Description
A vibrant and refreshing pasta salad packed with juicy cherry tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, and a creamy ranch dressing for a perfect summer dish.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces rotini pasta
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- 1 bell pepper, chopped
- 1 cup corn (fresh, frozen, or canned)
- 1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 cup cooked lean protein (chicken, turkey, or tofu)
- 1/2 cup ranch dressing
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh cilantro or parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Begin by cooking the rotini pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse it under cold water to cool it down and stop the cooking process.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta with cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, chopped bell pepper, corn, black beans, and your choice of cooked protein.
- Drizzle the ranch dressing over the salad and toss everything gently to combine, ensuring each ingredient is coated evenly.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste—remember, a little goes a long way!
- For a touch of freshness and color, garnish with chopped cilantro or parsley before serving.
- You can serve immediately or refrigerate for up to an hour to allow the flavors to meld beautifully. Enjoy it cold or at room temperature for the perfect dish on a hot day!
Notes
Make-ahead Tips: Prepare the salad the night before for an even richer flavor. Just hold off on adding the dressing until serving time to keep the vegetables fresh.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 7g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 30mg