Cobb Pasta Salad with Buttermilk Ranch Dressing

Cobb Pasta Salad with Buttermilk Ranch Dressing is a fun change from a classic cobb green salad. The addition of pasta makes it hearty and the perfect dish to share at any spring or summer gathering.

For a classic pasta salad experience try my Pasta Salad with Homemade Italian Dressing. You’ll never want to buy bottled dressing again!

Care To Share?

Why You’ll Love Cobb Pasta Salad with Buttermilk Ranch Dressing

This cobb salad features rotini pasta, smoky ham, tomatoes, hard boiled eggs, cheese, and a simple creamy ranch dressing. The perfect marriage of flavors and textures.

I’ll never forget when I was about 12 years old I stayed home from school because “I wasn’t feeling well”. At least that’s what I told my mom. I figured my day would be spent in my room because after all, if you tell your parents you don’t feel good enough for school, then you must not feel good enough for any fun.

To my surprise, my mom came to my bedroom door to tell me she had made lunch for us. We were the only ones home that day and when I walked into the kitchen she had made us both the most beautiful Cobb salads I had ever seen!

It was such a special moment where my mom took advantage of her only daughter home with her, without the three older brothers, to tell me how much she loved me. I’ll never forget that. I truly felt like a queen!

When I think of cob salads that memory always pops in my mind and warms my heart. Thank you mom.

This Cobb Pasta Salad is a really fun twist on the classic you’ll be sure to want to make over and over again. It checks all the boxes for a satisfying pasta salad but it’s just different enough to raise curiosity. This makes a great side dish, lunch prep for the week, or sharing at your next potluck or gathering. Everyone will find it irresistible.

I hope you enjoy.

Key Ingredients

What you’ll need for this Cobb Pasta Salad. You can find all the measurements in the recipe card below.

• Creamy dressing- Mayo, sour cream, buttermilk, white vinegar, fresh dill and parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper.
• Pasta- You can really use any medium shape pasta. I chose rotini because the ridges capture the creamy dressing.
• Ham- This is great recipe for using leftover ham. Use shredded or cubed.
• Tomatoes- I like to use cherry tomatoes for a sweeter pop of flavor.
• Avocado- You’ll want to pick an avocado that is slightly firmer so it holds up well in the salad.
• Eggs- I use two hard boiled eggs for this recipe and it’s the perfect amount.
• Green onions- Adds freshness and a subtle onion flavor without overpowering the pasta salad.
• Cheese- What is a pasta salad without cheese? I chose to use cheddar cheese cubes over classic blue cheese so everyone can enjoy the salad, including kids.

Add-Ins or Substitutions

Step By Step Directions

See full instructions in recipe card below

• Step One. Cook pasta according to the package directions for al dente.
• Step Two. Meanwhile, combine all the dressing ingredients in small bowl.
• Step Three. Combine the dressing with the pasta then gently fold in ham, tomatoes, cheese, and green onions. Garnish with hard boiled eggs and avocado.

Tips

Common Questions

More Pasta Salads To Enjoy

• Creamy Pesto Pasta Salad
• Bacon and Pea Pasta Salad
• Coleslaw Pasta Salad
• Green Goddess Chicken Pasta Salad
• Spring Pasta Salad with Asparagus

Cobb Pasta Salad with Buttermilk Ranch Dressing

Cobb Pasta Salad with Buttermilk Ranch Dressing is a fun change from a classic Cobb green salad. The addition of pasta makes it hearty and the perfect dish to share at any spring or summer gathering.

Print Pin Rate

Course: Lunch, Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes minutes

Servings: 6 servings

Calories: 634kcal

Equipment

• 1 large pot to cook the pasta
• 1 small pot to cook the eggs
• 1 large bowl for serving salad
• 1 small bowl for mixing dressing

Ingredients

For The Pasta Salad

• 1 pound rotini pasta, cooked until al' dente, then drained and rinsed
• 2 hard boiled eggs, roughly chopped see notes for cooking method
• 1 1/2 cups diced ham
• 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 medium avocado, diced
• 1 cup cheddar cheese cubes
• 1/4 cup green onion slices

Ranch Dressing

• 1/2 cup mayo
• 4 tbsp sour cream
• 6 tbsp low-fat buttermilk
• 2 tsp white wine vinegar
• 1 tbsp fresh chopped dill
• 2 tbsp fresh chopped parsley
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder, or to taste
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt
• 1 tsp black pepper

Instructions

• In a small bowl combine the dressing ingredients until smooth and set aside.
• Place the cooked pasta in a large bowl and toss with the dressing.
• Next add in ham, tomatoes, cheddar cheese, and green onions. Toss gently to combine with the pasta.
• Top the salad with hard boiled eggs and avocado. Serve right away or cover and place in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

Notes

Tips

• Cook pasta only until al dente. The pasta will continue to soften once the dressing is added and it soaks in some of the sauce. Overcooking the pasta will likely make your pasta break into pieces when you stir it all together.
• Combine the dressing with the pasta first. This will ensure all the pasta gets well coated with the dressing before adding the other ingredients.
• Make sure pasta is cool before adding dressing and ingredients. If the pasta is warm when you add the dressing it won’t be as creamy after it sets, plus, you don’t want the heat of the pasta to warm the fresh ingredients like cheese and tomatoes. 

 

Substitutions and Additions

• Meat- You can swap out the ham or in addition to, add cubed turkey, chicken, or crisp bacon pieces.
• Cheese- Add blue cheese crumbles for a classic Cobb salad experience, or use Colby Jack, or even pepper Jack for a little kick.
• Gluten-free pasta– Swap out regular pasta for your favorite GF brand.
• Dairy free- I have not tested this recipe with dairy free products but feel free to experiment and make the dressing your own.

 

How To Prepare Hard Boiled Eggs

• Bring a pot of water (enough to cover the eggs) to a medium boil. Gently add room temperature eggs one at a time. Bring back to a medium boil and allow to cook 10-11 minutes. Transfer eggs directly to a large bowl with ice water and allow to cool. Peel and discover the perfect hard boiled egg for salads. 

 

Common Questions 

How far in advance can I make this pasta salad?

If you are serving this at a gathering you’ll want to prepare no earlier than 2 hours before so the dressing stays nice and creamy. The longer it sets the more the pasta absorbs the dressing. Although you could set some of the dressing aside and just add to it.

How long does cob pasta salad last?

This will stay fresh in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up 4 days.

What goes well with cob pasta salad?

Cobb pasta salad can be a meal on its own. However, grilled chicken, burgers, steak, or in addition to a potluck spread would all be delicious.

 

This pasta salad could easily serve more than 6 people if serving with other sides and salads at a gathering. 

Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy only and should be understood as an estimate rather than a guarantee. The Menu Maid makes no guarantees to the accuracy of this information.

Nutrition

Calories: 634kcal | Carbohydrates: 66g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 31g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 10g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Cholesterol: 109mg | Sodium: 870mg | Potassium: 601mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 935IU | Vitamin C: 24mg | Calcium: 204mg | Iron: 2mg

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