Ranch Pasta Salad is the ideal pasta salad side dish. Farfalle pasta noodles, cucumber, tomato, veggies, and parmesan cheese with an easy ranch dressing. It's simple to create with only six ingredients and plenty of fresh vegetables!
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RANCH PASTA SALAD
With the love for simple, hearty foods that brings people together, this Ranch Pasta Salad recipe came to life. With fresh, vibrant ingredients and the creamy goodness of ranch dressing, it is inspired by classic picnic sides, providing a satisfying bite on every forkful.
Over the years it has become a staple for family get-togethers, backyard barbecues and potlucks, loved even by the pickiest of eaters. It’s a blank canvas for endless variation, and you can easily riff on it by adding your favorite veggies, proteins and other seasonings.
Try my vegetable ranch dip if you share our passion for all things ranch.
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta & Cauliflower: Boil dried farfalle pasta according to package instructions; add cauliflower florets during last 3 minutes of cooking. Drain and rinse with cold water to cool.
- Prepare the Ingredients: Dice the cucumber and tomatoes and drain the canned tuna. In a big bowl, toss the cooled pasta, cauliflower, tuna and chopped veggies together.
- Dressing & cheese: Add ranch dressing, then mix well to combine. Spoon grated cheese over top and fold gently to combine.
- Chill & Serve: Cover and place in the refrigerator for a minimum of 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Serve cold and enjoy your creamy, refreshing pasta salad!
Pro Tips
What really matters most is the structure of the dish — and to that end, you want to cook your pasta just shy of al dente, because it will soak up dressing as it cools. Rinsing it with cold water right after cooking halts the cooking process, preventing mushy results.
For more flavor, allow the salad to chill for at least 30 minutes before serving so the ranch dressing coats and can seep into the ingredients. A pinch of black pepper, garlic powder or fresh herbs, such as parsley, will also add depth.
If you want to skim it, go for a Greek yogurt-based ranch dressing or a 50-50 ranch-plain yogurt combo. We also recommend using whole wheat pasta or when consumed with lots of vegetables like bell peppers, becomes a healthy meal!
If you tried this Ranch Pasta Salad or any other recipe on my website, please feel free to leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes in the 📝 comments below. And remember to tag me on Instagram!
TRY THESE OTHER PASTA RECIPES
- Buffalo Wild Wings CrockPot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Recipe
- The Best Chicken Mozzarella Pasta
- The Best Creamy Mozzarella Shrimp Pasta
- Easy 20 Minute Canned Tuna Pasta
- Quick And Easy Dump And Bake Meatball Casserole
- Easy Homemade Cajun Chicken Alfredo Sauce (Creamy Recipe)
Recipe
Ranch Pasta Salad (CREAMY!)
INGREDIENTS
- 2 cups farfalle pasta
- 1 cup chopped cauliflower florets
- 1 can 5 oz tuna, drained
- 1 cup cucumber diced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- ½ cup ranch dressing
- ½ cup grated cheese cheddar or parmesan
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper optional
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder or to taste, optional
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley chopped (optional)
INSTRUCTIONS
- Cook the Pasta & Cauliflower: Boil dried farfalle pasta according to package instructions; add cauliflower florets during last 3 minutes of cooking. Drain and rinse with cold water to cool.
- Prepare the Ingredients: Dice the cucumber and tomatoes and drain the canned tuna. In a big bowl, toss the cooled pasta, cauliflower, tuna and chopped veggies together.
- Dressing & cheese: Add ranch dressing, then mix well to combine. Spoon grated cheese over top and fold gently to combine.
- Chill & Serve: Cover and place in the refrigerator for a minimum of 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Serve cold and enjoy your creamy, refreshing pasta salad!
NOTES
- Adjust the Dressing: Start with ½ cup ranch dressing and add more as needed to reach your desired level of creaminess. As it cools, the pasta will absorb some dressing.
- Use Fresh or Frozen Cauliflower: If you use frozen cauliflower, blanch it in hot water briefly, just to keep it crisp and not mushy. Raw cauliflower gives a bit of crunch if you like some texture.
- Make it Ahead: This salad also gets better after a few hours in the fridge, so it’s ideal for meal prep. Just give it a quick toss before serving to redistribute the dressing.
Hope Foster says
'Ranch Pasta Salad'—what's not to love? I appreciate how you included tips for both store-bought and homemade dressings. It gives me the flexibility to work with what I have on hand!
Hailey Peterson says
Ranch Pasta Salad is such a classic! 💖 I love how colorful and vibrant it looks. Perfect for adding some flair to any meal!
Lisa Evans says
Wow, this looks so refreshing! 🌈 I can already imagine how great it would taste on a hot day. Thanks for sharing the tips for perfecting it too!
Matilda Hayes says
I can already picture serving this at my next picnic! It’s colorful and packed with flavors. The tip about using tricolor rotini is genius; it adds such a fun twist!
Mariah Hughes says
'Easy' and 'delicious' are two of my favorite words when it comes to cooking! This salad seems like the perfect companion for any meal. I'm excited to try adding some tuna for that extra flavor kick.
Jocelyn Coleman says
Oh my goodness, this sounds delicious! 😍 The combination of veggies with ranch is a total win. I can't wait to whip this up for our next picnic!
Marilyn Edwards says
! Absolutely loving the simplicity of this recipe! 🥳 Easy prep means more time to enjoy with friends and family. Can't wait to dig in!
Kendall Brooks says
:heart_eyes: This Ranch Pasta Salad seems like the perfect side dish. I love that you can customize it with different veggies too—so fun!
Linda Rose says
I’m definitely trying this recipe out! 🍅🥒 It’s great to see a pasta salad that’s not just tasty but also super healthy with all those fresh veggies!
Destiny Black says
This recipe is right up my alley—simple yet delicious! I'm especially excited about the homemade ranch dressing idea. I’ve never thought of making my own before!
Mariah Hughes says
"Salad that tastes like comfort food? Yes, please!" I love how colorful this dish is; it's almost too pretty to eat. Can't wait to impress my friends with this one!
Bianca Howard says
'Easy' is my favorite word when it comes to cooking! This Ranch Pasta Salad seems super versatile—perfect for any occasion. I might even add some grilled chicken!
Kendall Brooks says
Oh wow, ranch pasta salad is like a party in a bowl! Love how versatile it is too; I might even toss in some grilled chicken for extra protein. Can't wait to try it out!
Jenna Taylor says
"Simple ingredients but packed with flavor—count me in!" This recipe is exactly what I need for busy weeknights. Thank you for sharing such a great dish!
Margaret Peterson says
I’m all about quick and easy meals! This pasta salad is calling my name, especially with all those fresh veggies. Love the idea of adding tuna too!
Genesis Flores says
I absolutely love how simple and fresh this Ranch Pasta Salad looks! 🌿 It’s the perfect side dish for summer BBQs, and I can totally see myself making this on repeat!
Lauren Bennett says
Yum, this looks like the ideal side dish for any occasion! I adore pasta salads that are both tasty and quick to prepare. Plus, who doesn’t love ranch dressing? Count me in!
Jessica Perry says
This looks like the perfect side dish! I appreciate how you included tips for making the dressing—definitely going to try that homemade version!
Colette Ray says
'Ranch dressing' always makes everything better, doesn't it? This pasta salad seems super refreshing and perfect for warm days. Definitely saving this recipe!
Molly Carter says
I adore pasta salads! The mix of farfalle and fresh veggies sounds delightful. Plus, who can resist ranch dressing? I'm excited to whip this up soon!
Kathleen Taylor says
This Ranch Pasta Salad sounds absolutely delightful! I love how simple it is with just six ingredients, perfect for a casual summer get-together. Can't wait to give this a whirl at my next BBQ!
Natalie Hayes says
! This sounds like the ultimate comfort food for summer days! ☀️ Can’t wait to make it and bring it to my next gathering!
Maya Morgan says
This Ranch Pasta Salad looks so refreshing! I love how simple the ingredients are, and it sounds perfect for summer barbecues. Can't wait to give it a try!
Kate Wilson says
"Ranch dressing on everything" could be my motto! This pasta salad looks so easy and delicious. I'm definitely trying your tips for the best flavor.
Molly Carter says
This salad is calling my name! 🥗 With just six ingredients, it’s so easy to prepare. Plus, who doesn’t love a good ranch dressing? Yum!
Annie Hughes says
Yum, ranch dressing is my guilty pleasure! I love that you can make it in just a few minutes. This will definitely be on my picnic menu this week!
Sara Ross says
I’m all about easy recipes and this one ticks all the boxes! Fresh veggies and creamy ranch dressing? Yes, please! Definitely going to whip this up for lunch this week.
Genesis Flores says
I love pasta salad! This recipe looks so easy and delicious!
Heidi Taylor says
Yum! I can't wait to try this ranch pasta salad for my next picnic!
Hunter Ford says
This sounds super tasty! I like that it's so simple to make!
Leila Howard says
Great recipe! I love all the fresh veggies in this salad.
Bianca Howard says
Ranch dressing is my favorite! This salad looks perfect for summer!
Adeline Fisher says
I’m excited to make this for my family. They will love it!
Christina Jenkins says
Wow, only six ingredients? This is definitely a winner!
Sabrina James says
! I appreciate the step-by-step guide, makes it so easy!
Ariel Campbell says
I can't wait to try making my own ranch dressing for this. So excited!