Description
This festive cold pasta salad is packed with fun shapes, colorful veggies, and a creamy ranch dressing that kids love. Perfect for Halloween parties or any kid-focused event, it’s easy to customize and make ahead for stress-free entertaining.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz rotini or bow-tie pasta (Halloween shapes if available)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- 3/4 cup baby carrots, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup red or yellow bell pepper, cut into strips
- 1/2 cup black olives, sliced
- 1/2 cup mini mozzarella balls
- 1/4 cup dill pickles, chopped (optional)
- 1/2 cup frozen peas, thawed
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley or basil (optional)
- 1/2 cup ranch dressing
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise (or Greek yogurt for lighter version)
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package instructions (8-10 minutes) until al dente, stirring occasionally.
- Drain pasta in a colander and rinse under cold water until completely cool. Shake off excess water.
- While pasta cooks, chop cherry tomatoes, cucumber, baby carrots, bell pepper, and pickles. Slice black olives. Halve mozzarella balls if desired. Thaw peas under warm water.
- In a small bowl, whisk together ranch dressing, mayonnaise, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Add cooled pasta to a large mixing bowl. Toss in all chopped veggies, olives, mozzarella balls, peas, and herbs if using.
- Pour dressing over salad and gently mix until everything is coated.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to let flavors blend and keep salad cold.
- If making ahead, wait to add mozzarella balls and fresh herbs until just before serving for best texture.
Notes
For best results, use pasta shapes with lots of nooks and crannies to hold the dressing. Customize veggies and cheese based on preferences or allergies. Gluten-free pasta and vegan cheese work well for dietary needs. Chill salad before serving for optimal flavor and texture. If salad seems dry after chilling, add a spoonful of dressing and toss again.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1 cup (150 g) per serving
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 5
- Sodium: 400
- Fat: 9
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Carbohydrates: 27
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 7
Keywords: kid friendly, pasta salad, Halloween, party food, cold salad, easy recipe, ranch dressing, vegetarian, customizable, make ahead