Creamy Ranch Pasta Salad (Printable)
Refreshing creamy pasta with ranch dressing, crisp vegetables and fresh herbs ideal for outdoor gatherings.
# What You’ll 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
→ Ranch 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 for the salad.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, buttermilk, fresh dill, chives, garlic powder, onion powder, dried parsley, salt, and black pepper until smooth and well combined.
03 - Add cooled pasta, cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, red bell pepper, red onion, and thawed peas to the bowl with dressing. Toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly.
04 - Stir in shredded cheddar cheese and crumbled bacon if using. These additions add extra flavor and texture.
05 - Refrigerate pasta salad for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to meld. Toss again just before serving and adjust salt and pepper if needed.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- Its the kind of dish that actually tastes better after sitting for a while, making it perfect for make-ahead situations
- The combination of cool crisp vegetables against creamy tangy dressing hits every craving at once
- You can customize it endlessly based on what you have on hand or what your crowd loves
02 -
- I learned the hard way that skipping the cold water rinse after cooking the pasta leaves you with mushy salad that turns gummy as it sits
- The salad needs that full hour of chilling time for the flavors to really come together, so never try to serve it immediately after assembling
03 -
- Cutting the vegetables into small, uniform pieces ensures every forkful has the perfect balance of flavors and textures
- Taste the dressing before adding it to the salad, then adjust the seasonings since the cold temperature will mute flavors slightly