This tasty Vegan Ranch Pasta Salad is easy to make and much healthier than boxed pasta salads because it uses real plant-based foods such as carrots, peas, and tempeh It’s perfect for BBQs, potlucks or parties and is gluten and dairy-free!
BBQs, picnics, and potlucks are such fun ways to celebrate with family and friends. I’m always looking for something delicious to bring to impress people and show them how tasty a plant-based diet can be like with some Street Fair Corn or Ramen Noodle Salad.
In my pre-veg days, one of my favorite foods at our family BBQs used to be that boxed Betty Crocker Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad. Though it was not the healthiest thing in the world, I loved it anyway. So much so that I usually ate like half the box myself!
Because I missed having that pasta salad during our BBQs, I decided to create a recipe that was healthier and plant-based that everyone would enjoy. So I came up with this copycat recipe that my whole family has loved (including omnivores).
Now no one misses the old boxed stuff!
Dairy-Free Ranch
First, I needed to whip up a tasty vegan ranch dressing. Ranch was my jam before giving up dairy so I knew I wanted to do it justice.
I make a delicious ranch dipping sauce for my Buffalo Quinoa Balls and I considered using that. Although that sauce is tasty and would definitely work for this pasta salad, the ranch I ultimately created for the dish is quick to make and a bit lighter in texture than my original version.
I think this version works a bit better on the pasta. It makes the dish smoother.
The fresh herbs take this pasta salad to the next level so I do recommending using them if you can. If not, you can sub in a little less of the dried herbs.
Added Protein
I love the taste of bacon bits and ranch together (did you know many of those bacon bits – like the one from McCormick – were actually vegan?!). I use them in a pinch but since they are very processed, I wanted to come up with another idea to share with you.
I have used tempeh before in my Spicy Sesame Noodles and Teriyaki Tempeh so thought that could work as a good substitute. I’m glad I tried it because it worked out well.
Most health food stores like Whole Foods will have tempeh and many large mainstream grocery stores carry it now – I have found some at my local Stop and Shop. If you have never tried tempeh or tried it before and didn’t’ think it was for you, give this cooking technique a try, it’s really good!
If you’re in a rush and have bacon bits on hand, you can always use them in this vegan ranch pasta salad instead of the tempeh.
Vegan Ranch Pasta Salad
If you make this vegan ranch pasta salad recipe, let me know what you think by ★ star rating it and leaving a comment below.
Vegan Ranch Pasta Salad {gluten free}
Ingredients
PASTA
- 12 oz gluten-free pasta shell pasta (or any kind that fits your diet)
- 1/2 cup frozen baby peas
- 6 sun-dried tomatoes chopped
- 1 small carrot shredded
TEMPEH BACON BITS (use half of the recipe)
- 1 TB olive or coconut oil
- 1 package tempeh
- 2 TB tamari (or soy sauce if not gf)
- 1 TB apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- few drops liquid smoke (optional)
Vegan Ranch (see recipe below)
Instructions
- Cook pasta to package directions.
- While pasta is cooking, put tempeh block in a bowl and mash it with a fork until crumbly. Then add tamari, apple cider vinegar, cumin, garlic powder, salt and pepper.
- Add oil to large pan. Once heated, add tempeh crumbles and cook for about 5 minutes until heated and browned.
- Make vegan ranch sauce (recipe below).
- When pasta is done, add peas to cooked hot pasta and let sit for about a minute to heat up the peas.
- Add carrots and sun-dried tomatoes to pasta.
- Stir ranch sauce into pasta.
- Mix in 1/2 of the tempeh (or feel free to use all of it if you want!).
Notes
Nutrition
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Vegan Ranch
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup vegan mayo
- 1 TB almond milk
- 1 TB apple cider vinegar
- 1 TB nutritional yeast
- 2 TB fresh chives
- 1 tsp fresh dill
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a high-speed blender and blend until smooth.
Nutrition
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Mary Ellen Valverde MS, CNS, LDN is a Licensed Nutritionist and Certified Nutrition Specialist helping people thrive on a plant-powered diet. Mary Ellen offers a completely holistic and science-based approach to designing a healthy, plant-based life.
When she’s not working with clients or creating new meals for her blog, you can find Mary Ellen doting on her two rescue shih tzus, creating the perfect vegan mac & cheese, or exploring the world with her husband.
Amy Katz from Veggies Save The Day says
Looks great! I love Ranch.
Mary Ellen says
Ranch is one of my favorite flavors (along with Buffalo sauce – or any kind of hot sauce for that matter!).
Craig says
Step for the pasta mentions sun dried tomatoes but that is not listed in the ingredients section.
Mary Ellen says
Sorry about that! Updated!
dfghjkl;' says
soooooooooo good
Mary Ellen says
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
GiGi Eats Celebrities says
LOL!!! Two weekends ago, we were doing our food tasting for our wedding and this beautiful salad came out with a specific dressing for the salad and my fiance looked at it funny and was like, uh. I hate. it. And I looked at him like EXCUSE ME but you didn’t even try it… And he was like. Yeah, I know. But I also know it needs ranch. In fact, everything on this table needs some ranch. LMFAO!!!!
Mary Ellen says
Everything does need ranch! Or hot sauce for me! Good luck with your wedding planning GiGi! 🙂
kimmythevegan says
Sounds super delicious! Way better than boxed ranch salad. 😉 I think I’d like to try it with coconut bacon!!!
Mary Ellen says
Thanks Kimmy! I bet coconut bacon would be awesome in this! Great idea, next time I do a ranch kind of thing I’m totally using coconut bacon (and crediting you of course!).
Kimmythevegan says
Ok I made this tonight for supper and pretty well kept the entire recipe the same, except I added broccoli as I had some in the fridge that needed using up. I did it with tempeh bacon too as I wanted to try it the way you made it the first time. Holy crap it’s insanely delicious! I had 1.5 bowls of it and wanted to keep going… but figured moderation was key 😉 SO GOOD!!!!
Mary Ellen says
I’m so glad you liked it Kimmy! Moderation is key but it’s hard lol.
It’s funny, I actually asked Matt if I should add broccoli to this dish and he said I probably didn’t need it – good to know the broccoli worked in there too!
Jenn says
Oh, this sounds so good!! I LOVE peas in my pasta salads! I would totally bring this to any potluck!
Mary Ellen says
Thanks Jenn! Pasta salad ain’t nothing without peas lol!
Penny Calladine says
I’m English, this website is a revelation to me.
What is ranch dressing?
And what is a potluck please?
Mary Ellen says
Hi Penny! Welcome!
Ranch dressing is a type of creamy salad dressing usually made of combination of buttermilk, salt, garlic, onion, mustard, herbs, and spices. This one is one I veganized so there’s no dairy in it.
A potluck is a gathering where everyone all brings their own food. 🙂
Cadry's Kitchen says
Oh, my gosh! I totally remember those boxed salads. I always had boxed salads & boxed rice mixes in my college dorm. They were easy to have on hand and cook with limited cooking equipment. It’s funny. I actually thought they were almost healthy because of the dehydrated vegetables in them! Well, it was better than my breakfast of Twinkies… Haha! Thank goodness for healthier versions like this one!
Mary Ellen says
I used to have soooo many boxed pastas in my dorm too! I got them on sale and then bought like 100 of them for the semester and ate the whole box myself!
I thought they were healthy too – 2 tablespoons of dehydrated veggies were they only vegetables I probably ate that day!
onesonicbite says
Mmm.. this looks so good. And looks pretty simple to make too, which is kind-of key for a BBQ/picnic side dish.
Mary Ellen says
Yes, I am always looking for easy bbq recipes bc I wait till last minute to make whatever I’m bringing!
onesonicbite says
BTW I made the recipe this weekend. Everyone really liked it, though not much actually gotten eaten (there was another pasta salad and potato salad to compete with) I like the “bacon tempeh” concept to go with the pasta.
Mary Ellen says
I’m so glad everyone liked it! I’ve been all over the tempeh lately!
kateringforveggies says
Oh this looks so good! I love to add sundried tomatoes to my pasta salad as well… They’re so tasty! I need to try tempeh this way… We have a love/hate relationship: I would love to love it but every time I’ve had it I didn’t like it much. I’m about to give up!
Mary Ellen says
Try the tempeh this way and let me know what you think! I could not stand tempeh for the longest time but now I can eat it this way – baby steps for me!
Julie Wunder says
This looks soooo good! Love all the flavors in it without the dairy!
Hope you’ll stop by to linkup for Best of Blogs today.
Mary Ellen says
Thanks so much Julie! I’ll stop over now!
Christine @ Run Plant Based says
This looks amazing, thanks! I adore ranch flavors and trying new vegan versions.
Mary Ellen says
Thanks Christine! I hope you like this one too!
fitfoodiemama says
Dairy free ranch pasta?! Yes please! Looks delish- hope you have a great holiday weekend! 🙂
Mary Ellen says
Thanks Annmarie!! Have a great holiday weekend too!
Farrah says
I’m not sure why, but I’ve never actually tried making pasta salad (I only ever have it as just…well, pasta (with sauce + veggies/meat). I need to try this though–it looks amazing, and way better than the box!
Mary Ellen says
Thanks Farrah! I only started after going veg bc I couldn’t eat the other ones anymore.
Melissa @ Vegan Huggs says
You had me at ranch! This looks fabulous! 🙂
Mary Ellen says
Thanks Melissa!! I love ranch everything!
frieddandelions says
My kids think ranch is the best thing ever! I bet they would love this!
Mary Ellen says
Thanks so much! I’m with your kids about ranch being the best thing ever lol!
Lee says
Mary Ellen, this looks amazing! Pinning it to try soon!
Mary Ellen says
Thanks so much Lee!
kellie anderson says
I love everything about this, especially the tempeh bacon bits! Thanks for sharing – I’m sharing it too!
Mary Ellen says
Thanks so much Kellie! I hope you like it!
Corina says
It looks delicious! I haven’t made a pasta salad for a long time but my mum has a couple of favourites that she’s been making for years and it’s great to remake an old favourite but in a healthier way!
Mary Ellen says
Thanks so much Corina! I love remaking old favorites into something healthy (and veggie) that I can enjoy!
Anukampa says
the salad looks great. First time here on your blog. You have got nice collection of recipes here.
Mary Ellen says
Thanks for stopping by Anukampa! I’ll check out your blog now too!
janet @ the taste space says
Oh yum, this looks great. I like how you added tempeh bacon!
Mary Ellen says
Thanks Janet! I needed a bacon substitute and the tempeh worked out really well. 🙂
Genevia says
Ranch is a very distinct flavor. Love the fact thatthe recipe is gluten and dairy free. I will give it a try.
Mary Ellen says
Thank you so much Genevia! I really hope you like it!
J says
This pasta salad is delicious and so simple! It came together very quickly and tasted amazing 🙂 It is one of those dishes that you could never tell was vegan, which is great for sharing with family and friends who get turned off by the word vegan alone!
Mary Ellen says
Thank you so much J! I’m so glad you enjoyed it and I really appreciate you letting me knew l know!
Mary Ellen says
Thank you so much! I am so happy you liked it! I’m with you, I bring this to parties and people don’t realize it’s vegan and they love it. When they find out it’s vegan, they’re so surprised – but probably wouldn’t have tried it if they heard the word vegan beforehand. 🙂
Margaret says
Does this hold up well if made a couple days ahead of serving it?
Mary Ellen says
Hi Margaret! I think it’s best the same day but I’ve eaten it a few days later and it still tastes really good. I guess it’s not the taste so much as it looks best the day you make it – pretty much like anything else. I made the video for this Monday and finished the last of it for lunch yesterday and I still really enjoyed it, one of my co-workers actually said it smelled really good. 🙂
I might just add a little extra mayo if you are going to eat it a day or so later to keep it creamier.
Katie says
Hi! If using McCormick Bacon Bits instead of the Tempeh, how much would you recommend adding? This looks delicious – I can’t wait to try it!
Mary Ellen says
Since the bacon bits are a little saltier than the tempeh, I’d probably start with about 1/4 to 1/3 of a cup and give it a taste to see what you think. Then add a little more if you need it.
I hope you enjoy Katie!
Sabrina says
OMG! This was delicious! This is the best recipe I’ve found yet for vegan ranch. Tastes just as good as the non-vegan stuff. I’ve been looking for a vegan ranch for my salads but nothing has come close to this one. Going to try the lightened up version you mentioned on another recipe for my regular salads w/lettuce. Thank you 🙂 When i say this is truly a game changer for me , I mean that.
Mary Ellen says
Hi Sabrina! I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Yes, I couldn’t find a vegan ranch I relly enjoyed so I figured I’d play around with my own. 🙂 Thank you so much for coming back and letting me know you liked it – that means a lot!
Melissa says
Taste exactly like it! Thanks!
Mary Ellen says
Yay! I love to hear that! Thanks so much for coming back to leave a comment, Melissa!