Ranch Pasta

If you like to dip your pizza in ranch dressing, wait until you see what this creamy condiment can do for pasta. Ranch pasta is about to become your new go-to for dinner. It’s the perfect blend of creamy and cheesy goodness with a tangy twist from ranch dressing. All this is topped with crispy, golden breadcrumbs. It’s simple ingredients and big flavor comes together quickly and delivers all the cozy vibes of the best comfort food.

 Ingredients for Ranch Pasta

• Bow tie pasta: This serves as the base of the dish, providing texture and bulk that absorbs the creamy sauce.
• Shredded Italian cheese blend: The cheese blend melts into the pasta, creating a rich and savory layer of flavor.
• Grated Parmesan cheese: Parmesan adds a salty, umami taste and helps create a crispy topping when baked.
• Sour cream: This rich dairy product brings creaminess to the sauce while adding a tangy flavor base for the ranch flavors.
• Ranch salad dressing: This provides the signature flavor of the dish, delivering a creamy, herby tang that complements the pasta. Use homemade ranch dressing or your favorite brand.
• Frozen chopped spinach: Spinach adds color, nutrients and a slight bitterness that balances the richness of the cheese and cream.
• French bread: Once it’s made into crumbs, crusty bread creates a crunchy topping that contrasts with the soft pasta underneath.
• Olive oil: This helps the bread crumbs brown and crispy while adding a slightly fruity flavor. Use regular or extra-virgin olive oil.
• Lemon zest: It adds a fresh, bright note to the topping, cutting through the richness of the dish.
• Dried parsley flakes: Parsley provides a mild herbaceous flavor that enhances the ranch dressing’s herbal notes.
• Garlic salt: This contributes a savory depth and ensures the topping has a touch of garlic flavor throughout.

Directions

Step 1: Cook the pasta

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Cook the bow tie pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to the package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta well and set it aside.

Step 2: Make the cheese sauce

In a large bowl, mix the Italian cheese blend, one cup of Parmesan cheese, sour cream and ranch salad dressing until thoroughly combined. Add the drained pasta to the cheese mixture and gently fold until the pasta is evenly coated. Stir in the thawed or fresh spinach. Transfer the pasta mixture to a greased 13×9-inch baking dish. Spread it out evenly.

Step 3: Prepare the breadcrumb topping

Tear the day-old French bread into pieces and place them in a food processor. Pulse the bread until crumbs form. In a small bowl, toss the bread crumbs with olive oil, lemon zest, dried parsley, garlic salt and the remaining 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese until the crumbs are evenly coated.

Step 4: Bake the pasta

Sprinkle the prepared breadcrumb mixture evenly over the top of the pasta. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Uncover the dish and bake for an additional five to ten minutes until the topping is golden brown and the pasta is bubbly. Serve warm.

Ranch Pasta Variations

• Add grilled chicken: Stir in bite-sized pieces of grilled chicken for added protein and a smoky flavor.
• Incorporate bacon: Mix in crispy crumbled bacon to give the dish a savory and smoky kick.
• Try different greens: Replace the spinach with kale or arugula for a slightly different texture and flavor.
• Make it veggie-loaded: Toss in roasted vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini or cherry tomatoes for a more colorful, nutrient-packed dish.
• Use different cheese: Swap out the Italian cheese blend for sharp cheddar or Monterey Jack to change up the flavor profile.
• Swap in blue cheese dressing: Replace the ranch dressing with blue cheese dressing for a bold and tangy twist that adds a creamy, pungent flavor to the pasta.

How to Store Ranch Pasta

Let the ranch pasta cool completely and then transfer it to an airtight container. It will keep well in the refrigerator for three to four days. When ready to reheat, bake it in a covered dish at 350° for about 15 to 20 minutes until warmed through or microwave individual portions for a quick meal.

Can you freeze ranch pasta?

Yes, you can freeze ranch pasta! Assemble the dish but hold off on baking it. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for up to three months. Thaw it in the fridge overnight and bake as directed, adding a few extra minutes if needed to heat through, when ready to serve.

Can you make ranch pasta ahead of time?

Ranch pasta is great for making ahead! Prepare and assemble the dish up to one day in advance. Cover it tightly and refrigerate until you’re ready to bake. When you’re ready to serve it, simply pop it in the oven and bake as directed.

Ranch Pasta Tips

Can I use a different type of pasta in ranch pasta?

Yes, you can use different types of pasta if you don’t have bow tie pasta. Shapes like penne, rotini or rigatoni work well because they hold onto the creamy sauce and mix well with the other ingredients. Just be sure to cook the pasta al dente so it doesn’t become mushy when baked.

Can I make ranch pasta lighter?

To make a lighter version of ranch pasta use reduced-fat sour cream, low-fat cheese and a lighter ranch dressing. You can also bulk up the dish by adding more vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower or zucchini to cut down on the amount of pasta per serving.

Can I make ranch pasta gluten-free?

Yes, you can easily make ranch pasta gluten-free! Simply use gluten-free pasta and replace the French bread crumbs with gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed gluten-free crackers. Be sure to check that all other ingredients, like the ranch dressing are also labeled gluten-free to avoid any hidden sources of gluten.