Can I use a different pasta shape for this salad?

Absolutely! While rotini works beautifully because its spirals catch the dressing, other short pasta shapes like bow ties, penne, or shells work wonderfully too. Avoid long pasta like spaghetti or fettuccine as they're harder to eat in a cold salad.

How long can this pasta salad sit out at a picnic or BBQ?

Because this salad contains mayonnaise, it shouldn't sit out at room temperature for more than 2 hours (1 hour if the temperature is above 90°F). Consider placing the serving bowl in a larger bowl filled with ice to keep it chilled longer during outdoor events.

Can I make this salad healthier?

You can lighten up this recipe by using light mayonnaise, turkey bacon instead of regular bacon, and reducing the amount of cheese. You can also boost the vegetable content by adding more veggies like bell peppers, celery, or cucumber.

Why is my pasta salad dry the next day?

Pasta naturally absorbs moisture as it sits in the refrigerator. If your salad seems dry after storage, simply stir in a bit more mayonnaise or prepared ranch dressing until you reach your desired consistency. Always taste and adjust seasonings after adding more dressing.

Hidden Valley Ranch Pasta Salad Recipe

Description

This flavorful Hidden Valley Ranch Pasta Salad combines tender rotini pasta with crispy bacon, juicy grape tomatoes, tangy black olives, and sharp cheddar cheese, all tossed in a creamy ranch dressing. It’s a simple, crowd-pleasing side dish perfect for potlucks, parties, picnics, or as a make-ahead meal for busy days. Easy to prepare and full of zesty ranch flavor, this salad is best served chilled for a refreshing bite every time.

Ingredients

Units Scale

Pasta and Base

- - 8 oz. rotini pasta, cooked
  - 1 cup mayonnaise
  - 1 oz. Hidden Valley dry ranch seasoning

Mix-Ins

- 10 slices bacon, cooked and chopped
- 1 pint grape tomatoes, halved
- 3.8 oz. black olives, drained
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

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Instructions

Prepare the Pasta: Cook 8 oz. of rotini pasta according to the package instructions. Once cooked, drain and rinse under cold water to cool completely and prevent sticking.
Mix the Salad Base: In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta, 1 cup of mayonnaise, and 1 oz. of Hidden Valley dry ranch seasoning. Stir until the pasta is thoroughly coated with the creamy ranch mixture.
Add the Mix-Ins: Gently fold in the chopped bacon, halved grape tomatoes, drained black olives, and shredded cheddar cheese. Stir until all ingredients are well distributed throughout the salad.
Chill the Salad: Cover and refrigerate the pasta salad for at least 4 hours to allow the flavors to meld and the salad to cool thoroughly.
Stir and Serve: Before serving, stir the salad well to re-combine any dressing that may have settled. Serve cold and enjoy!

Notes

Short on time? Use bottled ranch dressing instead of ranch seasoning and mayo.
This salad can be doubled for potlucks, parties, or BBQs and tastes even better after sitting for 12-24 hours.
To speed up cooking, make bacon in the air fryer or use pre-made bacon.
Stir leftovers well, and add a bit more mayo or ranch if the salad has dried out in the fridge.
If you dislike mayo, you can substitute with sour cream for a similar creamy texture.
For best flavor, always serve the salad chilled.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/8 of salad
Calories: 420
Sugar: 3g
Sodium: 970mg
Fat: 32g
Saturated Fat: 8g
Unsaturated Fat: 20g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 26g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 10g
Cholesterol: 36mg