Description
This Fresh Ranch Pasta Salad is a delightful medley of creamy ranch dressing, al dente pasta, and crisp vegetables. Each bite offers a satisfying crunch from the fresh veggies, balanced by the rich, tangy flavor of the ranch dressing, making it a perfect side dish for any gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
- Pasta: 8 ounces of rotini or penne pasta, cooked al dente and cooled
- Vegetables:
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- 1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 cup red onion, finely chopped
- Ranch Dressing: 1 cup of store-bought or homemade ranch dressing
- Cheese: 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Herbs: 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes.
- Drain the pasta and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside to cool completely.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red bell pepper, and red onion.
- Add the ranch dressing to the bowl and toss gently until all ingredients are well coated.
- Fold in the shredded cheddar cheese and chopped parsley.
- Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Before serving, give the salad a good stir and adjust seasoning if necessary.
Notes
- This salad can be made a day in advance; just keep it covered in the refrigerator.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- For a lighter version, substitute Greek yogurt for half of the ranch dressing.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: salad
- Method: boiling/mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 4 grams
- Sodium: 600 milligrams
- Fat: 18 grams
- Saturated Fat: 8 grams
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 grams
- Trans Fat: 0 grams
- Carbohydrates: 30 grams
- Fiber: 2 grams
- Protein: 8 grams
- Cholesterol: 30 milligrams
Keywords: Fresh Ranch Pasta Salad, pasta salad, ranch dressing, summer salad, easy salad recipe, cold pasta salad, vegetable salad, creamy salad, picnic food, side dish, vegetarian salad, quick salad recipe, potluck salad