dish that disappears from the buffet table first, every single time
- The homemade ranch dressing puts those store bought packets to absolute shame
02 -
- Rinse the pasta thoroughly under cold water or it will keep cooking and turn mushy
- The salad tastes significantly better after resting in the fridge for at least an hour
03 -
- Cut all your vegetables slightly larger than you think you should so they maintain their crunch
- Taste the dressing before tossing it with the pasta and adjust seasonings to your preference