Go Back Email Link
–+ servings

Ranch Pasta Salad (CREAMY!)

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!
5 from 12 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Course: Salad
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 6 minutes
Total Time: 21 minutes
Servings: 12
Calories: 240kcal
Author: Imsen

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.

NUTRITION

Calories: 240kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 12mg | Sodium: 325mg | Potassium: 153mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 65IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 70mg | Iron: 1mg
Keyword easy meals, easy salad, ranch pasta salad, ranch salad
DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?Follow @ambitiousfoodieblog on Instagram, take a shot, and tag it #ambitiousfoodieblog! I love to see what you are making!