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ranch pasta salad

(3 ratings)
dawn01 avatar
Blue Ribbon Recipe by
Dawn Whitted
@dawn01
Spearfish, SD

This is one of my most requested pasta salads at my house. There are few ingredients and kids always like it. If you don't like the tomato, replace it with another veggie such as red bell pepper, green onion, radish, or zucchini. Or leave it out! It's still really good and really simple.

Blue Ribbon Recipe

If you love the flavor of creamy ranch dressing, then this pasta salad recipe is for you. It has the perfect ratio of pasta and dressing. Cucumber and tomato lighten up the salad and add some crunch. Ham and cheese not only provide flavor but make the pasta salad heartier. You can almost eat this as a meal. It will be perfect for your summer bbq's, potluck parties and picnics. This was delicious right after we combined ingredients... but it was really delicious after it chilled for a while. We definitely recommend making this a few hours ahead of time.

— The Test Kitchen @kitchencrew
(3 ratings)
yield 8 serving(s)
prep time 30 Min
cook time 10 Min
method Stove Top

Ingredients For ranch pasta salad

  • 3 c
    pasta, large shells or spiral work well
  • 1 pkg
    Hidden Valley Ranch Buttermilk Ranch dressing mix (envelope)
  • 1 1/2 c
    Colby jack cheese, diced (or any block cheese)
  • 1 lg
    cucumber, peeled
  • 1 c
    grape tomatoes, halved
  • 1 c
    ham, diced (optional)
  • 1 c
    mayonnaise
  • 1 c
    buttermilk

How To Make ranch pasta salad

  • Pasta noodles cooking in a pot of boiling water.
    1
    Prepare pasta noodles al dente according to package directions.
  • Draining pasta in a colander.
    2
    Strain and cool.
  • Adding powdered ranch packet to buttermilk and mayonnaise.
    3
    In a separate bowl, mix the ranch dressing envelope according to the package directions adding mayo & buttermilk.
  • Whisking the dressing ingredients together in a bowl.
    4
    I thin it out with a couple additional tablespoons of buttermilk or milk if needed.
  • Cubed ham, cheese, cucumbers, and tomatoes added to a bowl with the pasta.
    5
    Add cubed cheese, cucumber, tomato halves, and optional ham to the pasta.
  • Pouring the dressing over pasta salad ingredients.
    6
    Add dressing.
  • Mixing the salad ingredients together.
    7
    Combine well.
  • A small bowl of ranch pasta salad.
    8
    Refrigerate for an hour or more. If the noodles soak up most of the dressing, you may add a bit of milk to loosen it up or just a squirt or two of bottled dressing.
  • https://youtu.be/sPzfEQ9cj70
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