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Ranch Pasta Salad

This creamy ranch pasta salad is a quick, flavorful side dish perfect for potlucks, BBQs, or family dinners. Loaded with fresh vegetables and coated in a tangy homemade ranch dressing, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Serve it chilled for the best flavor!
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time8 minutes
Total Time23 minutes
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: BBQ side dish, cold pasta salad, pasta salad, potluck salad, ranch pasta salad
Servings: 12

Ingredients

For the Salad:

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

For the Ranch Dressing:

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

Instructions

Cook the Pasta:

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the tri-color rotini according to package instructions for al dente.
  • Drain the pasta and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process.

Prepare the Salad:

  • In a large serving bowl, combine the cooked pasta, diced bell pepper, chopped cucumber, and finely diced broccoli florets.

Make the Dressing:

  • In a small bowl, whisk together the sour cream, mayo, and ranch seasoning until smooth.

Assemble the Salad:

  • Pour the creamy ranch dressing over the pasta and vegetables. Stir until everything is evenly coated.
  • Taste and add salt, if needed.

Chill and Serve:

  • Refrigerate the pasta salad for 1-2 hours before serving to allow the flavors to meld together.
  • Serve chilled and enjoy!

Notes

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
If the pasta salad becomes dry after refrigeration, stir in a splash of bottled ranch dressing to refresh the texture before serving.