This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Ranch Pasta Salad- this vegan pasta salad is ridiculously easy to make and perfect for potlucks and summer get togethers!
It has been far too long since I’ve shared a pasta salad recipe with you and I’m happy that we’re fixing that today! I’ve had this ranch pasta salad recipe on my to-do list for a WHILE but I wanted to wait until summer party/ grilling season to make it. It’s everything I had hoped for!
Like many of my other pasta salad recipes, I wanted to keep this one simple. It’s pasta, veggies, and ranch. easy peasy! You can use whatever pasta you want including a gluten free variation including lentil or black bean pasta.
How to make this creamy ranch pasta salad recipe:
Start by making your pasta. As mentioned above, you can use whatever pasta you so desire but I really like spirals for this. The dressing gets stick in all of the twists and grooves of the pasta and just tastes so good! If you’re looking for a healthier or gluten free option, I’m sure that this would taste great with wheat pasta, red lentil pasta, or one of the many other healthy and gluten free options out there now.
If you’re making my homemade vegan ranch dressing, you can whip that together while the pasta cooks (it only takes a few minutes!).
Once everything is ready, you simply mix the pasta, ranch dressing, and veggies together in a large bowl until the ranch has coated everything. AND that’s it.
Can you refrigerate this cold pasta salad recipe?
You can keep this pasta salad in the fridge for a couple of days but I don’t recommend it. The pasta really dries out after being in the fridge for a day. If you want to make this ahead of time to serve at a party, I suggest that you toss the pasta and veggies together and then wait to add the ranch dressing until you’re ready to serve the dish.
If you do store some in the fridge, I would just plan to add a little extra ranch to the salad so that it’s not so dry.
I have a few more vegetarian pasta salad recipes planned for this summer and I can’t wait to share them with you!
More Vegan Pasta Salad Recipes:
See how to make this Ranch Pasta Salad Recipe:
Ranch Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 12 oz box of rotini pasta*, any pasta works here really
- 1 cup of chopped cucumbers
- 1 cup of chopped carrot
- 1 cup of chopped tomatoes, I used cherry tomatoes halved
- 1 cup of chopped broccoli
- 1- 1 ½ cups of ranch dressing, see HERE for my homemade vegan version
- salt and pepper to taste, depends on the taste of your ranch really
Instructions
- Cook your pasta according to package instructions. When done, drain and run under cold water to help cool down the pasta.
- Add pasta to a large bowl and add all remaining ingredients. Mix until combined, add extra dressing if desired, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- ENJOY! Store in the fridge for a few days. I find that it dries out a bit but you can add a little extra dressing when serving.
Video
I have been making this salad for a while and just got around to writing a review. My family LOVES this salad and every time I make it, someone asks for the recipe. However, I added the shredded SHARP cheddar cheese last time and the taste was enhanced. A mild or medium cheddar just doesn’t hold up to the myriad of flavors in this salad.
This is definitely a keeper! Love the ranch dressing and its so easy!