Description
This Creamy Ranch Pea Pasta Salad is full of flavor and made with simple ingredients like sweet peas, shell pasta, and cheddar cheese, making it an ideal quick dinner or a refreshing side dish for gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 cups frozen sweet peas, thawed and drained
- 4 cups small sea shell pasta, cooked
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 1/2 cups mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 0.4-ounce package dry restaurant-style ranch dressing mix
- 1/4 cup sunflower kernels
- 1/4 cup diced celery
Instructions
- Combine the thawed peas in a large mixing bowl.
- Cook the pasta in boiling salted water for about 12 minutes until tender.
- Drain the pasta and rinse it with cold water.
- In the mixing bowl, add the cold peas and pasta together.
- Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until well mixed.
- In another bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, onion powder, garlic powder, yellow mustard, and ranch dressing mix until smooth.
- Pour the dressing mixture over the peas, pasta, and cheese, and stir gently to combine.
- Fold in the sunflower kernels and diced celery for added crunch.
- Cover the bowl and chill in the refrigerator for at least one hour before serving to enhance the flavor.
Notes
For a lighter version, consider using Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise.
This salad can be made a day ahead; the flavors will meld beautifully.
Feel free to add other vegetables like bell peppers or carrots for added color and texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 27g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 15mg