Dairy Free Ranch Pasta Salad
Classic ranch dressing is almost always built on buttermilk and sour cream, which makes it a no-go for anyone avoiding dairy — but this version cracks the code without sacrificing that cool, herby flavor you're after. The dressing comes together with vegan mayonnaise, a splash of dairy-free milk, and apple cider vinegar as the tangy backbone, then gets layered with garlic powder, onion powder, dried dill, parsley, and chives for that unmistakable ranch taste. Tossed with rotini, halved cherry tomatoes, crisp cucumber, red bell pepper, red onion, and briny black olives, every forkful is loaded with color and crunch. The trick is letting it chill for at least 30 minutes so the pasta soaks up the dressing and everything melds into something that tastes like it's been marinating all day. A finishing scatter of fresh dill takes it from good to genuinely impressive. This makes six generous servings, so it's an ideal dish to bring to a cookout, potluck, or meal-prep Sunday when you need something crowd-pleasing and fuss-free.
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Learn more →Ingredients
6 servings
For the salad
- 12 oz rotini or penne pasta
- 1 tbsp salt
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- ½ cup red bell pepper, diced
- ⅓ cup red onion, finely diced
- ½ cup black olives, sliced
For the ranch dressing
- ¾ cup vegan mayonnaise
- 3 tbsp dairy free milk
Chef's tipUse plain, unsweetened oat milk, measured 1:1. It works well in drinks, batters, sauces, and soups; avoid it where milk sets the texture, like custards, puddings, and frozen desserts. - 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp dried dill
- ½ tsp dried parsley
- ½ tsp dried chives
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
For serving
- 2 tbsp fresh dill, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Add 1 tbsp salt, then add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente, tender with a slight resistance at the center, about 8–10 minutes.
- 2
Drain the pasta in a colander and rinse under cold running water until completely cool. Shake off excess water and transfer to a large mixing bowl.
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