Cilantro Ranch Pasta Salad

This pasta salad is light, flavorful, and totally delicious. It's easy to make ahead, and you'll want this cilantro ranch dressing on everything!

📝 Ingredients

• 1 pound bowtie pasta
• 8 ounces cherry or grape tomatoes (halved)
• 8 ounces cheddar cheese (cubed)
• 1 medium English cucumber (diced)
• 1/2 medium red onion (diced)
• 1 medium avocado (diced)
• 1/2 cup cooked and crumbled bacon
• 16 ounces green salsa
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 2 cups fresh cilantro leaves (loosely packed)
• 2 tablespoons lime juice (about 1 lime)
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon onion powder
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1Cook and drain pasta: Cook 1 pound bowtie pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse with cold water until pasta is cooled.
2. 2While pasta is cooking, halve 8 ounces cherry or grape tomatoes, cube 8 ounces cheddar cheese into small pieces, and dice 1 medium English cucumber, 1/2 medium red onion, and 1 medium avocado. Set aside.
3. 3Make dressing: In a blender, make your dressing by adding in 16 ounces green salsa, 1 cup mayonnaise, 2 cups fresh cilantro leaves, 2 tablespoons lime juice, 1 tablespoon garlic powder, 1 tablespoon onion powder, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon black pepper. Blend until smooth.
4. 4Mix dressing and toppings with pasta: In a large bowl, combine the pasta and the dressing together and stir until pasta is all coated in the sauce. Top with the prepared vegetables and 1/2 cup cooked and crumbled bacon.
5. 5Chill: Serve right away or cover and keep refrigerated until ready to serve.