A Refreshing Macaroni Salad. If you like the flavor of ranch dressing, then this macaroni salad recipe is for you!
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There is nothing better than a good pasta salad to go along with a meal, especially one that involves meat - like a BBQ. On a recent camping trip I wanted to make this delicious macaroni salad for a pot luck we were attending but forgot to bring yellow onion! Luckily I some green onions already chopped up for a different recipe so I used them as a substitute for the yellow onion. The end result was the same delicious creamy ranch macaroni salad I was used to.
This particular pasta 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!
If ranch flavor is not your thing, I would suggest you try my Hot Rod’s Macaroni Salad or my Macaroni Coleslaw Salad recipe. Both super delicious!
📋 What Ingredients do I need
You will need the following ingredients to make this creamy ranch macaroni salad: Pasta, Yellow Onion, Celery, Parsley, Sour Cream, Ranch Dressing Mix, Mayonnaise and Cheddar Cheese.
🥣 How to make this Creamy Ranch Macaroni Salad
Cook pasta al dente according to 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 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.
🍳 Recipe Card
Creamy Ranch Macaroni Salad
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
- 1 Cup Mayonnaise
- ½ Cup Cheddar Cheese, Shredded
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.
Nutrition
Any nutritional information provided on this site 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.
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