This salad is a meal in itself. I can eat it for lunch or dinner, add some kind of bread and drink and that’s all I need. I love making it with fresh tomatoes, cucumbers and green onions, too.
8 ounces salad rotini pasta (could use any kind of pasta you like)
1 can medium pitted ripe olives, weight 6 ounces, drained, chopped
1 cup cooked chicken breast, chopped (Optional)
1/4 cup real bacon bits
1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
1/2 cup green onion, chopped (or about 3 onions)
12 cherry tomatoes, cut in half (could use more or 1 large tomato, chopped and drained)
1 cup cucumber, coarsely chopped
Prepare pasta according to package directions for salad pasta draining and running under cold water. Let pasta cool while you prepare other ingredients. Mix all together in a large salad bowl and add homemade ranch dressing made with recipe below. Let cool in refrigerator for several hours before serving or overnight. Makes about 10 to 12 servings. Serve over lettuce or as is. (Note: This salad will keep in the refrigerator for several days. If becomes dry after a few days, add more mayo.) ENJOY!
Ranch Dressing
1/4 cup mayonnaise or salad dressing (your preference)
1/2 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon dillweed
Whisk all ingredients together in a small bowl. Makes about 1 cup dressing. Pour over pasta salad. (I love this dressing and could eat it with chips!)
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Filed under: Pasta, Ranch Pasta Salad, Rotini, Salads Tagged: | brunch, dinner, Entertaining, food, Onions, pasta, Ranch dressing, recipes, salads, southern lady, Tomatoes
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It looks amazing. Pasta salads like this are divine. So tasty and light. Yum.
This looks really good! I usually just make rainbow pasta and mix with whatever vegetables I have, then italian dressing… but I’ll have to try this for a change! Have a great day
Always a crowd pleaser!
Sorry I’ve been bad about commenting lately.
Pasta salad is so cool and refreshing in the summertime!
Add pepperoni makes it awesome..also change it to Italian now an again….makes it great
I made this today. It’s amazing! Such a good mix of flavors and textures. I will definitely be making this again.
I just found your blog today, and there are so many recipes I want to make. Your recipe for Ranch Pasta Salad, however, brings tears to my eyes. My grandmother (who was one of my most favorite people on this planet) used to make this very ranch dressing with me and we would serve it with dinner mixed with sliced cucumbers and onions. She has been gone for just over a decade now, but I think of her every time I cook. Thank you for a delicious twist on one of my favorite dishes
I love this salad and always add some REAL crumbled bacon bits!
I’m so happy to find this recipe