Zesty Ranch Bowtie Pasta Delight
This vibrant Zesty Ranch Bowtie Pasta Delight is a refreshing and crunchy side dish perfect for summer barbecues, picnics, or potlucks. The colorful tri-color bow tie pasta is tossed with a medley of fresh vegetables, creamy ranch dressing, and finished off with a delightful crunch from Cool Ranch Doritos. Bursting with flavor and texture, this pasta salad is sure to be a hit at any gathering. Enjoy it chilled for a satisfying treat that combines the creaminess of sour cream with the savory tang of ranch seasoning.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
tri-color bow tie pasta
1 lb (cooked according to package directions)
cheddar cheese
1 cup (cubed)
cucumber
1 (cubed)
tomatoes
1 (chopped)
sliced olives
1/2 cup
red pepper
1 (diced)
green pepper
1 (diced)
onion
1 small (minced)
ranch dressing mix
1 one-ounce package
sour cream
1 cup
Cool Ranch Doritos
1 (10 ounce) bag (crushed)
Instructions
1
Begin by cooking the tri-color bow tie pasta according to package directions. Once cooked, drain it in a colander and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. Allow the pasta to cool completely.
2
While the pasta is cooling, prepare your fresh vegetables by chopping the cucumber, tomatoes, red and green peppers, and mincing the onion. Set aside.
3
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta with the prepared vegetables, cubed cheddar cheese, and sliced olives. Gently toss to combine all ingredients evenly.
4
In a separate bowl, mix together the minced onion, ranch dressing mix, and sour cream until smooth and well blended.
5
Pour the ranch and sour cream mixture over the pasta salad, gently folding to ensure all the ingredients are coated evenly with the dressing.
6
Cover the bowl and refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld. Before serving, give it a quick toss and top with crushed Cool Ranch Doritos for an added crunch and flavor.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Zesty Ranch Bowtie Pasta Delight?
It is a refreshing and crunchy pasta salad made with tri-color bow tie pasta, fresh vegetables, a creamy ranch dressing, and topped with Cool Ranch Doritos.
What type of pasta is required for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 1 lb of tri-color bow tie pasta cooked according to package directions.
How should the pasta be treated after cooking?
Once cooked, it should be drained in a colander and rinsed under cold water to stop the cooking process and allowed to cool completely.
What kind of cheese is used in this pasta salad?
The recipe uses 1 cup of cubed cheddar cheese.
What vegetables are included in the mix?
The salad includes cucumber, tomatoes, red pepper, green pepper, and minced onion.
How should the cucumber be prepared?
One cucumber should be cubed before being added to the salad.
Are olives used in this recipe?
Yes, 1/2 cup of sliced olives is included in the mixture.
What is the base of the dressing?
The dressing is made from a combination of 1 cup of sour cream and one 1-ounce package of ranch dressing mix.
When do you add the minced onion?
The minced onion is mixed together with the ranch dressing mix and sour cream before being added to the pasta.
How do I combine the dressing with the pasta?
Pour the ranch and sour cream mixture over the pasta and vegetables, then gently fold to ensure everything is coated evenly.
Does the salad need to be chilled before serving?
Yes, the salad should be covered and refrigerated for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
What provides the crunch in this recipe?
Crushed Cool Ranch Doritos are added as a topping just before serving for a delightful crunch.
How many Cool Ranch Doritos are needed?
One 10-ounce bag of Cool Ranch Doritos is used.
Can I add the Doritos ahead of time?
It is recommended to add the crushed Doritos just before serving to prevent them from becoming soggy.
Is this dish suitable for outdoor events?
Yes, it is described as a perfect side dish for summer barbecues, picnics, or potlucks.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 11 ingredients in total.
Can I use a different type of pepper?
The recipe specifies red and green peppers, but you can use any variety of bell peppers.
What is the texture of the Zesty Ranch Bowtie Pasta Delight?
The salad offers a mix of textures: soft pasta, creamy dressing, crisp vegetables, and crunchy chips.
How should the peppers be prepared?
Both the red and green peppers should be diced.
What is the purpose of rinsing the pasta in cold water?
Rinsing in cold water stops the cooking process and ensures the pasta is cool enough to mix with the sour cream dressing without melting it.
Is this recipe vegetarian?
Yes, this recipe is vegetarian as it contains no meat.
How is the onion prepared?
One small onion should be finely minced.
Can I use different flavors of Doritos?
While the recipe specifies Cool Ranch, you could experiment with other flavors if preferred.
How should the cheddar cheese be cut?
The recipe specifically calls for the cheddar cheese to be cubed.
Is there any sugar in this recipe?
The nutrition data provided lists sugar as null, but there may be trace amounts depending on the specific ingredients used.
What kind of ranch mix should I buy?
A standard one-ounce package of dry ranch dressing mix is recommended.
How are the tomatoes chopped?
One tomato should be chopped into bite-sized pieces.
What size onion is required?
A small onion is sufficient for this recipe.
Can I use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream?
While the recipe calls for sour cream, Greek yogurt is a common substitute that would work well with the ranch mix.
What makes the salad 'zesty'?
The combination of ranch seasoning, fresh peppers, and the flavored Doritos creates the zesty profile.