This Ranch Pasta Salad is one you will make over and over again. It is super versatile and a wonderful favorite year round. The homemade dressing is a game changer!
If you love pasta salads you will want to try this Bow Tie Pasta Salad! It’s loaded in vegetables and perfect for any gathering.
❤️WHY WE LOVE THIS RECIPE
We love the homemade Ranch on this salad, it just gives it a great flavor and really blends the vegetables. You could always add pepperoni, rotisserie chicken, chopped ham to this salad to make it more of a meal. Super versatile and always a hit!
🍴KEY INGREDIENTS
Rotini pasta (could use any kind of pasta you like)
Ripe olives, weight 6 ounces, drained, chopped (optional)
Real bacon bits
Sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
Green onion, chopped (or about 3 onions)
Cherry tomatoes, cut in half (could use more or 1 large tomato, chopped and drained)
Cucumber, coarsely chopped
Dressing Ingredients:
Mayonnaise or salad dressing (your preference)
Buttermilk
Sour cream
Dried parsley flakes
Garlic powder
Black pepper
Salt
Dillweed
SWAPS
You can add any vegetables you like to this and remove any you don’t. It’s a salad that will work with just about anything, and it’s always a hit!
🍽️HOW TO MAKE
This salad is super easy, the longest part is taking the time to chop up all the delicious vegetables!
Step 1Prepare pasta according to package directions for salad pasta draining and running under cold water. Let pasta cool while you prepare other ingredients.
Step 2Mix all together in a large salad bowl and add homemade ranch dressing made with recipe below.
Step 3Let cool in the refrigerator for several hours before serving or overnight.
⭐TIP
This salad will keep for a few days in the refrigerator, if it becomes dry just add some mayo. Also this dressing is one of our favorites, you an double it and put it in a mason jar and enjoy it on other salads, dip veggies in it, etc.
OTHER RANCH SALADS
STORING & SERVING SIZE
We store this in an air tight container in the refrigerator and it makes about 10-12 servings.
Ranch Pasta Salad
Anne Walkup
This ranch pasta salad is so refreshing on a summer day. Make this to enjoy with family and friends for any gathering. The ranch dressing is delicious too!
Prep Time 20 minutes minslet chill overnight or a few hours 4 hours hrsTotal Time 4 hours hrs 20 minutes mins
Course SaladCuisine American, southern
8 ounces salad rotini pasta could use any kind of pasta you like1 can medium pitted ripe olives weight 6 ounces, drained, chopped1/4 cup real bacon bits1 cup sharp cheddar cheese shredded1/2 cup green onion chopped (or about 3 onions)12 cherry tomatoes cut in half (could use more or 1 large tomato, chopped and drained)1 cup cucumber coarsely choppedRanch Dressing Ingredients1/4 cup mayonnaise or salad dressing your preference1/2 cup buttermilk1/2 cup sour cream1/2 teaspoon dried parsley flakes1/4 teaspoon garlic powder1/4 teaspoon black pepper1/4 teaspoon salt1/8 teaspoon dillweed
Prepare pasta according to package directions for salad pasta draining and running under cold water. Let pasta cool while you prepare other ingredients.Mix all together in a large salad bowl and add homemade ranch dressing made with recipe below. Let cool in refrigerator for several hours before serving or overnight. Makes about 10 to 12 servings. Serve over lettuce or as is. (Note: This salad will keep in the refrigerator for several days. If becomes dry after a few days, add more mayo.)
Can easily add cooked chicken, pepperoni, salami, ham, etc.
Keyword ranch pasta salad
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