Description
A delicious and hearty pasta salad featuring tender rotini pasta, seasoned ground beef, fresh vegetables, and creamy ranch dressing. Perfect for family dinners or meal prep.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz Rotini pasta
- 1 lb Lean ground beef
- 1 cup Ranch dressing
- 1 cup Cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 medium Cucumber, diced
- 1/2 medium Red onion, chopped
- 1 cup Sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/4 cup Fresh parsley or dill, chopped
Instructions
- Step 1: Cook Pasta – Cook rotini pasta in salted boiling water until al dente according to package instructions. Drain and set aside to cool slightly.
- Step 2: Brown Beef – In a skillet over medium heat, brown ground beef until fully cooked and no pink remains. Drain excess fat thoroughly.
- Step 3: Prepare Vegetables – While beef cooks, chop cherry tomatoes in half, dice cucumber, finely chop red onion, and chop fresh herbs.
- Step 4: Combine Ingredients – In large bowl, combine cooked pasta, browned beef, chopped vegetables, shredded cheese, and ranch dressing. Mix well until evenly coated.
- Step 5: Chill and Serve – Refrigerate for at least one hour before serving to allow flavors to meld and develop properly.
Notes
- Rinse cooked pasta with cold water to stop cooking process and prevent it from becoming mushy when mixed.
- Let beef cool slightly before mixing to prevent wilting the fresh vegetables and melting cheese too quickly.
- Add ranch dressing gradually while mixing to ensure even coating without making the dish too wet.
- This pasta salad can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and makes excellent leftovers for lunch.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 685 calories
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 920mg
- Fat: 38g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 26g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
Keywords: creamy ranch beef pasta, pasta salad, ground beef recipe, ranch pasta, easy dinner, meal prep