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    Home » Recipes » Salads

    Creamy Ranch Macaroni Salad

    Published on June 24, 2018 - Updated on January 22, 2023 by Chef Rodney - 1 Comment - This post may contain affiliate links.

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    creamy ranch macaroni salad
    A Refreshing Macaroni Salad. If you like the flavor of ranch dressing, then this macaroni salad recipe is for you!
     
    creamy ranch macaroni salad

    There is nothing better than a good pasta salad to go along with a meal, especially one that involves meat - like a BBQ. I decided to make this Creamy Ranch Macaroni Salad for a recent camping trip to go with the burgers I was grilling.

    veggies for macaroni salad
    Onions, Celery and Parsley for Ranch Macaroni Salad

    Unfortunately, I forgot to bring yellow onion but luckily I had some green onions with me so I used them as a substitute. The end result was the same delicious creamy ranch macaroni salad I was used to.

    Creamy Ranch Macaroni Salad

    This particular macaroni salad is not terribly fancy and doesn't require many different ingredients either. The key to this creamy ranch macaroni salad is to let it marinate in the refrigerator overnight. If you didn't plan accordingly, at least try to let sit in your refrigerator for 2 hours. It will be well worth it in the end!

    a bite of ranch macaroni salad

    💭 Ingredient Substitution

    If you don't have a yellow onion on hand, you can substitute for some green onions as I mentioned above OR you can use a red onion. I usually use a yellow onion when they are going to be cooked but red onions taste great when raw.

    creamy ranch macaroni salad

    If you are like me and buy your ranch dressing mix in bulk, this recipe will need 2 tablespoons of ranch dressing mix. Which is the equivalent of a 1-ounce packet of the Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing mix.

    ranch dressing mix

    Contrary to popular belief, a whole head of celery is called a stalk and a single “stick” from the stalk is called a rib. Since most call a rib of celery "stalk", I use the term Celery Stick to try and avoid any confusion.

    macaroni salad with chicken burger
    Creamy Ranch Macaroni Salad with Chicken Burger

    Can't decide besides pasta salad or coleslaw? Now you can have the best of both worlds with my Macaroni Coleslaw Salad.

    For more great recipes with Ranch Dressing Mix, I suggest you check these recipes out:

    • Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Chili
    • Sriracha Ranch Dipping Sauce
    • BBQ Pulled Chicken Sandwiches
    • Turkey Burgers with Ranch Slaw

    📋 What Ingredients do I need

    You will need the following ingredients to make this creamy ranch macaroni salad recipe (see recipe card for quantities): Pasta, Yellow Onion, Celery, Parsley, Sour Cream, Ranch Dressing Mix, Mayonnaise and Cheddar Cheese.

    🥣 How to make Creamy Ranch Macaroni Salad

    Cook the pasta al dente according to the directions on the package. Drain water then rinse the pasta shells in cold water to stop them from further cooking. Set aside.
    In a large bowl, combine diced onion, diced celery, and parsley. Mix well.
    Add cooled pasta shells to the onion mixture and toss until well mixed.
    Add the sour cream and half the ranch dressing mix to the pasta mixture. Toss until well mixed.
    Add the mayonnaise and the remaining ranch dressing mix. Toss again until well mixed. Add shredded cheddar cheese and toss well once again.
    Cover and refrigerate for a couple of hours before serving.

    Creamy Ranch Macaroni Salad

    Creamy Ranch Macaroni Salad

    A Refreshing Macaroni Salad. If you like the flavor of ranch dressing, then this macaroni salad recipe is for you!
    4.42 from 24 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 10 mins
    Cooling Time 2 hrs
    Total Time 2 hrs 15 mins
    Course Salads, Side Dish
    Cuisine American
    Servings 8
    Calories 494 kcal

    Ingredients
     

    • 16 oz Pasta
    • ¾ Cup Yellow Onion, Diced
    • ½ Cup Celery, Diced
    • 1 Cup Dried Parsley Flakes, Finely Chopped
    • 1 Cup Sour Cream
    • 1 Pkg Ranch Dressing Mix, divided
    • 1 Cup Mayonnaise
    • ½ Cup Cheddar Cheese, Shredded
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions
     

    • Cook pasta al dente according to directions on package. Drain water then rinse pasta shells in cold water to stop them from further cooking. Set aside.
    • In a large bowl, combine diced onion, diced celery and parsley. Mix well.
    • Add cooled pasta shells to the onion mixture and toss until well mixed.
    • Add the sour cream and half the ranch dressing mix to pasta mixture. Toss until well mixed.
    • Add the mayonnaise and the remaining ranch dressing mix. Toss again until well mixed. Add shredded cheddar cheese and toss well once again.
    • Cover and refrigerate for a couple of hours before serving.

    Notes

    → In the event you buy your ranch dressing mix in bulk, a packet of Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing Mix is 1 ounce which equals 2 tablespoons.
    → Contrary to popular belief, a whole head of celery is called a stalk and a single “stick” from the stalk is called a rib. Since most call a rib of celery "stalk", I use the term Celery Stick to try and avoid any confusion.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 494kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 10gFat: 29gSaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 34mgSodium: 267mgPotassium: 259mgFiber: 2gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 930IUVitamin C: 11.6mgCalcium: 113mgIron: 1.4mg

    Nutritional information provided for this recipe is based on 1 serving. This information is an estimate and may vary based on several factors. If nutritional information is important to you and your diet, please verify this recipe with a Registered Dietitian.

    Tried this Recipe?Leave a Comment below and share a picture on Instagram and tag @hot_rods_recipes and hashtag #hotrodsrecipes!

    More Delicious Salads & Dressings

    • Simple Poblano Ranch Sauce
    • Garbanzo and Black Bean Salad
    • Superb Jalapeño Salad Dressing
    • Homemade Ranch Dressing
    hot rods recipes

    Reader Interactions

    1 Comment

    1. Jacob

      December 28, 2022 at 2:44 pm

      I was never a fan of Ranch dressing until I tasted this macaroni salad. It is very tasty and No 1 in my book.

      Reply

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