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Ranch Pasta Salad

Ranch pasta salad with creamy ranch-coated rotini, bacon, and shredded cheddar, plus crunchy broccoli and cherry tomatoes. Cook-and-rinse pasta, toss with ranch dressing and mayo-milk blend, then chill until the flavors meld for a potluck-ready side dish.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
chilling 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 25 minutes
Servings: 10 servings
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 560
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta
  • 1 lb rotini pasta
Ranch dressing base
  • 1 cup ranch dressing
  • 0.5 cup mayonnaise
  • 0.25 cup milk
Cheese & bacon
  • 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 8 bacon, cooked and crumbled
Vegetables
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cup broccoli florets, blanched
  • 0.5 cup red onion, diced
Seasoning
  • 1 salt and pepper to taste

Equipment

  • 1 sheet pan

Method
 

Cook and cool the pasta
  1. Cook rotini pasta according to package directions, then drain and rinse with cold water until cool to the touch.
  2. Add broccoli florets to boiling water and blanch until bright green, then drain and cool under cold water so they stay crisp.
Make the ranch coating
  1. Whisk ranch dressing, mayonnaise, and milk until smooth and pourable with no visible streaks.
Assemble and season
  1. Combine pasta, cheddar cheese, bacon, cherry tomatoes, broccoli florets, and red onion in a large bowl.
  2. Pour the ranch dressing over the salad and toss until every piece is coated and looks creamy.
  3. Season with salt and pepper, tossing again to distribute evenly.
Chill and serve
  1. Refrigerate the ranch pasta salad for at least 2 hours before serving so it thickens and the flavors blend.

Notes

For best texture, rinse pasta thoroughly with cold water so it doesn’t clump, and chill in a covered container to prevent drying out. Refrigerate leftovers for 3–4 days; freezing isn’t recommended because the creamy dressing can break. If you want a lighter option, swap in reduced-fat mayonnaise and reduced-fat ranch dressing without changing the method.