Creamy Ranch Pasta Salad Recipe
A delicious and creamy ranch pasta salad featuring rotini pasta, fresh romaine lettuce, sweet grape tomatoes, and crispy bacon, all tossed in a homemade buttermilk ranch dressing. Perfect as a refreshing side dish or a light main course, this salad combines crunchy textures with a rich, tangy dressing for a crowd-pleasing recipe.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta Salad
- 1 pound rotini pasta
- 1 heart of romaine, chopped (about 3–4 cups)
- 1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
- 8 pieces of bacon, cooked 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 black pepper
- 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh chives
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Cook the rotini pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Once cooked, rinse it under cool water to stop the cooking process and drain well, allowing it to drip dry.
- Prepare Dressing: While the pasta cooks, whisk together 1/2 cup of the buttermilk with sour cream, mayonnaise, lemon juice, minced garlic, dried dill, salt, pepper, and fresh chives. Gradually drizzle in the remaining 1/4 cup of buttermilk while whisking until the dressing is smooth and pourable. Chill the dressing in the refrigerator until ready to use. This dressing can be made up to three days in advance.
- Combine Salad: In a large bowl, combine the drained pasta, chopped romaine lettuce, and halved grape tomatoes. Pour the creamy ranch dressing over the salad and toss gently until everything is evenly coated.
- Add Bacon: Stir in the crispy crumbled bacon pieces last to maintain their crunchiness and flavor throughout the salad.
- Serve: Serve immediately as a flavorful side dish or a light main course. Enjoy the fresh, creamy, and savory flavors.
Notes
- For best flavor, prepare the ranch dressing a day ahead to allow the flavors to meld.
- Use rotini or any short pasta shape that holds dressing well.
- To make this dish vegetarian, omit the bacon or replace it with a plant-based alternative.
- If you prefer a thinner dressing, add a little more buttermilk.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days; add bacon just before serving to maintain crispness.
Keywords: Creamy Ranch Pasta Salad, Pasta Salad, Buttermilk Ranch Dressing, Bacon Pasta Salad, Rotini Salad
Find it online: https://familyfavplates.com/creamy-ranch-pasta-salad-recipe/
