Mom’s Ranch Pasta Salad
My mom’s ranch pasta salad has been sitting on picnic tables, next to burgers at backyard BBQs, and on holiday buffet tables for as long as I can remember.
It’s not fancy or trendy, but everyone asks for it.
Maybe it’s the creamy ranch dressing. Maybe it’s the salty olives and parmesan cheese. Maybe it’s because it tastes even better cold after sitting in the fridge for a while.
This is a great recipe to throw together for a last minute side dish for summer.
Why You’ll Love This Ranch Pasta Salad
It’s the kind of side dish everyone scoops “just a little” of…
and then comes back for more.
Mom’s Ranch Pasta Salad Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 16 ounces pasta rotini, bowtie, or shells work best
- 1 6 ounce can black olives, drained and chopped
- 1 16 ounce bottle ranch-style salad dressing
- 2 green peppers diced
- 2 tomatoes diced
- 1 cup shredded parmesan cheese
- optional: 1/4 cup bacon bits
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil.
- Add pasta and cook for 8–10 minutes or until al dente.
- Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking and cool it down.
- In a large bowl combine: cooked pasta, chopped black olives, diced green peppers, diced tomatoes, and ranch dressing.
- Mix well until everything is coated.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.
- This helps all the flavors come together.
- Right before serving, top with shredded parmesan cheese.
- And maybe extra bacon bits if you want!
Nutrition
Tips & Tricks
Use pasta with texture
Rotini or bowties hold onto dressing better.
Rinse the pasta
This cools it down and helps prevent sticking.
Make it ahead
This is one of those recipes that tastes even better after a few hours.
Add more dressing if needed
The pasta can soak it up in the fridge.
A little extra ranch before serving freshens it up.
My Kitchen Essentials:
Easy Add-Ins
If you want to switch it up:
It’s really forgiving.
What to Serve with Ranch Pasta Salad
This goes so well with:
see how i served it at this cute clementine party!
FAQ
I love recipes like this.
The ones that don’t need a long story or complicated ingredients.
They’re simple and they just work.
This ranch pasta salad is simple and one of those side dishes that make every BBQ or picnic table feel complete.
If you make this, let me know! I always love hearing from you.
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