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Ranch Pasta Salad taken with iphone 15 pro max --iw 2 --ar 4:5 --v 6.0 --raw

Ranch Pasta Salad

Ranch Pasta Salad is the perfect salad side dish with rotini noodles, fresh veggies, and a creamy ranch dressing that everyone will love.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Total Time 23 minutes
Course Soup
Cuisine Mexican
Servings 12 people
Calories 284 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Large mixing bowl

Ingredients
  

Main ingredients

  • 1 box (12 oz) Tricolor rotini pasta gives you pretty colors and solid texture
  • 1 cup chopped broccoli for a little crunch and green pop that’s healthy
  • 1 cup chopped cucumbers peeled & seeded, cooling, watery bite that cuts richness
  • 1 cup chopped tomatoes juicy and sweet, just right in every spoonful
  • ½ cup shredded parmesan cheese salty hit that ties tastes together
  • 1¼ cups ranch dressing or more to taste, the creamy base that makes it ranchy good
  • ½ cup mayonnaise smooth, thick, and helps with that luscious mouthfeel
  • ½ cup buttermilk for tang and helps loosen dressing so it coats pasta well
  • ¼ cup sour cream rich and creamy to balance all those flavors
  • ½ teaspoon dried parsley to boost the zip
  • ½ teaspoon dried dill weed to boost the zip
  • ½ teaspoon dried chives to boost the zip
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder to boost the zip
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder to boost the zip
  • ½ teaspoon worcestershire sauce to boost the zip
  • ¼ teaspoon salt to boost the zip
  • ⅛ teaspoon pepper to boost the zip

Instructions
 

Instructions

  • Cook that tricolor rotini pasta according to package instructions until al dente. You don’t want it mushy so keep an eye on timing.
  • Drain and rinse pasta with cold water to stop the cooking and cool it fast. This step is key for keeping things from turning into a soggy mess.
  • In a big ol’ bowl, toss the cooled pasta with chopped broccoli, cucumbers, tomatoes, and shredded parmesan cheese. You’re building layers of flavor here so mix gently.
  • Whisk together ranch dressing, mayonnaise, buttermilk, sour cream, and all the dried herbs and spices plus worcestershire sauce in a separate bowl. Make sure it looks smooth and creamy.
  • Pour the dressing mixture over the pasta salad and give it a good toss till every bit is coated. Taste it and add a bit more ranch if you want that extra punch.
  • Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. That chill time is what really lets everything blend into one dang good bite.

Notes

Serve immediately or refrigerate for 1-2 hours before serving for better flavor melding.