Introduction
creamy base—like edible confetti. This Farmhouse Comfort Confetti Salad leans into that cozy, crowd-pleasing
potluck vibe: tender pasta, crunchy bell peppers and cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, a little bite of red onion, and plenty of cheddar.
Everything gets coated in a tangy ranch-style dressing that’s creamy without being heavy.
The secret to making it unforgettable isn’t fancy ingredients—it’s balance. You want crunch + creaminess, tang + richness, and enough
seasoning so it tastes bold even when it’s served cold. This recipe is also flexible: add bacon for smokiness, peas for sweetness,
or swap in whatever veggies you have on hand. Chill it for a couple hours and it turns into the kind of side dish people “accidentally”
keep going back for.
Potluck pro move: Reserve a few tablespoons of dressing. Stir it in right before serving to refresh the creaminess.
Ingredients
Salad base
- 12 oz (340 g) small pasta (rotini, shells, or macaroni)
- 1 cup (150 g) diced bell peppers (mixed colors)
- 1 cup (130 g) diced cucumber (seeds removed for less water)
- 1 cup (150 g) halved cherry tomatoes
- 1/2 cup (75 g) finely diced red onion
- 1/2 cup (75 g) diced celery
- 1 cup (150 g) shredded cheddar cheese
Optional add-ins
- 1/2 cup cooked peas (sweet pop)
- 1/2 cup bacon crumbles (smoky crunch)
- 1/2 cup diced ham (heartier)
- 1/2 cup chopped pickles (tangy bite)
Creamy dressing
- 1/2 cup (120 g) mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup (120 g) sour cream (or Greek yogurt)
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar (or lemon juice)
- 1–2 tbsp ranch seasoning
- Optional: 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1/2 tsp salt (to taste)
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
No ranch packet? Use 1 tsp garlic powder + 1 tsp onion powder + 1 tsp dried dill (plus a pinch of salt).
Watery salad warning: Remove cucumber seeds and drain tomatoes if very juicy. Too much water thins the dressing.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Cook and cool the pasta
- Boil pasta in salted water until al dente (follow package time).
- Drain and rinse briefly with cool water to stop cooking.
- Shake well to remove water and let cool 10 minutes.
Step 2: Prep the “confetti” veggies
- Dice bell peppers, cucumber (seeded), celery, and red onion.
- Halve cherry tomatoes.
- Shred cheddar (fresh-shredded melts better and tastes fresher).
