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Ranch Pasta Salad

This ranch pasta salad is the best easy side dish for any occasion! Made with tri color rotini, red bell pepper, broccoli, cucumber, and a homemade creamy ranch pasta salad dressing.

ranch pasta salad in a wooden serving bowl

Why you’ll love this pasta salad with ranch dressing

  • flavorful: This ranch pasta salad recipe is creamy, crunchy, and so yummy.
  • easy to make: with just a handful of ingredients and a simple homemade ranch dressing, this easy pasta salad comes together in minutes
  • great for any occasion: the best side dish for holidays, cook outs, potlucks, birthday parties, and more.

We love ranch salad dressing in our family, so this recipe is one that we could eat again and again!

It’s super simple to make, just like my other pasta salad recipes: tortellini pasta salad, chickpea pasta salad, and southwest pasta salad. All you need is just 7 basic ingredients.

wooden spoon taking a scoop of pasta salad from the bowl

Ingredients to make ranch pasta salad

  • tri color rotini pasta
  • diced red bell pepper
  • diced cucumber
  • fresh broccoli, cut into small florets
  • sour cream
  • mayo
  • ranch dressing seasoning packet
ingredients needed to make ranch pasta salad

How to make ranch pasta salad

Step 1: Cook the tri color rotini pasta noodles to al dente. Add a few shakes of salt to the pasta water while it cooks.

Step 2: While the pasta is cooking, you can get started on chopping up the fresh vegetables. Dice up the bell pepper and cucumber, and cut the broccoli into very small florets.

Step 3: When the rotini is done cooking, drain it and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process. Let it drain while you work on the remaining pasta salad ingredients.

Step 4: In a small bowl, add the mayo, sour cream, and ranch seasoning until combined to make the creamy ranch dressing.

Step 5: Add the drained and cooled pasta to a large serving bowl. Add the cut up broccoli, bell pepper, and cucumber.

broccoli, bell pepper, and cucumber on top of the rotini

Step 6: Stir the ranch dressing into the pasta and veggies until well combined. Salt the pasta salad to taste if necessary.

Ranch Pasta Salad Tips

  • prep your veggies ahead of time: save time and cut up your veggies ahead of time and place them in individual ziploc bags in the refrigerator to make assembling this pasta salad a breeze.
  • add the dressing 1-2 hours before serving: pasta salad dries out in the refrigerator, but tastes best when chilled. The best way to serve ranch pasta salad is after it has been in the refrigerator for no more than 1-2 hours.
  • add more dressing to leftover pasta salad: pasta salad can dry out in the refrigerator. Try stirring in more ranch dressing when you serve this the next day.
ranch pasta salad in a wooden serving bowl

Storing and Serving

  • at room temperature: pasta salad is best served chilled, and should sit out no longer than two hours at room temperature
  • how to store: ranch pasta salad can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

This recipe is best served right away for the best creaminess. Like most pasta salad recipes, it will dry out some in the fridge.

The easy fix for this is simply stir in a little more ranch dressing if you plan to eat leftovers the next day! Just use some bottled ranch dressing if you find it needs a little extra dressing.

Are you making this recipe? I want to see! Don’t forget to tag me on instagram @buildyourbite and hashtag #buildyourbite with your recipe creations!

ranch pasta salad in serving bowls

This ranch pasta salad is so delicious and you will definitely be back for seconds!

Be sure to pin this recipe for later and follow Build Your Bite on Pinterest for all the latest delicious recipes!

ranch pasta salad in a wooden serving bowl

I could eat this ranch pasta salad any time of year!

Pasta Salad FAQs

How long is ranch pasta salad good for in the fridge?

Ranch pasta salad will be good in the fridge for 3-4 days.

Do I have to use homemade ranch?

Making your own ranch is optional. You can also substitute 1 ½-2 cups of your favorite ranch dressing.

Did you make this recipe? Be sure to leave a star rating below!

ranch pasta salad

Ranch Pasta Salad

Yield: 12 servings
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 8 minutes
Total Time: 23 minutes

This creamy ranch pasta salad recipe is an easy and delicious side dish that is sure to be a hit!

Ingredients

  • 12 oz tri color rotini pasta
  • 1 red bell pepper, finely diced
  • 1 medium cucumber, chopped
  • 1 ½ cups finely diced broccoli florets

For the ranch salad dressing

  • 8 oz sour cream
  • ½ cup mayo
  • 1 oz packet ranch seasoning

Instructions

  1. Salt the pasta water and cook the tri color rotini according to the package instructions for al dente. Once it is done, drain immediately and rinse with cold water.
  2. Add the bell pepper, cucumber, broccoli, and rotini to a large serving bowl
  3. In a small bowl, combine the mayo, sour cream, and ranch seasoning to make the creamy ranch dressing
  4. Stir the ranch dressing into the pasta and veggies until combined. Salt to taste, if necessary
  5. Refrigerate for no more than 1-2 hours before serving
  6. Store leftovers covered in the fridge and enjoy within 3-4 days.

Notes

Most pasta salad will dry out some in the fridge, so if this happens I suggest stirring in a little bottled ranch before serving your leftovers

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 12 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 162Total Fat: 11gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 255mgCarbohydrates: 13gFiber: 1gSugar: 2gProtein: 3g

Did you make this recipe?

Be sure to tag me on instagram @buildyourbite and hashtag #buildyourbite with your recipe creations!

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Jillian

Wednesday 12th of October 2022

OMG this is my new favorite Pasta Salad!!! This will definitely be a go to staple recipe for me!

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