Ranch Pasta Salad is the ideal pasta salad side dish. Farfalle pasta noodles, cucumber, tomato, veggies, and parmesan cheese with an easy ranch dressing. It's simple to create with only six ingredients and plenty of fresh vegetables!
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RANCH PASTA SALAD
One of the most well-liked dishes on my website is still this ranch pasta salad. We could never grow weary of it, even after I made it for years.
Ranch dressing is one of just six ingredients needed to make this side dish. Make sure to read the piece below as it has some helpful advice and step-by-step instructions. Among them is a simple homemade ranch dressing that complements this salad to perfection.
Try my vegetable ranch dip if you share our passion for all things ranch.
HOW TO MAKE PASTA SALAD RECIPE, STEP-BY-STEP PHOTOS
- Boil the pasta noodles. Cook till al dente or soft, whichever you choose. I prefer softer noodles in pasta salads, therefore I always cook them for the longest period specified on the box.
- While the noodles are cooking, prepare the vegetables. Dice the cucumber, tomatoes, and cauliflower into small, bite-sized pieces. I attempt to make all of them the same size.
- Combine the noodles, veggies, and parmesan in a large mixing bowl. Stir to mix.
- Pour the ranch dressing over the top and mix thoroughly. Serve immediately, or refrigerate for 1-2 hours if you prefer the salad cold.
MY TIPS FOR MAKING THIS RECIPE
Make sure to use your favorite ranch dressing whether you're using bottled or store-bought! The Litehouse brand, which is available in the grocery store's refrigerated section of the produce section, is one that I truly enjoy.
My handmade ranch dressing, which you can try by following the recipe card, goes really well with this salad. Regardless of whether you use store-bought or homemade ranch dressing, make sure it's cold. The salad will taste the same if you add warm, room temperature ranch.
The finest pasta to use for this salad is tricolor rotini. When compared to ordinary rotini noodles, the noodles have a lot more flavor. Make sure to use them because they are readily available in any store.
You can either purchase a bag or container of shredded parmesan cheese or shred your own using a wedge. I do this because it's simple.
This will dry out in the refrigerator for a few hours, just like any other spaghetti salad. You may either serve this salad immediately or chill it for no more than one to two hours before serving. The leftovers are delicious! It's as good as new if you just mix it up and add some ranch dressing.
This salad calls for just one recipe of the homemade ranch dressing. The following day, I simply add some bottled ranch dressing to the leftovers, and it tastes amazing.
If you tried this Ranch Pasta Salad or any other recipe on my website, please feel free to leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes in the 📝 comments below. And remember to tag me on Instagram!
TRY THESE OTHER PASTA RECIPES
- Buffalo Wild Wings CrockPot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Recipe
- The Best Chicken Mozzarella Pasta
- The Best Creamy Mozzarella Shrimp Pasta
- Easy 20 Minute Canned Tuna Pasta
- Quick And Easy Dump And Bake Meatball Casserole
- Easy Homemade Cajun Chicken Alfredo Sauce (Creamy Recipe)
Recipe
Ranch Pasta Salad
INGREDIENTS
- 12 oz farfalle pasta
- 1 cup boiled cauliflower
- 1 cup chopped cucumbers
- ½ cup chopped tomatoes
- ½ cup shredded parmesan cheese
- 1¼ cups ranch dressing more or less to taste
- ½ cup canned tuna optional
INSTRUCTIONS
- Prepare pasta as directed on the package. To give the noodles some taste, don't forget to salt the pasta water. About a teaspoon of salt is what I use. To allow the pasta to cool, drain it and rinse it under cold water.
- The cooled pasta, broccoli, tomatoes, cucumber, and parmesan cheese should all be combined in a mixing bowl. Stir. To coat the noodles and vegetables, add the ranch and toss once more.
- Serve immediately or chill for 1 to 2 hours before serving. Don't keep pasta salad in the refrigerator for too long before serving because it tends to dry out. To moisten it again, mix it thoroughly and add more dressing if necessary.
- ** To give the homemade ranch dressing enough time to chill in the refrigerator, I would advise preparing it before assembling the salad. In a small bowl, combine all the ranch dressing ingredients and use a wire whisk to blend. Just enough to make the salad. I simply re-moisten leftovers with store-bought ranch dressing.
NOTES
- Make sure to use your favorite ranch dressing! Every time, I prepare my own ranch dressing. For this salad, the recipe yields precisely the right amount.
- At the grocery shop, I locate the shredded parmesan cheese next to the other packaged shredded cheeses. I've discovered that the pre-shredded wedge tastes fantastic, but you could also acquire your own and shred it. Depending on personal choice, use more or less. Typically, I use roughly ¾ cups.
- You might need to add a tablespoon or two more of ranch dressing to moisten everything if you plan to store it in the refrigerator or consume leftovers the following day.
Hope Foster says
'Ranch Pasta Salad'—what's not to love? I appreciate how you included tips for both store-bought and homemade dressings. It gives me the flexibility to work with what I have on hand!
Hailey Peterson says
Ranch Pasta Salad is such a classic! 💖 I love how colorful and vibrant it looks. Perfect for adding some flair to any meal!
Lisa Evans says
Wow, this looks so refreshing! 🌈 I can already imagine how great it would taste on a hot day. Thanks for sharing the tips for perfecting it too!
Matilda Hayes says
I can already picture serving this at my next picnic! It’s colorful and packed with flavors. The tip about using tricolor rotini is genius; it adds such a fun twist!
Mariah Hughes says
'Easy' and 'delicious' are two of my favorite words when it comes to cooking! This salad seems like the perfect companion for any meal. I'm excited to try adding some tuna for that extra flavor kick.
Jocelyn Coleman says
Oh my goodness, this sounds delicious! 😍 The combination of veggies with ranch is a total win. I can't wait to whip this up for our next picnic!
Marilyn Edwards says
! Absolutely loving the simplicity of this recipe! 🥳 Easy prep means more time to enjoy with friends and family. Can't wait to dig in!
Kendall Brooks says
:heart_eyes: This Ranch Pasta Salad seems like the perfect side dish. I love that you can customize it with different veggies too—so fun!
Linda Rose says
I’m definitely trying this recipe out! 🍅🥒 It’s great to see a pasta salad that’s not just tasty but also super healthy with all those fresh veggies!
Destiny Black says
This recipe is right up my alley—simple yet delicious! I'm especially excited about the homemade ranch dressing idea. I’ve never thought of making my own before!
Mariah Hughes says
"Salad that tastes like comfort food? Yes, please!" I love how colorful this dish is; it's almost too pretty to eat. Can't wait to impress my friends with this one!
Bianca Howard says
'Easy' is my favorite word when it comes to cooking! This Ranch Pasta Salad seems super versatile—perfect for any occasion. I might even add some grilled chicken!
Kendall Brooks says
Oh wow, ranch pasta salad is like a party in a bowl! Love how versatile it is too; I might even toss in some grilled chicken for extra protein. Can't wait to try it out!
Jenna Taylor says
"Simple ingredients but packed with flavor—count me in!" This recipe is exactly what I need for busy weeknights. Thank you for sharing such a great dish!
Margaret Peterson says
I’m all about quick and easy meals! This pasta salad is calling my name, especially with all those fresh veggies. Love the idea of adding tuna too!
Genesis Flores says
I absolutely love how simple and fresh this Ranch Pasta Salad looks! 🌿 It’s the perfect side dish for summer BBQs, and I can totally see myself making this on repeat!
Lauren Bennett says
Yum, this looks like the ideal side dish for any occasion! I adore pasta salads that are both tasty and quick to prepare. Plus, who doesn’t love ranch dressing? Count me in!
Jessica Perry says
This looks like the perfect side dish! I appreciate how you included tips for making the dressing—definitely going to try that homemade version!
Colette Ray says
'Ranch dressing' always makes everything better, doesn't it? This pasta salad seems super refreshing and perfect for warm days. Definitely saving this recipe!
Molly Carter says
I adore pasta salads! The mix of farfalle and fresh veggies sounds delightful. Plus, who can resist ranch dressing? I'm excited to whip this up soon!
Kathleen Taylor says
This Ranch Pasta Salad sounds absolutely delightful! I love how simple it is with just six ingredients, perfect for a casual summer get-together. Can't wait to give this a whirl at my next BBQ!
Natalie Hayes says
! This sounds like the ultimate comfort food for summer days! ☀️ Can’t wait to make it and bring it to my next gathering!
Maya Morgan says
This Ranch Pasta Salad looks so refreshing! I love how simple the ingredients are, and it sounds perfect for summer barbecues. Can't wait to give it a try!
Kate Wilson says
"Ranch dressing on everything" could be my motto! This pasta salad looks so easy and delicious. I'm definitely trying your tips for the best flavor.
Molly Carter says
This salad is calling my name! 🥗 With just six ingredients, it’s so easy to prepare. Plus, who doesn’t love a good ranch dressing? Yum!
Annie Hughes says
Yum, ranch dressing is my guilty pleasure! I love that you can make it in just a few minutes. This will definitely be on my picnic menu this week!
Sara Ross says
I’m all about easy recipes and this one ticks all the boxes! Fresh veggies and creamy ranch dressing? Yes, please! Definitely going to whip this up for lunch this week.
Genesis Flores says
I love pasta salad! This recipe looks so easy and delicious!
Heidi Taylor says
Yum! I can't wait to try this ranch pasta salad for my next picnic!
Hunter Ford says
This sounds super tasty! I like that it's so simple to make!
Leila Howard says
Great recipe! I love all the fresh veggies in this salad.
Bianca Howard says
Ranch dressing is my favorite! This salad looks perfect for summer!
Adeline Fisher says
I’m excited to make this for my family. They will love it!
Christina Jenkins says
Wow, only six ingredients? This is definitely a winner!
Sabrina James says
! I appreciate the step-by-step guide, makes it so easy!
Ariel Campbell says
I can't wait to try making my own ranch dressing for this. So excited!