Creamy Ranch Pasta Salad (Printable View)
Refreshing creamy pasta salad with ranch dressing, fresh vegetables, and herbs—ideal for picnics and gatherings.
# 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
→ 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 Steps:
01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool for salad.
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 the cooled pasta, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red bell pepper, red onion, and peas to the bowl with the dressing. Toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly.
04 - Stir in the optional cheddar cheese and bacon if desired for extra flavor and protein.
05 - Refrigerate the pasta salad for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to meld. Toss again just before serving and adjust seasoning if needed.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The vegetables stay crisp and fresh even after chilling overnight
- Everything comes together in under 30 minutes with almost zero active cooking
- You can prep it ahead and actually relax before guests arrive
02 -
- Rinsing the pasta thoroughly under cold water is absolutely essential, otherwise the heat will melt your dressing and make everything separate and greasy
- The salad needs at least an hour in the refrigerator, but letting it sit overnight makes the flavors sing together even better
- Vegetables can release water as they sit, so if you are making this more than a day ahead, wait to add the cucumber until a few hours before serving
03 -
- Spring for the fresh dill and chives if you possibly can, because dried herbs just cannot give you that vibrant, garden fresh flavor that makes this salad special
- Cut your vegetables into pieces roughly the same size as your pasta so every forkful gets a perfect balance of pasta and produce