Real Recipes From Real Home Cooks ®

superb southwestern ranch pasta salad

(1 rating)
Recipe by
Cassie *
Somewhere, PA

Okay, I needed to come up with a delicious pasta salad, to use up some pretty pasta I had bought a few weeks ago...I only bought it for the prettiness...lol! My family got a kick out of that...anyway, I had to prove to them I would use it up...so, I had several packs of Hidden Valley Spicy Ranch mix and all kinds of veggies to use...wanted to keep it on a Southwestern theme...so here is what I concocted and it is absolutely delicious! If you can't find the spicy ranch, which to me is not spicy...use regular ranch packet...My family says its a keeper and to make it often! Enjoy!

(1 rating)
yield 12 serving(s)
prep time 15 Min
cook time 15 Min
method Stove Top

Ingredients For superb southwestern ranch pasta salad

  • 16 oz
    cooked and drained tri color pasta or your favorite
  • 3/4 c
    red and green pepper, diced
  • 1/2 c
    black olives, sliced - i cut mine in half
  • 3
    green onions, sliced thin
  • 1/2 c
    red onion, diced
  • 5 - 6 oz
    shredded, cheddar cheese
  • 1 c
    frozen corn, thawed
  • 1 sm
    avacado, peeled and diced
  • 1 md
    tomato, diced
  • 1/2 md
    cucumber, diced
  • 4 Tbsp
    real bacon bits or use crumbled fresh bacon
  • 1/2 Tbsp
    salad supreme seasoning
  • salt
    & pepper to taste - optional
  • DRESSING
  • 1 pkg
    hidden valley spicy ranch - mixed according to directions on packet
  • 1 c
    milk for dressing
  • 1 c
    mayonnaise for dressing
  • 1/4 tsp
    each - cumin & chili powder or to taste
  • 1 1/2 tsp
    sugar

How To Make superb southwestern ranch pasta salad

  • 1
    Make dressing according to package instructions, with the addition of sugar, cumin and chili powder. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
  • 2
    Cook your pasta, according to package instructions. Rinse with cold water and drain well.
  • 3
    Cut up your vegetables.
  • 4
    Once pasta is cool and dressing is chilled - pour pasta into a large bowl and sprinkle with salad supreme.
  • 5
    Add prepared vegetables, cheese and bacon. Toss well.
  • 6
    Pour prepared dressing over pasta mixture and toss well to coat all pasta. Salt and pepper if desired.
  • 7
    Place in refrigerator and chill until ready to serve. At least 2 hours. I garnished with some sliced green onion tops...Enjoy!
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