Creamy Ranch Pea Pasta Salad

This Creamy Ranch Pea Pasta Salad is cool, creamy, crunchy, and full of easy flavor. Tender small shell pasta gets mixed with sweet peas, shredded cheddar cheese, a creamy ranch dressing, sunflower kernels, and diced celery for a simple pasta salad that works beautifully as a side dish for BBQs, potlucks, picnics, and weeknight dinners.

Creamy Ranch Pea Pasta Salad

I love a good chilled pasta salad, especially one that can be made ahead of time and pulled from the fridge when dinner is ready. This one has that classic creamy pasta salad feel, but the ranch seasoning gives it a little extra flavor without making it complicated.

When we lived at Camp Lejeune, my friend Tara and I used to make pasta salad all the time during the summer. We used to make the Suddenly Salad – Pasta Salad Starter Kits, and they were so good. This isn’t a boxed pasta salad starter, but it does make me think about her and our summer together at Camp Lejeune when our husbands were deployed.

Thomas and Jackson don’t like pasta salad, so I definitely miss my pasta salad buddy! haha She lived in Florida now, though, so unfortanyl I must eat this pasta salad alone.

Speaking of me eating this pasta salad…look, I know y’all love bacon, and this pasta salad would be absolutely amazing with bacon bits added to it. However…I don’t want to die…and with aplha-gal..well..bacon might take me out. So… if YOU can eat bacon, I encourage you to add some crispy bacon to this pasta salad recipe and turn it into a delicious bacon ranch pasta salad. I’ll be envious….but from way over here…so you know… I can live… haha

Why You’ll Love This Creamy Ranch Pea Pasta Salad

• Easy make-ahead side dish recipe
• Perfect for cookouts, potlucks, and summer dinners
• Made with simple pantry barbecues, and freezer ingredients
• Creamy ranch flavor in every bite
• Sweet peas, cheddar cheese, and crunchy sunflower kernels make it extra good

Quick Glance Ingredients

• Frozen sweet green peas
• Small shell pasta
• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Mayonnaise
• Apple cider vinegar
• Onion powder
• Garlic powder
• Yellow mustard
• Dry restaurant-style ranch dressing mix
• Sunflower kernels
• Diced celery

How to Make Creamy Ranch Pea Pasta Salad

Angie’s Kitchen Notes

• Rinsing the pasta with cold water helps stop the cooking and keeps the salad chilled.
• Don’t try to mix HOT pasta with the peas and cheese, you’ll end up with a goopy mess.
• This pasta salad tastes best after it has had time to sit in the refrigerator.
• If the pasta absorbs too much dressing after chilling, stir in a spoonful or two of mayonnaise before serving.
• Sunflower kernels add a great salty crunch, but you can leave them out if needed.
• Sharp cheddar gives this salad a stronger cheese flavor, but mild cheddar works too.
• I can’t have bacon because of Alpha-Gal but if you like bacon, this pasta salad would be great with bacon bits!

Storage

Store leftover Creamy Ranch Pea Pasta Salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Stir before serving. This pasta salad is best served cold and should not be left out at room temperature for long.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this pasta salad ahead of time?

Yes. This pasta salad is great for making ahead. Chill it for at least 1 hour before serving, or make it several hours in advance for even better flavor.

Can I use a different pasta shape?

Yes. Small shells work really well because they hold the creamy dressing, but rotini, elbows, or bowtie pasta would also work.

Can I add bacon?

Yes. If you are not avoiding bacon, cooked and crumbled bacon would be a delicious addition to this ranch pea pasta salad.

Can I use canned peas?

Frozen sweet peas are best for this recipe because they hold their texture better, but canned peas can be used in a pinch. Drain them well and fold them in gently. They can get mushy.

More Pasta Salad Recipes:

• Mozzarella Skull Caprese Pasta Salad – CreepyCaprese
• Greek “Dill”-light Pasta Salad
• Instant Pot Pasta Salad
• Mom’s Pasta Salad

Creamy Ranch Pea Pasta Salad Recipe

Creamy Ranch Pea Pasta Salad

Yield: 6 cups

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 12 minutes

Chill Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour 17 minutes

A cool and creamy ranch pasta salad made with sweet peas, cheddar cheese, sunflower kernels, and celery.

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Ingredients

• 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

1. Add the thawed peas to a large mixing bowl.
2. Cook pasta in boiling salted water until tender, about 12 minutes.
3. Drain pasta and rinse with cold water.
4. In a large bowl, combine the cold peas and cold pasta.
5. Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese.
6. In a separate bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, onion powder, garlic powder, yellow mustard, and dry ranch dressing mix.
7. Pour the dressing over the peas, pasta, and cheese. Stir gently until combined.
8. Fold in sunflower kernels and diced celery.
9. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving for best flavor.

Notes

If you don't want to make the ranch dressing, you could always use your own favorite bottled ranch but this homemade one is really good.

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