Monday, September 6, 2010

The Ranch Pasta - Literally!


Today I spent a great day, resting - which I never do and once again making my pasta!  This is one of my youngest girls favorite sides that I make.  It's fast and easy...and since I discovered Ranch Dressing in the economy size at my nearby Sam's Club....it's even better than easy.  Also...don't discount your store brand take-off Ranch Dressing mixes because they are good as well.  Today was my husbands birthday and friends invited us to their place to celebrate it with them, as they were also celebrating a birthday as well. What a great day!  Thanks the Hayes family!

The Ranch Pasta!

2 packages pasta (any style shells will do)
1/2 cup REAL Mayonnaise
1/2 cup sour cream
1 package Ranch Dressing powdered mix
1 cup cubed sharp cheddar or jalapeno cheese
garlic salt to taste (optional)

Bring water to boil and add pasta.  Boil until pasta is done.  My check for pasta being cooked, is if it forks easily in half, then it is done.  Drain in a colander and cool with running water.  Use a spoon to stir pasta gently around in order to stop cooking process as the cool water runs over it.   Allow pasta to drain well as you complete the next step.  In a mixing bowl, add REAL mayonnaise and sour cream to the Ranch Dressing mix.  Add pasta to Ranch Dressing mixture, stirring to blend.  Add cheese to this and season with garlic salt.  Transfer to another bowl and chill in the refrigerator.  This is always better after it has been allowed to sit in the fridge at least a day. 

You can also add chopped olives, ham, turkey, canadian bacon, real bacon bits, tomatoes, sweet Texas A&M 1015 onions or red onions, and sweet corn to this to add some variety.  You can also squeeze one lemon over the ranch dressing mixture to add a little extra flavor.

Get cooking! 

Alise

1 comment:

Kay Brasher said...

Alise, I love your site and all the interesting stories to go with it! You are really creative! Love all your recipes, too!