Check out this tasty Parmesan Ranch Pasta Salad. A simple, & delicious side dish that’s perfectly paired with a crispy fried chicken dinner or backyard bbq!
It’s no secret, I like easy family dinner ideas that are just that- easy. Especially when preparing for large gatherings like 4th of July celebrations. When I can streamline the process without sacrificing flavor or quality – I will do that.
So we did a trial run while planning out our holiday menu. I want the menu to be something that I can easily prepare because there is always the possibility of the hubs getting called out & I don’t want him to miss dinner. But I want everyone satisfied & happy too.
So I decided I would prepare some yummy sides dishes & have the hubs stop in at the store to pick up some fried chicken from the deli case.
This time I will be adding a loaf of French bread & this Parmesan Ranch Pasta Salad to have along with our chicken. It’s made with noodles, thick & creamy ranch dressing, freshly picked tomatoes from our garden, olives, seasonings & of course Parmesan – it’s the perfect dish.
simple pasta salad recipe
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The kids can’t get enough, which always makes me happy. I really like that it can be prepared ahead of time & kept in the fridge until it’s time to serve.
I love making this pasta salad for all our backyard bbq’s too. When it comes to holiday gatherings, this one is always one of the first dishes to clear out first.
It is also really great to take along when we go camping. I like to prepare it the night before we head out. Then to save space, I store it in a zip-top bag & pop it in the camper fridge when we head out in the morning. Then we have a super tasty side with all our meals while we are out.
Here are some commonly asked questions
Can I add other mix-ins to this pasta salad?
Yes- of course. This would be great with chopped cucumbers, nuts or black beans that are all wonderful add-ins. But you can stray from that list & add corn, celery, as well as chicken.
What is the best way to store extra pasta salad?
After serving, place pasta salad in an airtight container or cover your bowl with plastic wrap or tin foil. Be sure to label with the date before refrigerating. This recipe should keep for up to 2 days if not left out for too long. As with most things, it is important to get food into the refrigerator within 1 hour after serving to prevent bacteria growth.
Is pasta salad supposed to be cold?
Generally, yes. But many are served at either room temperature & some are even served warm. I tend to prefer chilled pasta salad because it is so easy when it comes to making it ahead of time & for enjoying leftovers as well.
cold pasta salad recipe
How much pasta salad for a party?
This recipe will serve at least 12-15 people. So depending on your party, this might be enough. For larger parties, double this recipe.
Other Chicken Recipes
Triple Cheddar Chicken and Pasta
Spinach Stuffed Chicken Parmesan
Chicken Parmesan Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Slow Cooker Chicken Parmesan Soup
Can this recipe be doubled?
YES – I usually like to double this recipe when having friends over. I also like to double this recipe so we have lots of leftovers in anticipation for a busy week ahead. It is so nice to not have to cook for a night or two. I usually double this recipe when we are taking it out camping too.
HOW DO YOU MAKE Parmesan Ranch Pasta Salad?
- In small bowl combine mayo, sour cream,buttermilk & ranch seasoning & whisk well to combine.
- Place in refrigerator while you prepare your other items.
- Cook pasta to package directions (usually requires boiling 8-10 minutes).
- Drain & rinse under cold water.
- Transfer to large mixing bowl & add tomatoes, olives & bacon bits.
- Pour in your prepared ranch dressing & carefully toss to combine.
- Add salt, pepper & granulated garlic & toss again.
- Chill in refrigerator until serving.
best ranch pasta salad
What bowl do you recommend?
Because this recipe makes SO MUCH pasta salad – we love to use a stainless steel bowl that is wonderful for mixing everything from brownie batter, to casserole mixes to pasta salads like this one. Plus it’s REALLY AFFORDABLE too.
Can I use bottled ranch dressing instead?
Yes, absolutely. You will need at least 16 ounces to make this recipe. But I like to add a little more on the leftover days to keep it creamy.
To make this recipe you will need…
- noodles – whatever shape you like
- mayonnaise
- sour cream
- buttermilk
- ranch dressing mix
- granulated garlic
- bacon bits
- tomato – diced
- cherry tomatoes
- chopped olives
- shredded parmesan cheese
- salt & pepper to taste
Products I love when making Parmesan Ranch Pasta Salad…
This pasta salad with ranch dressing recipe is so simple and delicious – and you probably already have many of these items on hand like I do! OR If you’ve never made a pasta salad recipe before, you might be a bit nervous – but you’re going to love the how easy this makes dinner time. I have made a list below of the things I absolutely can’t live without when it comes to making this side dish.
- mayonnaise
- ranch dressing powder
- bottled ranch dressing
- granulated garlic
- table salt
- bacon bits
- mixing bowl
- sturdy mixing spoon
- pot for boiling the pasta
- colander
- measuring cups
- wet ingredient measuring cup
- measuring spoons
So what’s your favorite dish to serve for your 4th of July celebrations?
creamy ranch pasta salad
If you love this bacon pasta salad recipe, you’re going to love these quick & easy dinner recipes too. Please click each link below to find the easy, printable recipe!
Instant Pot Bacon Mac and Cheese
Greek Feta Chicken Pasta Salad
Air Fryer Apricot Glazed Chicken Drumsticks
3-Minute Instant Pot Corn on the Cob
Bourbon Baked Beans – Slow Cooker Recipe
Cheesy Broccoli Sausage Skillet Dinner
Poppy Seed Ham and Cheese Sliders
ranch pasta salad
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Parmesan Ranch Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 12 oz noodles- whatever shape you like
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1 envelope ranch dressing mix
- 2 tsp granulated garlic
- 1/2 cup bacon bits
- 1 large tomato - diced
- 1-1/2 cups cherry tomatoes
- 1 can chopped olives small
- 1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese
- salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- In small bowl combine mayo, sour cream,buttermilk & ranch seasoning & whisk well to combine.
- Place in refrigerator while you prepare your other items.
- Cook pasta to package directions (usually requires boiling 8-10 minutes).
- Drain & rinse under cold water.
- Transfer to large mixing bowl & add tomatoes, olives & bacon bits.
- Pour in your prepared ranch dressing & carefully toss to combine.
- Add salt, pepper & granulated garlic & toss again.
- Chill in refrigerator until serving.
Nutritional information for the recipe is provided as a courtesy and is approximate. Please double-check with your own dietary calculator for the best accuracy. We at Yummi Haus cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site.
Sarah B says
This pasta salad is beautiful!! I know it would be a hit at our family gatherings so I need to pin this!! #client
Blair @ The Seasoned Mom says
Pasta salad and fried chicken are a match made in summer heaven!! Love how easily this dinner comes together. 🙂
Jennifer says
What a yummy and light side for summer dinner! I’ll definitely be sharing!