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Creamy Ranch Pasta Salad Recipe

4.9 from 134 reviews

This Creamy Ranch Pasta Salad is a delicious and refreshing dish combining tender rotini pasta, crisp romaine lettuce, juicy grape tomatoes, and crispy bacon, all tossed in a smooth homemade buttermilk ranch dressing. Perfect as a side or a light main course, this salad is easy to prepare and makes for a crowd-pleasing meal or picnic addition.

Ingredients

Scale

Salad

  • 1 pound rotini pasta
  • 1 heart of romaine lettuce, chopped (about 34 cups)
  • 1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
  • 8 pieces of bacon, cooked to crispy and crumbled

Buttermilk Ranch Dressing

  • 3/4 cup buttermilk (divided)
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 teaspoons lemon juice
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried dill
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh chives

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta: Follow the package instructions to cook the rotini pasta until al dente. Once cooked, rinse with cool water to stop the cooking process and let it drain well.
  2. Prepare the ranch dressing: While the pasta cooks, whisk together 1/2 cup buttermilk, sour cream, mayonnaise, lemon juice, minced garlic, dried dill, salt, pepper, and fresh chives in a bowl. Gradually drizzle in the remaining 1/4 cup of buttermilk while whisking until the dressing becomes smooth and pourable. Chill the dressing until ready to use. It can be made up to three days in advance.
  3. Combine the salad components: In a large bowl, mix the drained pasta, chopped romaine lettuce, and halved grape tomatoes.
  4. Toss with dressing and bacon: Pour the chilled ranch dressing over the salad mixture and toss thoroughly to coat all ingredients evenly. Finally, stir in the crispy crumbled bacon.
  5. Serve: Enjoy the pasta salad immediately as a side dish or a light main course.

Notes

  • The ranch dressing can be prepared up to three days ahead and stored in the refrigerator.
  • For a vegetarian option, omit the bacon or substitute with crispy smoked tempeh or mushrooms.
  • Make sure to rinse the pasta under cool water to prevent it from sticking and to cool it for the salad.
  • Feel free to swap rotini for other pasta shapes like penne or bowties.
  • This salad tastes great when served chilled but can also be served at room temperature.

Keywords: Creamy Ranch Pasta Salad, rotini pasta salad, buttermilk ranch dressing, bacon pasta salad, summer salad, picnic salad