Welcome to Loaves and Dishes Hungry Meatless Monday Eaters!!! It’s been a WHOLE week since we’ve seen each other! Welcome BACK! Today I have the quintessential “getting ready for summer” dish! Tomorrow- this Creamy Ranch Pasta Salad will travel with me to a “moving to our first house” party! Therefore, this pasta salad is made to please the greatest number of regular folks. No strange ingredients. No trying to sneak in vegetables. Just a pasta salad for a lovely spring day.
Tomorrow marks a super important day in the life of our family. My son and his lovely bride are buying their first home. The best part? They will be living ONLY ABOUT 10 MILES FROM ME!!! They are expecting their first baby together. YAY! I will only be 10 miles from my new grandbaby!!! I already have some pretty special things planned for me and that baby to do together!
Anyway, I have to work at my regular day job tomorrow and will not be able to be there for the start of the moving – but I promised to bring dinner for everyone who is helping in the move.
When I put something like this together, I try to have a few homemade treats with a few store bought items – makes for an easier day for me!
The Menu? Hangry Hamburgers with all the usual burger trimmings, Pasta Salad, chips, chip dip and because of a special request from my favorite daughter-in-law (who is expecting) my “death by macaroni and cheese”. Which is a lot of carbs and no real veggies – I know – but I’m feeding a crew of 20+ year olds and they will be working it off. I’ll also have a treat for dessert too – still in the planning stage.
With that – I have some more things to get ready for the moving dinner – and have to get moving myself.
Recipe inspiration for Creamy Ranch Pasta Salad.
You know that boxed pasta salad that you mix in mayonnaise and it is ready? I really like that stuff! (shhh… don’t tell anyone). I refuse to pay that amount of money for pasta salad though – so, I threw this together to approximate that taste.
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Serving suggestions for Creamy Ranch Pasta Salad
Serve this with a sandwich and some chips – perfect quick summer lunch.
Now I ask you, Make Dinner, Not War.
The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! ~ John 1: 29
Creamy Ranch Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- ½ lb pasta – cooked to al dente per box instructions
- 1 small carrot – shredded
- ¼ Cup – frozen baby peas
- 3 Tbs Onion – minced
- ¼ Cup parmesan cheese for vegan - do not use this
- 1 packet Hidden Valley Ranch Salad Dressing mix
- 1 Cup Mayonnaise we prefer Hellman’s (for Vegan use Veganaise)
- 1 Cup Milk for Vegan - use almond milk
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions – drain and set aside to cool. Any pasta is fine – shells, macaroni or penne work great. Once cool, grate the carrot and add to the pasta. Add the peas to the pasta as well as the onion and parmesan cheese.
- In a separate bowl, mix dressing mix and mayo together with a whisk. Whisking vigorously, pour the milk into the mayo little by little, whisking until well combined and creamy. Pour the dressing mix over the pasta and mix well with a large spoon. Salt and pepper to taste. Cool in fridge for an hour before serving. If taking to an outdoor event – keep cool until ready to serve and place any leftovers immediately in the fridge.
Notes
Nutrition
Loretta
Sunday 18th of February 2018
What do you use instead of the ranch packet, that has milk products in it... my son can not eat any milk products... :( it looks delish though!
Wendi Spraker
Monday 19th of February 2018
Hi Loretta. I have never made this without the ranch but my daughter who has done quite a bit of vegan - tells me you can use "just mayo" vegan mayo. For the dry ranch packet you can use onion powder, garlic powder, onion flakes, dried parsley, dried dill, dried thyme, black pepper, dried chives and salt or simply use a bottle of vegan ranch dressing - daiya brand is good she says.
Moxie
Friday 2nd of February 2018
wow!
kari
Tuesday 27th of October 2015
Thanks so much for this recipe! I really appreciate you giving a vegan option. I am not vegan but am trying to make better choices so its nice to see the options listed. I just found your website from pinterest and am excited to start trying these recipes. ( :
Wendi Spraker
Tuesday 27th of October 2015
Hey Kari! Thank you SO MICH for leaving a comment. I'm so glad to have you stopping by. I was a vegetarian (lacto-ovo) for many years and can appreciate the issues. Have a great evening!!