Description
Cheddar Ranch Pasta Salad is a creamy and flavorful dish that brings together the rich taste of cheddar cheese and the tangy zest of ranch dressing. It’s a delightful choice for summer gatherings, potlucks, or picnics, offering a refreshing side that everyone will love. This pasta salad is not only quick to prepare but also highly customizable—making it easy to add your favorite vegetables or toppings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups fusilli noodles (uncooked)
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup ranch dressing
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 bunch green onions (chopped)
- 1/2 cup turkey bacon bits (or vegetarian bacon alternative)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 1/2 cups Ruffles potato chips (crumbled)
Instructions
- Cook the fusilli noodles according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water to cool.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta with mayonnaise and ranch dressing, stirring until fully coated.
- Add shredded cheddar cheese, chopped green onions, turkey bacon bits, salt, pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder. Mix well.
- For serving, gently stir in crumbled potato chips just before serving to maintain their crunch.
- Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (approximately 150g)
- Calories: 365
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: For an extra crunch, consider adding diced bell peppers or celery. Let the salad chill for at least 30 minutes before serving to enhance flavors.