Description
A refreshing and creamy ranch pasta salad featuring rotini pasta, crisp romaine lettuce, grape tomatoes, and crispy bacon, all tossed in a tangy homemade buttermilk ranch dressing. Perfect as a side or a light main dish for picnics, potlucks, or casual meals.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta Salad
- 1 pound pasta (rotini)
- 1 heart of romaine, chopped (about 3–4 cups)
- 1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
- 8 pieces of bacon, cooked crispy and crumbled
Buttermilk Ranch Dressing
- 3/4 cup buttermilk (divided)
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon dried dill
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh chives
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Cook the rotini pasta according to package directions until al dente. Once cooked, rinse thoroughly with cool water to stop the cooking process and prevent sticking, then set aside to drip dry.
- Prepare Dressing: While the pasta cooks, whisk together 1/2 cup buttermilk, sour cream, mayonnaise, lemon juice, minced garlic, dried dill, salt, pepper, and chopped chives in a bowl. Gradually drizzle in the remaining 1/4 cup of buttermilk while whisking to achieve a smooth and pourable consistency. Chill the dressing until ready to use. This dressing can be made up to three days in advance.
- Assemble Salad: In a large bowl, combine the cooked and cooled pasta, chopped romaine lettuce, and halved grape tomatoes. Pour the chilled ranch dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly.
- Add Bacon: Stir the crispy, crumbled bacon into the salad last to maintain its texture and flavor.
- Serve: Serve the creamy ranch pasta salad immediately as a flavorful side dish or a light main course. Enjoy!
Notes
- For best flavor, chill the dressing before mixing into the salad.
- You can prepare the dressing up to three days ahead to save time.
- Ensure the pasta is well drained and cooled to prevent the salad from becoming soggy.
- Bacon can be cooked ahead and stored in the refrigerator until ready to use.
- Feel free to substitute romaine with other crisp lettuces or add additional vegetables like cucumbers for extra crunch.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Creamy Ranch Pasta Salad, Pasta Salad, Buttermilk Ranch Dressing, Bacon Pasta Salad, Rotini Pasta Salad, Summer Salad, Picnic Salad, Easy Pasta Salad
