Cilantro Ranch Pasta Salad
User Reviews
5
Cilantro Ranch Pasta Salad
Description
The Cilantro Ranch Pasta Salad starts with 1 pound of cooked and cooled bowtie pasta as the base. The dressing is a blend of green salsa, mayonnaise, abundant fresh cilantro leaves, lime juice, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper, pureed to a smooth consistency. This dressing coats the pasta, infusing it with a zesty, herbaceous, and creamy profile.
Toppings include halved cherry or grape tomatoes, cubed sharp cheddar cheese, diced English cucumber, diced red onion, diced avocado, and crumbled cooked bacon, added just before serving to provide bursts of freshness, creaminess, and smoky crunch. The salad combines textures from tender pasta, juicy vegetables, creamy dressing, and crisp bacon.
This salad can be served immediately or chilled for flavors to intensify. It's suitable for picnics, barbecues, or potluck meals as a hearty side dish. The combination of cilantro ranch and fresh ingredients offers a flavorful twist on classic pasta salad.
Ingredients
Pasta
- 1 pound bowtie pasta
- 8 ounces tomatoes halved, cherry or grape
- 8 ounces cheddar cheese cubed
- 1 medium English cucumber diced
- 1/2 medium red onion diced
- 1 medium avocado diced
- 1/2 cup Bacon cooked and crumbled
Cilantro Ranch Dressing
- 16 ounces green salsa
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 2 cups cilantro loosely packed, fresh leaves
- 2 tablespoons lime juice about 1 lime
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Cook 1 pound bowtie pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse with cold water until pasta is cooled.
- While pasta is cooking, halve 8 ounces cherry or grape tomatoes, cube 8 ounces cheddar cheese, dice 1 medium English cucumber, 1/2 medium red onion, and 1 medium avocado. Set aside.
- In a blender, make your dressing by adding in 16 ounces green salsa, 1 cup mayonnaise, 2 cups fresh cilantro leaves, 2 tablespoons lime juice, 1 tablespoon garlic powder, 1 tablespoon onion powder, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon black pepper. Blend until smooth.
- In a large bowl, combine the pasta and the dressing together and stir until pasta is all coated in the sauce. Top with the prepared vegetables and 1/2 cup cooked and crumbled bacon.
- Serve right away or cover and keep refrigerated until ready to serve.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 6servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 416 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 416kcal | 21% |
| Carbohydrates | 36g | 12% |
| Protein | 12g | 24% |
| Fat | 25g | 38% |
| Saturated Fat | 7g | 35% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 30mg | 10% |
| Sodium | 949mg | 40% |
| Potassium | 388mg | 8% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 5g | 10% |
| Vitamin A | 631IU | 13% |
| Vitamin C | 10mg | 11% |
| Calcium | 161mg | 16% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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