Description
This creamy pasta salad is a vibrant, flavorful dish perfect for potlucks, picnics, or any casual gathering. Packed with crunchy vegetables, tender fusilli pasta, and a smooth ranch-based dressing, it delivers a refreshing bite that’s both satisfying and easy to prepare.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1 16 ounce package fusilli or rotini pasta
Dressing
- 1 1/2 cups mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 1 ounce package ranch dressing mix
Vegetables & Cheese
- 1 cucumber (quartered and thinly sliced)
- 2 cups broccoli florets (chopped)
- 2 cups asparagus (ends removed, and chopped)
- 2 bell peppers (chopped)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
- 1/4 cup red onion (thinly sliced)
- 3/4 cup cheddar cheese (sliced into matchsticks or grated)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Prepare the fusilli or rotini pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Once cooked, drain the pasta and let it cool for a few minutes.
- Prepare Vegetables and Cheese: While the pasta is cooking, quarter and thinly slice the cucumber, chop the broccoli florets, trim and chop the asparagus, chop the bell peppers, halve the cherry tomatoes, thinly slice the red onion, and slice or grate the cheddar cheese. Set all aside.
- Make Dressing: In a bowl, whisk together the ranch dressing mix, mayonnaise, and milk until the mixture is smooth and lump-free, creating the creamy dressing base.
- Combine Salad Ingredients: Once the pasta has cooled slightly, gently mix in the prepared cucumber, broccoli, asparagus, bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and cheddar cheese into the pasta.
- Add Dressing: Pour the creamy ranch dressing over the combined pasta and vegetables. Stir gently but thoroughly until everything is evenly coated with the dressing.
- Chill: Cover the pasta salad and refrigerate it for at least 1 to 2 hours. This chilling step helps the flavors meld and ensures a refreshing, cool dish.
- Serve: Just before serving, give the pasta salad a few more stirs to redistribute any dressing that may have settled, then serve and enjoy your creamy pasta salad!
Notes
- For best results, prepare this salad a few hours ahead to allow the flavors to meld.
- You can substitute mayonnaise with Greek yogurt for a tangier and lighter dressing.
- Add cooked chicken or bacon for a heartier version.
- Use gluten-free pasta if you require a gluten-free option.
- If you prefer less dressing, adjust the mayonnaise and milk quantities accordingly.
