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creamy ranch pasta salad - featured image

Creamy Ranch Pasta Salad: Best Party Side

  • Author: SALY
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 12 servings 1x

Description

A crowd-pleasing, creamy ranch pasta salad that travels well and tastes even better the next day. Perfect for summer picnics and barbecues, this dish combines sturdy rotini pasta with a tangy dressing, crunchy veggies, and sweet cranberry raisins.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450g) Rotini or Penne Pasta
  • 1 cup (240g) Mayonnaise (full-fat)
  • 1/2 cup (120g) Sour Cream (full-fat)
  • 1 packet (1 ounce) Ranch Dressing Mix
  • 1/2 cup (120ml) Buttermilk
  • 1 cup (100g) Sharp Cheddar Cheese, shredded
  • 6 stalks Green Onions, sliced
  • 2 stalks Celery, diced
  • 1/2 cup Cranberry Raisins
  • 1 medium Red Bell Pepper, diced
  • 1 teaspoon Dill Weed
  • Salt and Black Pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the rotini pasta according to package directions until al dente.
  2. Drain the pasta in a colander and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking and cool it down completely. Shake off excess water.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, buttermilk, and dry ranch dressing mix until smooth and creamy.
  4. Add the shredded cheddar cheese, sliced green onions, diced celery, diced red bell pepper, and cranberry raisins to the dressing. Toss gently to coat.
  5. Add the cooled pasta to the bowl and gently fold it into the mixture until every noodle is evenly coated.
  6. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least one hour, preferably overnight, to allow flavors to meld.
  7. Before serving, give the salad a good stir. If it appears dry, add a splash of buttermilk or milk to loosen it up. Garnish with extra green onions or paprika if desired.

Notes

Ensure the pasta is completely cool before adding it to the dressing to prevent the mayo from melting. Shred your own cheese for better blending. The salad tastes best after marinating in the fridge for several hours or overnight. Do not freeze, as the dressing may separate and pasta may become mushy.

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Side Dish
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cup
  • Calories: 380
  • Sugar: 8
  • Sodium: 450
  • Fat: 18
  • Saturated Fat: 7
  • Carbohydrates: 42
  • Fiber: 2
  • Protein: 10

Keywords: pasta salad, ranch dressing, summer side dish, picnic food, party recipe, creamy pasta salad, labor day recipe, make ahead salad

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Find it online: https://cookiqa.com/creamy-ranch-pasta-salad-best-party-side/