Name: Creamy Cilantro Ranch Pasta Salad
Prep time: 8 min
Total time: 8 min
Yield: 8 for a side dish
Ingredients: 1 pound of pasta (I used bow tie) cooked to al dente, drained and cooled; 1 cup of fresh corn kernels; 1 can of black beans, rinsed and drained; 1 pint of cherry tomatoes, halved; 1 red onion, chopped; about 8 pieces of crispy bacon, crumbled; about 1 cup or so of your favorite Ranch dressing; a big handful of fresh cilantro, reserving a little bit for garnish; a pinch of both salt and pepper; cubed feta cheese to garnish

Description

A creamy pasta salad recipe packed with flavor in every bite! You can add as much or as little of each ingredient as you like. It’s a pasta salad, so go crazy with what you love!

Scale

Ingredients

1 pound of pasta (I used bow tie) cooked to al dente, drained and cooled
1 cup of fresh corn kernels
1 can of black beans, rinsed and drained
1 pint of cherry tomatoes, halved
1 red onion, chopped
about 8 pieces of crispy bacon, crumbled
about 1 cup or so of your favorite Ranch dressing
a big handful of fresh cilantro, reserving a little bit for garnish
a pinch of both salt and pepper
cubed feta cheese to garnish

Instructions

In a big bowl, add in your first six ingredients. (Make sure your pasta has been cooled with running water and then drained completely.) Set aside.
In a food processor or blender, add in your ranch dressing and cilantro and blend just a second until they’re creamy together.
Pour this creamy cilantro mixture all over your pasta salad ingredients in the bowl and toss together. Next, stir in just a pinch of both salt and pepper and your reserved cilantro. Finally, stir in your cubed feta cheese.
Pop this pasta salad in the fridge to chill at least one hour up to 24.

Remove, serve and enjoy!

Notes

To cut down on your prep time, use precooked bacon, leftover bacon or bacon bits.