Creamy Tortellini Salad with Ranch Dressing
This creamy tortellini salad with ranch dressing is loaded with big bites of cheddar cheese, pieces of crumbled bacon, and cheese tortellini for a pasta salad recipe that's anything but ordinary. A handful of ingredients and a quick 20 minutes and this cold tortellini salad is ready to go!
Servings: 8
Calories: 324kcal
Ingredients
- 1 20 oz package refrigerated cheese tortellini
- 1 8 oz block of sharp cheddar cheese cubed
- 1 lb thick cut bacon cooked crisp & roughly chopped
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 1/2 tbsp Ranch dressing mix
- 3 tbsp buttermilk
Instructions
- Cook the tortellini according to the package instructions. Strain, and run under cold water gently tossing until cool to the touch. Set aside.1 20 oz package refrigerated cheese tortellini
- In a small mixing bowl, add the sour cream, mayo, Ranch mix, and buttermilk. Whisk together until the sauce is smooth.1/2 cup sour cream, 1/4 cup mayonnaise, 1 1/2 tbsp Ranch dressing mix, 3 tbsp buttermilk
- Transfer the tortellini to a serving bowl. Add the sauce, stirring until the pasta's evenly coated.
- Add in the bacon & cheese, tossing until evenly combined.1 8 oz block of sharp cheddar cheese, 1 lb thick cut bacon
- Serve immediately, or cover & refrigerate a couple hours until the pasta salad's chilled through.
Notes
- No tortellini? Small, cheese ravioli or plain pasta both work in a pinch.
- If you use plain pasta, the dressing will seem a bit thinner. It will look thin initially regardless, but it thickens considerably when chilled.
- If you don’t want to take the time to whip up your own homemade ranch dressing, you can sub store bought. However, don’t go for the cheap stuff on the shelves in the condiment aisle. Go for a quality dressing, preferably one of the ones in the refrigerator of the produce aisle.
- This pasta salad is written to be served immediately, so not super cold but also not warm. However, if chilled pasta salads are more your thing, then cover tightly and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.
- To make ahead of time, make the tortellini salad as written with one exception. Don’t add the bacon in until just before serving. You want it to be crisp when eaten, not soggy.
Nutrition
Calories: 324kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 31g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 49mg | Sodium: 649mg | Potassium: 140mg | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 120IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 25mg | Iron: 0.3mg