Pasta salad is the perfect companion to almost any dish and I'm sharing this super easy, delicious creamy ranch pasta salad that's loaded with veggies. I'm showing you how to make it two ways - in a salad bowl for large parties and deconstructed in a mason jar, which is perfect for individual servings for picnics or packed lunches.
I've partnered with Naturally Fresh® Brand Dressings to bring you this pasta salad recipe.
Summer is here and my favorite dish to bring to parties and picnics is my no-fail pasta salad. Since pasta salad goes with pretty much everything and it packs up well, I love to take it along to potlucks. We've got a huge block party planned for 4th of July and I've already signed up to bring a big bowl of this yummy dish. My favorite thing about it, besides the taste, is how easy it is to make. Plus, it's so colorful thanks to all of the veggies included.
In our pasta salad, we like add in red onions, carrots, peas, cherry tomatoes and broccoli, but you can really add in anything that your family likes. I also love the look of bowtie pasta, but you can use virtually any variety. That is what's so great about it. It's so versatile and as long as you've got a great base then you're good to go.
I absolutely love ranch dressing! Although I used to make my own when I was a kid, now that I have two kids of my own there isn't a whole lot of time for that. I'm pretty picky when it comes to using bottled dressings, but the Naturally Fresh® Brand knocks it out of the park. They use only high-quality, home-style ingredients, leaving out artificial colors and preservatives, and you'll definitely taste the difference.
Creamy Ranch Pasta Salad Recipe
Ingredients:
1 (16 oz.) box of bowtie pasta, cooked al dente in salted water
1 package of cherry or grape tomatoes
2 large stalks of broccoli, chopped to florets only
1 cup of peas
3 carrots, peeled and sliced
½ cup of red onion (more or less to taste)
1 cup of Naturally Fresh Brand Classic Ranch Dressing (more or less to taste) - there's also a Lite Ranch available
Instructions to make creamy ranch pasta salad:
1.) Prep your ingredients by washing and chopping all veggies.
2.) Blanch broccoli (bring salted water to boil and submerge broccoli for 1-2 minutes then transfer to ice bath) and then let it drain. This will give it a vibrant green color.
3.) Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. This should yield about 8 servings.
For a fun variation, you can create a mason jar pasta salad by layering all of your ingredients, leaving it "deconstructed." Since you're using fresh, crisp vegetables this holds up really well and makes it perfectly portable. You can even make these ahead of time and use them throughout the week for lunches.
I buy mason jars in bulk because I use them ALL the time. We use them as drinking glasses, for food storage and for creating fun meals like this. I prefer the tried and true Ball brand.
Ball Pint Regular Mouth Jars and Lids BPA Free, 16 oz, Set of 12
Ball Half Pint Regular Mouth Jars and Lids BPA Free, 8 oz, Set of 12Penguin Art Supplies Chalkboard Labels Stickers w/ White Liquid Marker
Start with your Naturally Fresh Brand Classic Ranch (I used about ¼ cup for this larger jar, but you can do this to taste), then add your harder vegetables like broccoli, carrots, tomatoes, and onions, then add the peas and finally your pasta of choice. When you're ready to eat, just pour it into a bowl and mix to coat all the ingredients in the creamy ranch dressing.
You can find Naturally Fresh Brand Dressing products in the refrigerated section of your produce department. Check the store locator to find a retailer near you.
Amber Ludwig says
Mmm this sounds delish!! Super easy!! I am very picky about my ranch too!! I will have to give this brand a try!!
Linda Manns says
This sounds so good. I love all the veggies in this. Ranch dressing is my favorite. Thank you so much for sharing this
Mandy Hammons says
This pasta salad looks delicious and I like how colorful it is
DENISE SMITH says
my daughter loves ranch dressing looks really good
karen cairns says
Oh I made this and my family loved it thanks!
Kimberley Pettyjohn says
Looks delicious
Gloria marquez says
Looks delicious love how you put in jar
Dotty J Boucher says
That salad looks deilicious and love that you added peas with this, Although I have not tried this dressing out yet, I am
sure I will enjoy the taste of this.
Sandra Watts says
I have been looking for that dressing at my local stores and have not been able to find it. 🙁 I had gotten some free coupons I would love to use soon!
Rosie says
This looks delish. This would be great to take on picnics, lunches and just to have at home ready when you want it! So cute and appetizing! Perfect for summer!
Kimberly Flickinger says
This sounds and looks delicious, not to mention easy to make. Thank you for sharing! I have pinned for later.
Rachael Burch says
This looks delicious and perfect for summer
@MomLuvsSPORTZ says
Mason Jars are so versatile....not just for canning! This is a neat idea for salads!
Lisa Coomer Queen says
Yummy! I love this. I will have to give it a try. Thank you for the recipe.
Lori Bagwell says
Ohhhhh Yum. This looks amazing!!!
Marie Lowther says
looks so good, i'll have to try it out
Stephanie F says
Gotta try out this salad that looks so good! Weather is so hot so salad is good... Thanks for sharing!!
Lisa Garland says
This is such a perfect idea. Has beautiful colors and looks great!!
Jerry Marquardt says
Because the Creamy Ranch Pasta Salad recipe looks as delicious as it does, I can't wait to try this special recipe out. I only hope I will be able do as good as you did in the heartwarming photos.
ellen beck says
I really like everything about this salad! Love the vegetables added and love the ease of making it. The mason Jar rocks!
Jo-Ann Brightman says
Making a ranch dressing tastes so much better. I love making a pasta salad with fresh vegetables.
Valerie Lerma says
this looks so delicious ive been searching for this recipe for a while i tried it but didnt knw what it was called till now
Sheila Colbert says
LOVE PASTA SALAD GOT TO TRY THIS
Lisa Weeks says
I love this! Im making these for my hubbys work lunch!
Sara Zielinski says
This sounds like a delicious recipe.
Jeanine Carlson says
I love making pasta salad. Trouble is- no 2 salads are ever alike, lol! I have a question... are you blanching your peas?
Hannah C says
This looks like very delicious pasta salad!
Linda C says
Yum! Perfect for a picnic or to take to work.
Christina Gould says
That is such an attractive presentation. Thanks for posting!
Terri Beavers says
I'm big on pasta salads and I'm always looking for new recipes to try. I bet this would be great with a pizza picnic we're going on tomorrow. I hope I have time to go shopping before that but not sure. There's never enough time in a day. I will make it soon though. Very soon.
Deborah D says
This looks and sounds like it would be wonderful. I can't wait to try it.
Lauryn R says
Yummy! I am huge fan of all types of pasta and pasta salad, and this one sound amazing! I love the mason jar idea too, how perfect for work or picnics! 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Amy D says
Mason jars are just wonderful for portion control. I love this recipe and will be making it soon. So easy and full of great veggies.
Jeffrey says
My Mother loves ranch dressing so this is a recipe that I would cook for her.