The BEST Pasta Salad with Ranch Dressing

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You are going to love this incredible ranch pasta salad recipe. There are so many delicious flavors and it is always a massive crowd pleaser.

Ranch Pasta Salad Recipe

Guys. I don't even know where to begin. This ranch bowtie pasta salad is UNREAL GOOD. My good friend Janet gave me the recipe to try a few months ago, and now I am pretty much addicted.

You guys know my favorite way to get my fruits and veggies is to pack them in a salad of some sort, and this one is full of flavor. I make a big batch so I can eat it for lunch all week, and it seriously makes my day every time. You guys definitely need to add this chicken bowtie pasta salad into your rotation.

My husband isn't a big fan of fruit in salads, so the first time I made it he was kind of turning his nose up at it. I literally forced him to take one bite, and he ended up eating three bowls. When I say everyone will love this ranch pasta salad recipe, trust me, I mean it.

If you love pasta salad recipes you will also love our yummy Italian Pasta Salad or our Easy Summer Pasta Salad recipe. Or you can find our entire Salad Recipe Gallery here.

Bowtie Salad Ingredients

Green Grapes
Red Grapes
Green Onions
Pineapple Tidbits
Craisins
Precooked Chicken
Bowtie Noodles
Cashews
Ranch Dressing Mix
Mayonnaise
Milk

How to Make Bowtie Pasta Salad with Ranch Dressing

The sweet and salty mix of flavors is just so good. You ready for the easy recipe?

the steps for how to make a ranch pasta salad in a collage image

Top Left - Cook, rinse and drain your pasta. Make sure you cook your noodles with plenty of salt.
Top Right - Wash and chop grapes and onions. Dice chicken into bite sized pieces. Add all ingredients into a large bowl.
Bottom Left - Toss all ingredients together.
Bottom Right - In a small bowl combine mayo, milk and ranch dressing mix and whisk to combine. Add dressing mix to salad to coat.

birds eye view of pasta salad in a small white ramekin

Serve and enjoy.

Bowtie Pasta Salad Recipe Tips

I like to use rotisserie chicken to make this ranch pasta salad recipe even quicker to throw together.
Start with about half of the dressing, then add in a little bit at a time until you reach desired coverage.
The great thing about pasta salad is that it is so adaptable. If you don't like craisins, leave them out. If you like bacon add some in. You really can't mess this recipe up.
Save leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for 7-10 days.

Bow Tie Chicken Pasta Salad FAQs

How long is bowtie pasta salad good for?

Bowtie pasta salad can typically be stored in the refrigerator for 3-5 days.

The exact shelf life depends on many factors such as the freshness of the ingredients used (especially the chicken!) and how well the salad is stored.

Do you rinse pasta for pasta salad?

Rinsing pasta under cold water after cooking can help stop the cooking process and cool down the pasta quickly, which is especially useful for pasta salads.

Rinsing can also remove extra starch from the pasta, preventing it from becoming too sticky.

Why is my pasta salad so bland?

The dressing is a key component of pasta salad and should be flavorful enough to coat all the ingredients evenly.

Why is my pasta salad not creamy?

Make sure you're using enough dressing to coat the pasta and other ingredients thoroughly.

Overcooked pasta can become mushy and absorb too much liquid, resulting in a dry or gooey texture. Cook the pasta just until al dente to prevent this.

ranch pasta salad in a long white bowl on a cement countertop

If you make this recipe and enjoy it we would love for you to leave us a positive comment and review, they mean so much to us.

ranch pasta salad in a white bowl with green and purple grapes

Bowtie Salad with Ranch Dressing

The best pasta salad you'll ever eat! Perfect for briging to barbeques or family parties, the perfect mix of sweet and salty will have everyone coming back for more.

5 from 10 votes

Print Pin Rate

Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 10

Chill Time: 2

Total Time: 2 20

Servings:

Calories: 352kcal

Author: Pretty Providence

Video

Ingredients

Pasta Salad

2 Cups Green Grapes
2 Cups Red Grapes
4 Green Onions Chopped
1 Can Pineapple Tidbits Any Size
8 Oz Craisins
3 Cups Cooked Chicken
16 Oz Package Bowtie Noodles Cooked
¾ Cup Cashews

Ranch Dressing

1 Packet Ranch Dressing Mix
¾ Cup Mayo
¼ Cup Milk

Instructions

Cook noodles, drain, rinse and set aside.
Slice grapes in half, and chop green onions.
In a small bowl, whisk together milk, mayo and ranch packet and set aside.
In a large bowl, combine all ingredients. Add dressing a bit at a time until salad is coated (you probably won't need it all).
Chill for a couple hours and serve!

Notes

I like to use rotisserie chicken to make this recipe even quicker to throw together.
Start with about half of the dressing, then add in a little bit at a time until you reach desired coverage.
The great thing about pasta salad is that it is so adaptable. If you don't like raisins, leave them out. If you like bacon add some in. You really can't mess this recipe up.
Save leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for 7-10 days.

If you love pasta salad recipes you will also love our yummy Italian Pasta Salad or our Easy Summer Pasta Salad recipe. Or you can find our entire Salad Recipe Gallery here.

Nutrition

Did you make this recipe?Mention @prettyprovidenceblog or tag #prettyprovidence!

pasta salad in a small white ramekin next to a white tea towel and a fork

I mean, is your mouth watering by now or what?! Give it a try, you won't regret it.

Also, if you need a delicious main dish to go with this amazing side you HAVE to check out our classic Chicken Schnitzel. It is unbelievably good.

xo,