Best 5 Jens Ranch Pasta Salad Recipes

facebook share image   twitter share image   pinterest share image   E-Mail share image

Indulge in a classic culinary delight with our tantalizing Ranch Pasta Salad, a symphony of flavors and textures that will elevate any gathering. This refreshing and versatile dish is perfect for potlucks, picnics, or casual family meals. With a creamy ranch dressing blanketing succulent pasta, crisp vegetables, and savory bacon, this salad is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

Discover variations of this beloved recipe that cater to different dietary preferences and culinary inclinations. From a tangy Lemon Ranch Pasta Salad to a hearty Italian Ranch Pasta Salad bursting with sun-dried tomatoes, Kalamata olives, and artichoke hearts, there's a Ranch Pasta Salad to suit every palate. Vegetarian and vegan adaptations offer equally satisfying alternatives, ensuring everyone can relish this flavorful creation.

Here are our top 5 tried and tested recipes!

CREAMY RANCH PASTA SALAD



Creamy Ranch Pasta Salad image

Maybe you bought some celery for snacking, or maybe you're cooking with it. Either way, don't toss those tender celery leaves. Instead, reserve them and make this creamy pasta salad. Ranch dressing, carrots and celery are natural dance partners-and that's why we combined them in a singularly tasty salad. It starts with a simple homemade dressing, which beats store-bought every day.

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories     side-dish

Time 35m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
16 ounces fusilli pasta
3/4 cup finely chopped carrot (from about 1 large carrot)
1 cup mayonnaise
1 cup sour cream
3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh chives, plus more for serving
3 tablespoons finely chopped celery leaves
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
4 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 clove garlic, grated
1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan (about 1 ounce)

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Drain the pasta, then rinse it under cold water to cool completely; drain it well again.
  • Meanwhile, reserve 2 tablespoons of the carrot for garnish. Put the remaining carrot in a large bowl and whisk in the mayonnaise, sour cream, chives, celery leaves, lemon juice, Worcestershire, onion powder, garlic, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper until combined. The dressing can be refrigerated, covered, up to 1 day.
  • Add the pasta to the bowl with the dressing and toss to combine. To serve, top it with the Parmesan, reserved carrots and additional chives and season with pepper.

RANCH PASTA SALAD



Ranch Pasta Salad image

I've made this salad for years-it's a recipe from a high school friend's mom. Any time I serve a sandwich meal like hamburgers, hot dogs or sloppy joes, I have this flavorful salad alongside.-Mrs. Krista E Collins, Concord, North Carolina

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 25m

Yield 8 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 6

3 cups uncooked tricolor spiral pasta
1 cup chopped fresh broccoli florets
3/4 cup chopped seeded peeled cucumber
1/2 cup seeded chopped tomato
1 bottle (8 ounces) ranch salad dressing
1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • Cook pasta according to package directions; drain and rinse in cold water. In a large bowl, combine the pasta, broccoli, cucumber and tomato. Drizzle with salad dressing; toss to coat. Sprinkle with cheese.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 285 calories, Fat 17g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 8mg cholesterol, Sodium 317mg sodium, Carbohydrate 27g carbohydrate (2g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 6g protein.

RANCH PASTA SALAD



Ranch Pasta Salad image

This is a Summer Staple around our house. It goes great with anything grilled or with sandwiches. It's also great with cooked meat added and served as a cold meal. Prep. time does not include refrigeration.

Provided by Greffete

Categories     Summer

Time 30m

Yield 8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 lb tri-color spiral pasta (or your favorite - cooked and drained according to package directions.)
1 medium onion, diced
1 medium green bell pepper, diced
2 -3 medium roma tomatoes, seeded and chopped
1 (2 1/4 ounce) can ripe black olives, drained
4 ounces cheddar cheese, grated or diced
1 tablespoon Bacos bacon bits
1 cup of your favorite bottled ranch dressing (I use Kraft Free Ranch)
1 tablespoon water, add to dressing if it very thick (optional)
fresh black pepper

Steps:

  • In a large container gently combine all ingredients mixing well.
  • Cover and refrigerate at least 30 minutes, the longer it mingles the better it tastes!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 434.3, Fat 21.9, SaturatedFat 5.7, Cholesterol 24.8, Sodium 480.2, Carbohydrate 47.8, Fiber 3, Sugar 3.7, Protein 11.8

BACON RANCH PASTA SALAD



Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad image

This is a very flavorful pasta salad. The crisp cooked bacon really adds a nice flavor. I get requests for this pasta salad for every get together and cook out.

Provided by Wilemon

Categories     Salad     100+ Pasta Salad Recipes     Rotini Pasta Salad Recipes

Time 1h25m

Yield 10

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 (12 ounce) package uncooked tri-color rotini pasta
10 slices bacon
1 cup mayonnaise
3 tablespoons dry ranch salad dressing mix
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon garlic pepper
½ cup milk, or as needed
1 large tomato, chopped
1 (4.25 ounce) can sliced black olives
1 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil; cook rotini at a boil until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes; drain.
  • Place bacon in a skillet over medium-high heat and cook until evenly brown. Drain and chop.
  • In a large bowl, mix mayonnaise, ranch dressing mix, garlic powder, and garlic pepper. Stir in milk until smooth. Place rotini, bacon, tomato, black olives and cheese in bowl and toss to coat with dressing. Cover and chill at least 1 hour in the refrigerator. Toss with additional milk if the salad seems a little dry.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 335.7 calories, Carbohydrate 14.9 g, Cholesterol 31.3 mg, Fat 26.8 g, Fiber 1.1 g, Protein 9.3 g, SaturatedFat 6.7 g, Sodium 691.1 mg, Sugar 1.6 g

JEN'S RANCH PASTA SALAD



Jen's Ranch Pasta Salad image

You can doctor up this salad any way you like, using different cold veggies & variations on ranch dressing. It's great & a wonderful summer potluck pleaser!

Provided by Jennifer Vargovich

Categories     Pasta Salads

Time 1h

Number Of Ingredients 3

1 box rotini pasta
1 bottle ranch dressing
1 pkg colby jack cheese

Steps:

  • 1. Ingredients: ~1 box rotini pasta (any kind, I prefer the tri-color or vegetable rotini) ~1 16 oz bottle ranch dressing (any kind, 3 cheese or with bacon works best) ~8 oz shredded cheese (I use colby jack, casserole blend, or cheddar) ~small package real bacon bits (if not using ranch w/bacon dressing) ~any vegetables you like (carrots, tomatoes, snow peas, etc), cut small ~grated Parmesan cheese, to taste Directions: ~Cook pasta according to package directions until soft. ~Drain, rinse with cold water until cool. ~Put pasta in a large serving dish. Add ranch dressing (full bottle) and stir until all pasta is coated.. ~Add cheese, veggies & bacon bits, stir together until well-mixed. ~Chill in fridge for a couple hours, top with Parmesan cheese before serving.

Tips:

  • Use fresh, high-quality ingredients for the best flavor.
  • Cook the pasta al dente according to the package instructions.
  • Rinse the pasta with cold water to stop the cooking process and prevent it from sticking together.
  • For a creamy dressing, use a mayonnaise-based dressing or a combination of mayonnaise and sour cream.
  • For a tangy dressing, use a vinegar-based dressing or a combination of vinegar and olive oil.
  • Add your favorite vegetables, protein, and cheese to the pasta salad for a complete meal.
  • Chill the pasta salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld.

Conclusion:

Jen's Ranch Pasta Salad is a versatile and delicious dish that can be enjoyed as a main course or a side dish. It's perfect for potlucks, picnics, and summer gatherings. With its creamy dressing, tender pasta, and variety of mix-ins, this pasta salad is sure to be a hit with everyone who tries it. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy recipe that's packed with flavor, give Jen's Ranch Pasta Salad a try.

Related Topics