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Creamy Pasta Salad with Ranch

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A quick and easy creamy pasta salad with homemade ranch dressing, fresh veggies, and shredded cheddar cheese, perfect for summer cookouts, potlucks, or light lunches.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces rotini or your favorite short pasta
  • 1 cup mayonnaise (full-fat recommended)
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk (or milk + lemon juice as substitute)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh chopped chives
  • 1 tablespoon dried parsley
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried dill (optional)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cup cucumber, diced
  • 1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced
  • 1/2 cup shredded carrots
  • 1/3 cup red onion, finely diced (optional)
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 ounces of rotini pasta and cook according to package instructions (8-10 minutes) until al dente. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
  2. Drain the pasta in a colander and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down. Set aside to drain completely.
  3. In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 cup mayonnaise, 1 cup sour cream, and 1/2 cup buttermilk until smooth.
  4. Add 2 tablespoons fresh chives, 1 tablespoon dried parsley, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon dried dill, and salt & pepper to taste. Stir until evenly distributed. Add more buttermilk if dressing is too thick.
  5. While pasta cooks, halve 1 cup cherry tomatoes, dice 1 cup cucumber, 1/2 cup red bell pepper, 1/2 cup shredded carrots, and finely chop 1/3 cup red onion.
  6. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, chopped veggies, and 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese.
  7. Pour the ranch dressing over the salad and gently fold everything together using a silicone spatula or large spoon until well coated.
  8. Taste and adjust seasoning with extra salt or pepper if needed.
  9. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.
  10. Just before serving, sprinkle 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley on top.

Notes

Rinse pasta under cold water after cooking to prevent sogginess. Adjust dressing thickness with buttermilk. Chill salad for at least 1 hour for best flavor. Stir gently before serving to maintain texture. Can substitute mayo with Greek yogurt or vegan alternatives. Add protein or seasonal veggies to customize.

Nutrition

Keywords: creamy pasta salad, ranch dressing, summer salad, potluck recipe, easy pasta salad, fresh veggies, picnic food

Find it online: https://tastypierecipes.com/creamy-pasta-salad-with-ranch-recipe-easy-fresh-summer-meal-ideas/