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Vegan pasta salad with fresh, crunchy veggies and a creamy mayo-based ranch dressing.
Vegan Ranch Pasta Salad
Quote me: The best kind of salad is the kind with pasta in it.
This vegan ranch pasta salad has all the goods: rotini pasta, homemade vegan ranch, raw broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, and cucumbers. Exploding with creamy flavor, varying texture with the soft noodles and crunchy veggies, and super easy to make.
I could and have eaten this as a straight up meal. Sides make the best meals (like mashed potatoes). It has vegetables, so I think we’re good, right?
You can find the homemade vegan ranch recipe here. If you’re just interested in making this recipe the easiest way possible, there are some good vegan ranch dressings on the market, like Just Ranch – which I find at Kroger and Walmart. Homemade ranch is unbeatable though. It’s one of the most popular recipes here on the blog!
Melissa, a reader here, commented on that ranch recipe and said, “WOW! Best ranch recipe ever! Vegan or not this is sooo good! I’ve never been a big fan of ranch but this recipe has made a fan outta me! Thank you!!”
^^ You heard her! 😉
Non-vegans will not even be able to tell this is a vegan pasta salad. Bring it to a potluck, and BBQ bash, alongside any of these vegan grilling recipes, serve it at a birthday party…everyone will be pleased.
More Vegan Side Dishes
I remember my mom always making pasta salad during the summer time. In fact, she still does, I’m just too far away to enjoy it! She typically uses an Italian dressing for hers (which is still heavenly, by the way!)
I talked to her on the phone the other day and told her I was making a version for my blog, and she gave me a tip: Leave the cucumber skin on and the cucumber won’t get mushy. Genius. Thanks, Mom!
As a kid, I hated cooking. Domestic stuff was painful for me to even think about. I never, ever thought I would grow up to be a food blogger and therefore practically live in the kitchen. It’s kind of a running joke in my family.
You can prep this salad a day ahead of time, but I would recommend waiting to mix in the ranch until serving time. Otherwise, you risk the veggies becoming a little soft and the pasta sucking up some of that dressing.
This makes a HUGE batch (we are using a whole box of pasta and 4 cups of veggies here!) and should serve 8-10 people as a side dish. Unless I’m there, then more like 3 people, let’s be real. 😂
Note: This dish can be made gluten-free if you use gluten-free pasta. Banza chickpea pasta is really tasty.
If you make this recipe, tag me on Instagram @karissasvegankitchen and use the hashtag #karissasvegankitchen. I love seeing what you guys are up to.
Vegan Pasta Salad: Step by Step Video
Vegan Ranch Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 1 to 1.5 cup vegan ranch - prep ahead
- 1 16oz box rotini pasta - or pasta of choice
- 1 cup fresh broccoli florets - cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup fresh cauliflower - cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup sliced carrots
- 1 cup chopped cucumber
Instructions
- Boil the pasta according to package instructions.
- In the meantime, prep the veggies.
- Let the pasta cool. Toss with the veggies and ranch until mixed well.
- Serve cold.
Elizabeth says
Had to come by and drop a comment. Holy cannoli this stuff is tasty. I used to eat the heck outta that suddenly salad ranch pasta kit before I was Vegan, and this stuff is way tastier. I made a double batch for a vegan potluck, and it was a hit. I used frozen peas, shredded carrots, and topped it with chives and halved cherry tomatoes. Your ranch dressing recipe is spot on. Thank you for taking the time to develop it.
Kimberly Baxter says
Made this tonite and was delish! Thanks for sharing!