You’ll love this Orzo Ranch Pasta Salad for your next BBQ or summer party. So easy to prepare you’ll be enjoying this side dish with your guests in no time.

 

Orzo Ranch Pasta Salad

NOTE: This recipe has been fully updated with new text and pictures 2/2020. Hope that you enjoy it!

We’re enjoying those last few weeks of summer, getting out and having fun while the weather is wonderful. One of the easiest ways we’ve found to enjoy is by having a simple barbecue.  

A few friends or family and great food, what beats that? Not much planning involved, very little prep work either, just great times and plenty of good food.

Personally, I enjoy preparing side dishes that take advantage of the items I already have on hand. Pasta salads are a great way to do this, it almost becomes a challenge.

 

 

What can I make with what I already have? For this particular BBQ, I surveyed what I had on hand in my pantry and refrigerator and tada that’s how Orzo Ranch Pasta Salad came about.

On-hand I had Orzo pasta, tomatoes, ranch dressing mix, olives, cheese, and seasonings. All of these ingredients together make a simple yet delicious side dish that is so easy and takes only a few minutes to prepare.  

 

 

Spending more time enjoying the BBQ not stuck in the kitchen is always a win! Especially when you live in Michigan and it’s miserable outside the majority of the year. 

This is such an easy side dish to throw together. All you have to do is a little chopping, stirring and pasta cooking. Allow enough time to let the salad cool in the refrigerator, the flavors will really blend nicely. 

 

What ingredients do you need to make Orzo Ranch Pasta Salad?

• Orzo pasta
• Mayonnaise
• Ranch seasoning
• Lawry’s Seasoned Salt
• Garlic Powder
• Ground Pepper
• Milk
• Tomato
• Black Olives
• Cheddar Cheese

Some tips for making Orzo Ranch Pasta Salad:

• Be sure to rinse the cooked Orzo with cool water. 
• I used regular Mayonnaise.
• Refrigerate the prepared salad a minimum of one hour prior to serving. 
• After refrigerating, the salad may require a tiny amount of additional milk if it seems dry. 
• If desired, add-in: cooked and crumbled bacon, finely diced bell pepper or finely diced cucumber. 
• Refrigerate leftover salad. 

Simple steps for making Orzo Ranch Pasta Salad:

Cook Orzo according to package directions. Drain and rinse with cool water. 

In a large bowl, mix mayonnaise, ranch dressing mix, garlic powder and Lawry’s. Stir in milk until smooth.

Mix together pasta, tomato, black olives, cheese, and dressing until thoroughly coated.

Cover and chill at least 1 hour in the refrigerator. Add additional milk if the salad seems a bit dry when serving.

Other great sides for summer dining:

Asparagus Tortellini Pasta Salad

Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

Tortellini Caprese Salad

Yield: 6-8 servings

Orzo Ranch Pasta Salad

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You'll love this Orzo Ranch Pasta Salad for your next BBQ or summer party. So easy to prepare you'll be enjoying this side dish with your guests in no time.

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cooling Time 1 hour

Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes

Ingredients

• 16 ounces Orzo pasta, cooked & drained according to package directions
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1 ounce package dry ranch salad dressing mix
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon Lawry's Seasoned Salt
• 1/2 cup milk, or more as needed
• 1/2 cup tomato, diced
• 1 2.25 ounce can black olives, sliced
• 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• salt & pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse with cold water.
2. In a large bowl, mix mayonnaise, ranch dressing mix, garlic powder and Lawry's. Stir in milk until smooth.
3. Mix together pasta, tomato, black olives, cheese, and dressing until thoroughly coated.
4. Cover and chill at least 1 hour in the refrigerator. Add additional milk if the salad seems a bit dry when serving.