Healthy Ranch Pasta Salad With Olive Oil
This Healthy Ranch Pasta Salad with Olive Oil is just what your barbecue or potluck needs! I mix together my Homemade Ranch Seasoning Mix with No Sugar with extra virgin olive oil to create this a healthier version of ranch pasta salad that everyone will love!
For more quick and easy dinner recipes, check out Healthy Sloppy Joe Bowls, Slow Cooker Pumpkin Stew, or 6 Ingredient Beef Fajitas Without Marinade.
A Quick Look At The Recipe
- Recipe Name: Healthy Ranch Pasta Salad With Olive Oil
- Ready In: 30 minutes
- Makes: 8 servings
- Main Ingredients: pasta, ranch seasoning mix, olive oil
- Flavor Profile: ranch pasta salad without the heavy creamy feeling
- Dietary Info: eggless, no seed oils, gluten free swap available
- Difficulty: Easy!
- Why You’ll Love It: healthier take on ranch pasta salad!
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Light and Refreshing: Unlike traditional creamy pasta salad, this healthier version uses lighter ingredients like extra virgin olive oil for the ranch dressing, making it a refreshing and guilt-free option perfect for warm weather.
- Veggie Loaded: This Healthy Ranch Pasta Salad is loaded with fresh vegetables like broccoli, cucumbers, and bell peppers!
- Protein-Rich: Adding lean proteins like turkey turn this organic pasta salad into a hearty meal that keeps you full and energized throughout the day.
- Quick and Easy: This dish is simple to prepare and can be made ahead of time, making it a convenient option for meal prep, picnics, or quick weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
- Pasta: I use organic Penne pasta, but any similar variety you have will work.
- Ranch Seasoning: This is what I use to get the Ranch flavor in this pasta salad without ranch dressing! I use my Homemade Ranch Seasoning Mix With No Sugar, but you can use your favorite. I like making my own as I know it's free of seed oils and soy.
- Cabbage: I use organic purple cabbage for a crunch, but green also works.
- Bell Pepper: I use organic yellow bell pepper as I like the sweetness here, but any color is also fine.
- Olive Oil: Use a high quality organic extra virgin olive oil. This is what is going to help coat that Ranch seasoning all over this pasta salad without making it creamy or heavy while still giving you big, bold Ranch flavor!
*For a full list of ingredients and measurements, visit the recipe card below.
Tips for Healthy Ranch Pasta Salad With Olive Oil
- I add in deli turkey meat for extra protein here. But, deli ham, roast beef or even chicken also works!
- If you prefer a creamy ranch pasta salad, you can make a creamy ranch dressing by adding ½ cup sour cream, ½ cup buttermilk (or whole milk), and 1 tablespoon Homemade Ranch Seasoning Mix with No Sugar to a bowl and mix together. Or you can use your favorite ranch dressing too.
- Meal prep or store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge.
- If you'd like to add cheese, add 1 cup of shredded white cheddar, cheddar, mozzarella, or any other cheese you think would go well!
- Use gluten free noodles if you are gluten free, I love Food To Live Organic Chickpea Pasta!
- High Altitude — Follow the recipe as noted. But, the noodles may take a few extra minutes to cook at altitude, so be sure to check they are done.
How to Make Healthy Ranch Pasta Salad With Olive Oil
- Cook the noodles per the instructions on the box. Allow to cool completely.
- Chop the veggies and turkey.
- In a very large bowl, add the noodles, broccoli, yellow pepper, cucumbers, carrots, cabbage, onion, turkey, and cheese (if using).
- Add the Ranch seasoning and olive oil over the top and stir to combine completely. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Cookout Menu Inspiration
This Healthy Ranch Pasta Salad with Olive Oil is a great dish for a barbecue. Whether you are hosting or attending, this dish is quick, easy, serves a crowd, and everyone will love it! It goes well with these other cookout recipes too!
- Grilled Greek Chicken Shish Kabobs With Tzatziki Sauce are a tasty easy grilling dish!
- Organic Chicago Style Hot Dogs with Sauerkraut are a fun twist on classic dogs!
- If you're grilling dogs or burgers, take them up a notch with Homemade Sourdough Hot Dog Buns or Soft White Hamburger Buns.
- Don't forget dessert, Blueberry Slab Pie Without Eggs, Cherry Pie Bars, or Peach Crumble Pie are perfect for a summer party!
Recipe FAQ's
This Ranch Pasta Salad with Olive Oil will stay good for about 5 days in an airtight container in the fridge.
Make sure to cook the noodles completely so they are just past al dente as we're not cooking them more or adding hot sauce or warm toppings, so we want to ensure noodles are cooked well. I also like to let the flavors absorb in this ranch pasta salad, so storing it in the fridge for a few hours or overnight will let all the flavor soak in.
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Healthy Ranch Pasta Salad With Olive Oil
Equipment
- 3-Quart Pot
- Cutting Board
- Knife
- Mixing Bowl
Ingredients
- 1 pound Penne noodles
- 1 cup chopped purple cabbage
- 1 cucumber (quartered)
- 1 yellow bell pepper (diced)
- ½ cup diced red onion
- 1 cup grated carrots
- 2 cups chopped broccoli florets
- 1 pound turkey (diced)
- 2 ½ tablespoons Ranch Seasoning Mix
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the noodles per the instructions on the box. Allow to cool completely.
- Chop the veggies and turkey.
- In a very large bowl, add the noodles, broccoli, yellow pepper, cucumbers, carrots, cabbage, onion, turkey, and cheese (if using).
- Add the olive oil and Ranch seasoning over the top and stir to combine completely. Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Store in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Video
Notes
- I add in deli turkey meat for extra protein here. But, deli ham, roast beef or even chicken also works!
- If you prefer a creamy ranch pasta salad, you can make a creamy ranch dressing by adding ½ cup sour cream, ½ cup buttermilk (or whole milk), and 1 tablespoon Homemade Ranch Seasoning Mix with No Sugar to a bowl and mix together. Or you can use your favorite ranch dressing too.
- Meal prep or store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge.
- If you'd like to add cheese, add 1 cup of shredded white cheddar, cheddar, mozzarella, or any other cheese you think would go well!
- Use gluten free noodles if you are gluten free, I love Food To Live Organic Chickpea Pasta!
- High Altitude — Follow the recipe as noted. But, the noodles may take a few extra minutes to cook at altitude, so be sure to check they are done.
Nutrition
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This is my go to recipe for summer potlucks, people are always asking me for this recipe!