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Creamy ranch vegetable pasta salad with rotini pasta, cherry tomatoes, broccoli, carrots, cucumber, green onions, and creamy ranch dressing in a close-up bowl.

Creamy Ranch Vegetable Pasta Salad

Nesting Lane
Creamy Ranch Vegetable Pasta Salad with rotini, broccoli, cucumbers, tomatoes, carrots, cheddar, and creamy ranch dressing.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Chill Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 8

Equipment

Large Pot
Colander
Large Mixing Bowl
Medium Bowl
Whisk
Cutting Board
Sharp Knife
Measuring Spoons
Measuring Cup

Ingredients
 

  • 12 ounces rotini pasta
  • 2 cups small broccoli florets
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
  • 1 cup cucumbers diced
  • 1 cup shredded carrots
  • ½ cup red bell pepper diced
  • ½ cup celery diced
  • ⅓ cup sliced green onions
  • ½ cup reduced-fat shredded cheddar cheese (optional)

For the Creamy Ranch Dressing:

Instructions
 

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
  • Add the rotini pasta. Cook the pasta according to the package directions until tender.
  • Drain the pasta in a colander. Rinse the pasta under cold water until cooled. Drain the pasta well.
  • Add the cooled pasta to a large mixing bowl.
  • Add the broccoli, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, red bell pepper, celery, green onions, and cheddar cheese.
  • In a medium mixing bowl, add the Greek yogurt, ranch dressing, mayonnaise, lemon juice, parsley, dill, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Using a wire whisk, mix well.
  • Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture. Toss until the pasta and vegetables are evenly coated.
  • Cover the bowl. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
  • Stir before serving. Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of milk if the pasta salad gets too thick after chilling.

Notes

 9 WW Smart Points

Tips and Tricks

Drain the pasta well - Extra water can thin the dressing and make the pasta salad watery. Let the pasta sit in the colander for a minute after rinsing.
Cut the vegetables small - Smaller pieces mix better with the pasta and make the salad easier to serve.
Taste after chilling - Cold pasta can soften the flavor of the dressing. Add a small pinch of salt or pepper before serving if needed.
Use sturdy pasta - Rotini works well because the twists hold the dressing. Avoid thin pasta shapes that break apart after mixing.

Storing

Store in the Refrigerator - Place the pasta salad in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
Stir Before Serving - The dressing may settle as it chills. Stir the pasta salad before serving.
Add Milk if Needed - If the pasta absorbs too much dressing, stir in 1 to 2 tablespoons of milk to loosen it.

Nutrition

Calories: 277kcalCarbohydrates: 39gProtein: 10gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.004gCholesterol: 7mgSodium: 314mgPotassium: 370mgFiber: 3gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 3307IUVitamin C: 40mgCalcium: 85mgIron: 1mg
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