Ranch Picnic Pasta Salad
Perfect for barbecues, picnics, and potlucks, this Ranch Picnic Pasta Salad is the ultimate creamy, flavor-packed side dish that your guests will adore. Made with al dente rotini pasta and tossed with crisp cucumber, juicy cherry tomatoes, sharp cheddar cheese, and smoky crumbled bacon, every bite is a burst of texture and taste. The homemade ranch dressing, blended with mayonnaise, sour cream, and a zesty seasoning mix, ties it all together with a tangy, herbaceous kick. Quick to prepare and easy to chill ahead of time, this crowd-pleasing pasta salad is ideal for sharing and pairs beautifully with grilled meats or sandwiches. Perfectly refreshing and satisfying, it's a must-have for your next warm-weather gathering!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 oz rotini pasta
- 1.5 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 8 slices cooked bacon, crumbled
- 0.5 cup green onions, sliced
- 0.75 cup mayonnaise
- 0.5 cup sour cream
- 3 tbsp milk
- 1 oz ranch seasoning mix
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 0.5 tsp salt
- 0.25 tsp black pepper
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the rotini pasta according to package instructions, until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside to cool completely.
In a large bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, milk, ranch seasoning mix, chopped parsley, salt, and black pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
In a separate large serving bowl, combine the cooked pasta, halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, shredded cheddar cheese, crumbled bacon, and sliced green onions.
Pour the prepared ranch dressing over the pasta and vegetable mixture. Toss everything gently to coat evenly.
Refrigerate the salad for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld together. Mix again before serving.
Serve as a side dish at your next picnic, barbecue, or family gathering. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
3848 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 226.0 g | 290% | |
| Saturated Fat | 60.7 g | 304% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 431 mg | 144% | |
| Sodium | 5102 mg | 222% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 345.2 g | 126% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 18.5 g | 66% | |
| Total Sugars | 36.9 g | ||
| Protein | 108.1 g | 216% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.5 mcg | 2% | |
| Calcium | 1282 mg | 99% | |
| Iron | 15.7 mg | 87% | |
| Potassium | 2400 mg | 51% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
