Easy Ranch Pasta Salad Recipe 5-Ingredient Perfect Summer Side Dish
A quick and easy ranch pasta salad that combines creamy ranch dressing with crunchy celery, red bell pepper, and green onions for a refreshing summer side dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces (225 grams) rotini pasta
- ½ cup (120 ml) ranch dressing
- 1 cup diced celery
- 1 cup diced red bell pepper
- 3 stalks green onions, sliced
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces (225 grams) of rotini pasta and cook according to package instructions, usually about 8-10 minutes, until al dente.
- Drain the pasta in a colander and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool it quickly.
- Dice 1 cup of celery and 1 cup of red bell pepper into bite-sized pieces. Slice 3 green onions thinly, including the green tops.
- In a large mixing bowl, add the cooled pasta, celery, red bell pepper, and green onions. Pour in ½ cup (120 ml) of ranch dressing.
- Gently toss everything together until the pasta is evenly coated and the veggies are well distributed.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors meld.
- Before serving, give the salad a quick stir and adjust seasoning with salt or pepper if needed.
Notes
Rinse pasta after boiling to prevent sticking and maintain a crisp texture. Toss salad gently to keep veggies crunchy. Chilling for at least 30 minutes improves flavor. For a lighter dressing, mix ranch with Greek yogurt. Variations include adding grilled chicken, bacon, or chickpeas for protein, or swapping veggies seasonally.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1 cup per serv
- Calories: 275
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 12
- Saturated Fat: 2
- Carbohydrates: 32
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 6
Keywords: ranch pasta salad, easy pasta salad, summer side dish, 5-ingredient salad, quick pasta salad, picnic salad, barbecue side dish