Description
This Creamy Ranch Pea Pasta Salad showcases delightful flavors with fresh peas, sharp cheddar, and a creamy dressing, making it a fantastic choice for quick meals or 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 package (0.4 ounces) dry restaurant-style ranch dressing mix
- 1/4 cup sunflower kernels
- 1/4 cup diced celery
Instructions
- Start by adding the thawed peas to a large mixing bowl.
- Cook the pasta in boiling salted water until tender, which takes about 12 minutes.
- Drain the pasta and rinse it under cold water.
- In the large bowl, combine the cold peas with the cold pasta.
- Add in the shredded cheddar cheese and mix gently.
- In another bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, onion powder, garlic powder, yellow mustard, and dry ranch dressing mix to create the dressing.
- Pour the dressing over the peas, pasta, and cheese mixture; stir gently until everything is well combined.
- Finally, fold in the sunflower kernels and diced celery.
- Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving to enhance the flavor.
Notes
For the best flavor, allow the salad to chill for at least an hour before serving.
Feel free to customize the salad by adding other vegetables or proteins like chicken or ham.
This salad can be made a day in advance for convenience.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 348
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 31g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 10mg