Chilled Rainbow Pasta Salad Delight
Bright, vibrant, and refreshingly delicious, this Chilled Rainbow Pasta Salad Delight is the perfect addition to any gathering. With its eye-catching medley of colors from the rotini pasta and fresh vegetables, it’s sure to impress your guests. The creamy dressing harmoniously mixes with the hearty ingredients, and the subtle crunch of bell peppers and peas adds texture. This dish can be customized easily—feel free to add your favorite proteins or veggies. Prepare ahead of time and let it chill for at least four hours to allow the flavors to meld together beautifully. Serve it as a side or a light main dish on a warm day!
6-8 servings
Servings
225
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
coloured rotini pasta
6 cups (cooked, drained, and rinsed under cold water)
chopped cooked ham
1 1/2 cups
red bell pepper
1 small (seeded and chopped)
yellow bell pepper
1 small (seeded and chopped)
plum tomato
1 large (chopped)
red onion
1 small (chopped)
frozen peas
3/4 cup (thawed)
crumbled blue cheese
1/2 cup
mayonnaise
1 1/2 cups
prepared Hidden Valley® Original Ranch® Dressing
1/4 cup
red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons
seasoning salt
1 teaspoon
minced fresh garlic
2 teaspoons
fresh ground black pepper
to taste
salt
to taste if needed
Instructions
1
In a large glass bowl, combine the cooked and rinsed coloured rotini pasta, chopped cooked ham, diced red and yellow bell peppers, chopped plum tomato, chopped red onion, thawed peas, and crumbled blue cheese (or your preferred cheese).
2
In a separate small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Hidden Valley® Original Ranch® Dressing, red wine vinegar, seasoning salt, minced garlic, black pepper, and any additional salt you may desire until smooth and well combined.
3
Pour the dressing mixture over the pasta salad and gently toss until all the ingredients are evenly coated.
4
Taste and adjust the seasoning, adding more black pepper or salt as desired.
5
If the salad appears too dry, stir in additional mayonnaise, a tablespoon at a time until reaching your preferred creaminess.
6
Cover the salad with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate for a minimum of 4 hours, allowing the flavors to meld together before serving.
Nutrition Information
11g
Fat
25g
Carbs
10g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Chilled Rainbow Pasta Salad Delight?
It is a bright, vibrant, and creamy pasta salad made with rotini, fresh vegetables, and a ranch-based dressing.
What type of pasta is best for this recipe?
The recipe specifically calls for 6 cups of coloured rotini pasta to provide the 'rainbow' appearance.
How long should the pasta salad chill before serving?
For the best flavor, the salad should be refrigerated for a minimum of 4 hours to allow the flavors to meld together.
What are the primary vegetables in this salad?
The salad includes red and yellow bell peppers, plum tomato, red onion, and thawed frozen peas.
Can I use a different type of cheese?
Yes, while the recipe suggests 1/2 cup of crumbled blue cheese, you can substitute it with your preferred cheese.
What is the base of the dressing?
The dressing is a smooth mixture of mayonnaise and Hidden Valley Original Ranch Dressing.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe makes approximately 6 to 8 servings.
Is there a protein source in this salad?
Yes, the recipe includes 1 1/2 cups of chopped cooked ham.
What should I do if the salad is too dry after mixing?
If the salad appears dry, you can stir in additional mayonnaise one tablespoon at a time until you reach your desired creaminess.
How do I prepare the pasta for the salad?
The pasta should be cooked, drained, and then rinsed under cold water before being added to the salad.
How many calories are in one serving?
Each serving contains approximately 225 calories.
What are the fat and protein contents?
One serving has 11g of fat and 10g of protein.
Can I add extra seasoning?
Yes, you can adjust the seasoning with additional black pepper or salt to taste after the initial mixing.
What type of vinegar is used in the dressing?
The recipe uses 2 tablespoons of red wine vinegar.
Does this recipe use fresh or powdered garlic?
It calls for 2 teaspoons of minced fresh garlic for the best flavor.
How should the bell peppers be prepared?
You should use one small red and one small yellow bell pepper, both seeded and chopped.
Are the peas cooked before adding to the salad?
The peas should be frozen peas that have been thawed before being added to the mix.
What kind of onion is recommended?
One small red onion, chopped, is used for its flavor and color.
What type of tomato works best?
The recipe recommends using one large plum tomato, chopped.
How much mayonnaise is required for the dressing?
The base dressing requires 1 1/2 cups of mayonnaise.
What specific Ranch dressing is suggested?
The recipe specifically mentions Hidden Valley Original Ranch Dressing.
Is this a good make-ahead dish?
Yes, it is designed to be prepared ahead of time and chilled for several hours.
What are the total carbohydrates per serving?
There are 25g of carbohydrates per serving.
Can I customize the ingredients?
Absolutely. You can easily add your favorite proteins or different vegetables to suit your preference.
How much seasoning salt is used?
The recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of seasoning salt.
How should I store the salad?
Cover the salad with plastic wrap or a lid and keep it refrigerated.
Is this dish served as a main or a side?
It can be served as a side dish or a light main dish, especially on warm days.
How many total ingredients are in the recipe?
There are 15 ingredients in total.
What is the texture of the salad?
The salad is creamy with a subtle crunch from the bell peppers and peas.
What kind of bowl should I use for mixing?
A large glass bowl is recommended for combining all the ingredients.