Description
Cool pasta nights just got better with this Ranch Pasta Salad loaded with zesty flavors and creamy dressing. Crisp vegetables and perfectly seasoned pasta create a refreshing summer dish you’ll want to share at every gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 12 ounces (340 grams) tri-color rotini pasta
- 1 ½ cups (225 grams) broccoli florets
- 1 red bell pepper
- 1 medium cucumber
Dairy Components:
- 8 ounces (225 grams) sour cream
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) mayonnaise
Seasoning:
- 1 ounce (28 grams) ranch seasoning packet
Instructions
- Fill a large pot with salted water and bring to a rolling boil at high heat.
- Cook tri-color rotini pasta until perfectly tender, following package guidelines for al dente texture.
- Immediately drain pasta in a colander and rinse thoroughly with cold water to halt cooking process and cool down noodles.
- Transfer cooled pasta to a spacious mixing bowl.
- Add vibrant diced bell peppers, crisp cucumber chunks, and finely chopped broccoli florets to the pasta.
- Whisk sour cream, mayonnaise, and ranch seasoning in a separate bowl until mixture becomes smooth and uniform.
- Drizzle creamy ranch dressing over pasta and vegetable mixture.
- Gently fold ingredients together, ensuring every piece is evenly coated with dressing.
- Season with additional salt if needed, tasting to confirm flavor balance.
- Cover bowl and chill in refrigerator for 1-2 hours, allowing flavors to integrate and develop.
- Remove from refrigerator, give a quick stir, and serve cold as a refreshing side dish.
Notes
- Rinse pasta with ice water to prevent overcooking and maintain a perfect al dente texture.
- Chop vegetables uniformly for consistent flavor and texture in every bite.
- Make the ranch dressing ahead of time to intensify the flavor profile and allow ingredients to blend seamlessly.
- Customize the salad by adding protein like grilled chicken, crispy bacon bits, or chickpeas for extra nutrition and variety.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 324
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 280 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 2.5 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg