CBR Pasta Salad
CBR Pasta Salad
Ingredients
For the Pasta Salad
- 8 oz protein or chickpea pasta, dry, any shape
- 1 lb cooked chicken breast, chopped
- 2/3 cup red onion, finely minced
- 1 cup sweet peas, frozen or canned
- 1/2 cup real bacon bits
- 2/3 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/4 cup green onion, thinly sliced
- as needed salt, for pasta water
For the Lighter Ranch Sauce
- 3/4 cup light mayo
- 3/4 cup non fat plain greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons ranch seasoning
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce, optional
- 1/2 teaspoon hickory liquid smoke
- 3-4 tablespoons water, to thin
Instructions
- 1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the protein or chickpea pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente.
⏱️ 8 min
- 2
While the pasta cooks, prepare the red onion. For a milder flavor, soak the finely minced red onion in cold water for 10 minutes, then drain well.
⏱️ 10 min
- 3
Once the pasta is cooked, drain it thoroughly and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down. Transfer the cooled pasta to a large mixing bowl.
⏱️ 2 min
- 4
In a separate medium bowl, combine all the ingredients for the lighter ranch sauce: light mayo, non fat plain Greek yogurt, ranch seasoning, apple cider vinegar, hot sauce (if using), and hickory liquid smoke. Whisk until smooth.
⏱️ 3 min
- 5
Gradually add 3 to 4 tablespoons of water to the ranch sauce, whisking until it reaches your desired consistency. (The video creator usually adds about 3 tablespoons).
⏱️ 1 min
- 6
Add the chopped cooked chicken breast, prepared red onion, sweet peas, real bacon bits, and thinly sliced green onion to the large mixing bowl with the pasta.
⏱️ 2 min
- 7
Pour the prepared ranch sauce over all the ingredients in the large mixing bowl. Add the shredded cheddar cheese.
⏱️ 1 min
- 8
Stir everything in the large bowl until thoroughly combined, ensuring the sauce coats all ingredients evenly.
⏱️ 2 min
- 9
If time allows, cover the bowl and chill the pasta salad in the fridge for 2 to 3 hours before serving to allow the flavors to meld and deepen.
⏱️ 180 min
- 10
Taste the pasta salad and add additional salt or pepper if needed, as ranch seasonings can vary. Portion into meal prep containers for easy storage.
⏱️ 1 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
CBR Pasta Salad
For the Pasta Salad
- 8 oz protein or chickpea pasta, dry, any shape
- 1 lb cooked chicken breast, chopped
- 2/3 cup red onion, finely minced
- 1 cup sweet peas, frozen or canned
- 1/2 cup real bacon bits
- 2/3 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/4 cup green onion, thinly sliced
- as needed salt, for pasta water
For the Lighter Ranch Sauce
- 3/4 cup light mayo
- 3/4 cup non fat plain greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons ranch seasoning
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce, optional
- 1/2 teaspoon hickory liquid smoke
- 3-4 tablespoons water, to thin
Instructions
- 1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the protein or chickpea pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente.
⏱️ 8 min - 2
While the pasta cooks, prepare the red onion. For a milder flavor, soak the finely minced red onion in cold water for 10 minutes, then drain well.
⏱️ 10 min - 3
Once the pasta is cooked, drain it thoroughly and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down. Transfer the cooled pasta to a large mixing bowl.
⏱️ 2 min - 4
In a separate medium bowl, combine all the ingredients for the lighter ranch sauce: light mayo, non fat plain Greek yogurt, ranch seasoning, apple cider vinegar, hot sauce (if using), and hickory liquid smoke. Whisk until smooth.
⏱️ 3 min - 5
Gradually add 3 to 4 tablespoons of water to the ranch sauce, whisking until it reaches your desired consistency. (The video creator usually adds about 3 tablespoons).
⏱️ 1 min - 6
Add the chopped cooked chicken breast, prepared red onion, sweet peas, real bacon bits, and thinly sliced green onion to the large mixing bowl with the pasta.
⏱️ 2 min - 7
Pour the prepared ranch sauce over all the ingredients in the large mixing bowl. Add the shredded cheddar cheese.
⏱️ 1 min - 8
Stir everything in the large bowl until thoroughly combined, ensuring the sauce coats all ingredients evenly.
⏱️ 2 min - 9
If time allows, cover the bowl and chill the pasta salad in the fridge for 2 to 3 hours before serving to allow the flavors to meld and deepen.
⏱️ 180 min - 10
Taste the pasta salad and add additional salt or pepper if needed, as ranch seasonings can vary. Portion into meal prep containers for easy storage.
⏱️ 1 min