If you’re on the hunt for a crowd-pleasing dish that’s both simple to make and bursting with flavor, then this collection of 19 Delicious and Easy Pasta Salads Recipe is your new best friend. Imagine tender elbow macaroni tossed with crunchy veggies, savory ham, sharp cheddar, and smoothed over with a creamy ranch dressing that ties everything together beautifully. These pasta salads are perfect for potlucks, family gatherings, or a refreshing weeknight side that brings a pop of color and texture to your table. Trust me, once you give this a try, it’ll become a staple in your recipe repertoire.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in this recipe serves a clear purpose, creating a balance of textures and flavors that make the salad incredibly satisfying. From the hearty pasta to the crisp fresh veggies and creamy dressing, each bite offers a delightful combination you won’t want to miss.
- 1 pound elbow macaroni pasta: The perfect bite-sized pasta shape that holds onto dressing and ingredients excellently.
- 1 cup medium diced or shredded carrots: Adds a sweet crunch and vibrant color to the salad.
- ½ cup celery (finely chopped): Brings refreshing crispness and a subtle earthiness.
- ¼ red onion (diced): Offers a sharp zing that wakes up your taste buds.
- â…” cup frozen peas: Adds pops of sweet, tender green bits that contrast beautifully with the savory elements.
- 1 cup ham (cubed): Provides smoky, meaty depth and extra protein.
- 1 cup cheddar cheese (cubed): Melt-in-your-mouth sharpness that complements the creaminess of the dressing.
- 1 packet ranch seasoning mix: The secret spice blend that delivers that classic ranch flavor we all love.
- 1½ cup mayonnaise: The creamy base that brings everything together with richness.
- ½ cup milk: Used to lighten the mayo and ranch mixture for a perfectly balanced dressing consistency.
How to Make 19 Delicious and Easy Pasta Salads Recipe
Step 1: Cook and Prep Your Ingredients
Start by cooking the elbow macaroni according to the package instructions. While the pasta is boiling, take this time to chop your fresh veggies and cube your ham and cheddar cheese. This multitasking step means you’re prepping your ingredients while the pasta cooks, saving you valuable time and making the whole process feel much smoother.
Step 2: Whisk Together the Dressing
In a bowl, mix the ranch seasoning, mayonnaise, and milk. Whisk thoroughly to ensure that the dressing is completely smooth with no lumps. This creamy ranch dressing is a star player in this recipe, giving your salad that irresistible tangy and savory flavor punch.
Step 3: Cool the Pasta and Combine Ingredients
Once the pasta is fully cooked, drain it and let it cool slightly for a couple of minutes. This little pause helps to avoid wilting your fresh veggies once everything is combined. Then, gently fold in your diced carrots, celery, red onion, frozen peas, ham, and cheddar cheese. Each ingredient adds its own unique personality to your dish.
Step 4: Add the Dressing and Stir Gently
Pour the luscious ranch dressing over the pasta mixture and fold it in carefully. You want everything evenly coated but keep the integrity of those cubes of ham and cheddar. Once combined, cover the salad and pop it into the fridge for at least 1 to 2 hours—this chilling step allows all the flavors to marry beautifully.
Step 5: Final Stir Before Serving
Give your creamy ranch pasta salad a gentle stir right before serving. This step helps redistribute any dressing that may have settled at the bottom and brings your salad back to its perfectly creamy, dreamy state just in time to wow your guests or family.
How to Serve 19 Delicious and Easy Pasta Salads Recipe
Garnishes
Enhance the visual appeal and flavor by topping your pasta salad with fresh herbs like chopped parsley or dill. A sprinkle of paprika or freshly ground black pepper can add a touch of color and mild spice that elevates each bite.
Side Dishes
This pasta salad pairs wonderfully with grilled chicken, crispy fried fish, or even a light leafy green salad. It’s versatile enough to be a sidekick or the star of your summer picnic or barbecue spread.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve your pasta salad in a large, colorful bowl to showcase its vibrant ingredients, or try layering it in clear glass jars for individual servings that wow guests at parties. You can also scoop it onto fresh lettuce cups for a fun, handheld appetizer option.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover pasta salad keeps beautifully in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors even deepen with a day or two in the fridge, so it’s a great make-ahead option for busy days.
Freezing
Freezing is not recommended for this recipe because mayonnaise-based dressings can separate and the texture of fresh veggies will suffer once thawed. For best results, store your pasta salad in the fridge only.
Reheating
This pasta salad is best served cold or at room temperature, so reheating is unnecessary. If you’d like to enjoy it warmer, allow it to come to room temperature for about 15 to 20 minutes before serving.
FAQs
Can I substitute the elbow macaroni with another pasta shape?
Absolutely! Pasta shapes like rotini, shells, or bow ties work wonderfully in this salad because they hold onto the dressing well and mix nicely with the other ingredients.
Is it possible to make this pasta salad vegetarian?
Yes! Simply omit the ham or replace it with plant-based protein like chickpeas or diced tofu for a delicious vegetarian version.
Can I use fresh peas instead of frozen peas?
Fresh peas work great too; just blanch them quickly in boiling water before adding so they stay tender but vibrant green.
What type of mayonnaise is best for this recipe?
Use a good-quality mayonnaise you enjoy eating plain since it plays such a big role in the dressing’s flavor and creaminess. Light mayo can be used, but the salad won’t be quite as rich.
How long should I chill the pasta salad before serving?
Chilling for at least 1 to 2 hours is ideal to let all the flavors meld beautifully, but if you’re short on time, even 30 minutes can make a noticeable difference.
Final Thoughts
Diving into this 19 Delicious and Easy Pasta Salads Recipe is like giving your taste buds a warm hug with every bite. It’s wonderfully simple, irresistibly tasty, and super versatile — perfect to whip up for any occasion. I truly hope you enjoy making and sharing this salad as much as I do. Give it a go and watch it quickly become a beloved classic in your kitchen!
Print
19 Delicious and Easy Pasta Salads Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes plus 1-2 hours chilling
- Yield: 10 to 12 servings
- Category: Salad
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Description
A creamy and flavorful Creamy Ranch Pasta Salad made with elbow macaroni, shredded carrots, celery, red onion, frozen peas, ham, and cheddar cheese, all tossed in a homemade ranch dressing. Perfect for potlucks, picnics, or as a make-ahead side dish.
Ingredients
Pasta Salad Ingredients
- 1 pound elbow macaroni pasta
- 1 cup medium diced or shredded carrots
- ½ cup celery (finely chopped)
- ¼ red onion (diced)
- â…” cup frozen peas
- 1 cup ham (cubed)
- 1 cup cheddar cheese (cubed)
Dressing Ingredients
- 1 packet ranch seasoning mix
- 1½ cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup milk
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Prepare the elbow macaroni according to the package instructions. While waiting for the pasta to boil, gather and prepare the vegetables, ham, and cheese by dicing or shredding as needed.
- Make Dressing: In a bowl, whisk together the ranch seasoning mix, mayonnaise, and milk until the dressing is smooth and free of lumps.
- Combine Ingredients: Once the pasta is cooked, drain it well and allow it to cool for a couple of minutes. Then, mix in the carrots, celery, red onion, frozen peas, ham, and cheddar cheese thoroughly.
- Add Dressing: Pour the prepared ranch dressing over the combined pasta salad ingredients, stirring gently to ensure the dressing is evenly distributed.
- Chill: Cover the pasta salad and refrigerate for at least 1-2 hours to let the flavors meld and to serve it chilled.
- Serve: Before serving, stir the pasta salad again to mix in any dressing that may have settled at the bottom and enjoy your creamy ranch pasta salad.
Notes
- Make sure the pasta is cooled before mixing to avoid melting the cheese.
- Feel free to substitute ham with turkey or chicken for variation.
- You can add other vegetables like bell peppers or cucumbers for extra crunch.
- For a lighter version, use low-fat mayonnaise and milk.
- This pasta salad can be made a day ahead to develop deeper flavors.
- Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator and consume within 3 days for freshness.
