Deprecated: trim(): Passing null to parameter #1 ($string) of type string is deprecated in /home/davecampbell/foodwatcher.com/wp-content/plugins/feedwordpress/feedwordpress.php on line 2022

Ranch Chicken Drumsticks

Ranch chicken drumsticks are an easy and flavorful main dish for dinner that you can make with just a few simple ingredients.

The post Ranch Chicken Drumsticks appeared first on Budget Bytes.

Baked Chicken Drumsticks are one of my favorite easy dinner quick fixes because drumsticks are usually pretty inexpensive, they’re mostly hands-off to prepare, and you can make them just about ANY flavor. So this week I dressed mine up with a little melted butter and ranch seasoning mix and O-M-G. Talk about good! Trust me, you want to make these Ranch Chicken Drumsticks tonight.

Overhead view of a bowl full of ranch chicken drumsticks.

What is Ranch Seasoning?

The ranch seasoning mix is the star of the show in this recipe. It’s basically a mix of herbs and spices combined with buttermilk powder that creates the most deliciously tangy and flavorful layer on whatever you add it to. You can use a store-bought packet of ranch seasoning, or make your own using our homemade ranch seasoning recipe.

Why Add the Seasoning After Baking?

Ranch seasoning contains dehydrated buttermilk and those delicate proteins can burn if you coat the chicken in the seasoning before it goes into the oven. Plus, the powder tends to clump once mixed with oil or melted butter, so we found that the best way to coat the drumsticks in ranch flavor is to sprinkle it on after baking. …And to use a little melted butter to help it stick. ;)

Can I use Other Types of Chicken?

Yes, you can definitely make this recipe with other cuts of bone-in, skin-on chicken, like thighs or breasts, just be sure to adjust the baking time for the size of the piece of meat you’re baking. Larger pieces, like breasts, will require more time and a lower temperature to prevent drying out. Check out our Herb Roasted Chicken Breast recipe for a good technique for cooking bone-in, skin-on chicken breast.

I do not suggest using this method for boneless, skinless breasts as they tend to dry out too quickly in the oven and they will not achieve any browning like you get with skin-on chicken.

What to Serve with Ranch Chicken Drumsticks

Ranch is such a classic flavor that it will go with all sorts of simple side dishes. I’ve paired it with our Parmesan beans and roasted broccoli, but it would also go great with mashed potatoes, steamed green beans, three bean salad, lemon pepper zucchini, lemon parsley pasta, or macaroni salad.

Close up view of two ranch chicken drumsticks on a plate with Parmesan beans and roasted broccoli.
Close up overhead view of ranch chicken drumsticks in a bowl.
Print

Ranch Chicken Drumsticks

Ranch chicken drumsticks are an easy and flavorful main dish for dinner that you can make with just a few simple ingredients.
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine American
Total Cost $5.37 recipe / $0.90 each
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings 6 drumsticks
Calories 284kcal

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 425ºF. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Place the chicken drumsticks in a large bowl and drizzle the cooking oil over top. Add the garlic powder, salt, and pepper, then toss until the chicken is evenly coated in oil and seasoning.
  • Place the chicken drumsticks on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 175ºF and the drumsticks are browned. Flip the drumsticks once, halfway through baking.
  • After baking, transfer the drumsticks to a clean bowl. Melt the butter and drizzle it over the drumsticks. Gently toss the drumsticks to coat. Sprinkle the ranch seasoning over top then toss to coat again. Serve hot!

See how we calculate recipe costs here.

Nutrition

Serving: 1drumstick | Calories: 284kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 18g | Sodium: 419mg | Fiber: 0.02g
Close up side view of ranch chicken drumsticks in a bowl.

How to Make Ranch Chicken Drumsticks – Step by Step Photos

Seasoned drumsticks in a bowl.

Preheat the oven to 425ºF. Place about 2 lbs. of chicken drumsticks in a bowl. Drizzle 1 Tbsp cooking oil over top and add ¼ tsp garlic powder, ¼ tsp salt, and ⅛ tsp freshly cracked pepper. Toss the drumsticks until they’re evenly coated in oil and seasoning.

Chicken drumsticks on a prepared baking sheet ready to be cooked.

Place the seasoned chicken drumsticks on a parchment-lined baking sheet, making sure there is a little space around each one to allow adequate exposure to hot air.

Baked chicken drumsticks on a baking sheet.

Bake the drumsticks for 40-45 minutes, or until they reach an internal temperature of 175ºF and are browned. Flip the drumsticks once about half-way through cooking.

Melted butter being drizzled over the drumsticks in a bowl.

Place the baked drumsticks in a clean bowl and drizzle 1 Tbsp melted butter over top. Gently toss the drumsticks with a large spoon or spatula to coat them in the butter.

Ranch seasoning being sprinkled over the drumsticks.

Sprinkle about 2 teaspoons of ranch seasoning over the drumsticks and gently toss again until evenly coated.

Close up overhead view of ranch chicken drumsticks in a bowl.

Serve hot and enjoy! (garnished with chopped parsley for color, not flavor).

Overhead view of two ranch chicken drumsticks on a plate with beans and broccoli.

The post Ranch Chicken Drumsticks appeared first on Budget Bytes.

Ranch Drop Biscuits

Add ranch seasoning to your biscuit dough for an extra punch of flavor! These Ranch Drop Biscuits are the perfect side for a bowl of soup.

The post Ranch Drop Biscuits appeared first on Budget Bytes.

If you haven’t heard, it’s soup season. ;) And what’s better to go with a warm and cozy bowl of soup than a warm and tender drop biscuit? Drop biscuits are incredibly easy and you can change up the flavors to go with your meal. This week I used my homemade ranch seasoning to make a really simple ranch-flavored drop biscuit. They’re a little tangy, a little herby, and absolutely delicious! I know you’re going to love them, so make sure to put these Ranch Drop Biscuits on your menu.

Side view of a stack of ranch drop biscuits on a plate

What Are Drop Biscuits?

Drop biscuits are a really simple type of quickbread with a free-form dough that is just dropped by the spoonful onto a baking sheet rather than being rolled and cut like a traditional biscuit. They have a wonderfully rustic shape that creates tons of nooks and crannies in the top, perfect for brushing with butter.

This particular drop biscuit recipe is even easier because we use heavy cream in place of butter, so there is no need to use a pastry cutter or to do the tedious work of cutting butter into the flour. You just stir, scoop, drop, and bake!

Can I Substitute the Heavy Cream?

Heavy cream is vital to this recipe because the high-fat content of the cream is what replaces the butter that is traditionally used in biscuits. The fat is what keeps the biscuit soft and tender. Without it, your biscuits will be dense and rubbery. Labels can vary from brand to brand, so just look for cream labeled heavy cream, whipping cream, or heavy whipping cream. Any of those types of cream will have an adequate amount of fat to make the biscuits work well.

Use Homemade or Store-Bought Ranch Seasoning

This recipe works great with either a store-bought packet of ranch seasoning or a batch of homemade ranch seasoning. You can use whatever is most convenient for you!

What Else Can I Add?

As mentioned above, you can add all sorts of delicious flavors to drop biscuits. If you want to add even more to these Ranch Drop Biscuits you could stir some fresh sliced green onions or shredded cheddar cheese to the dough (add with the dry ingredients).

Baked ranch drop biscuits on a baking sheet
side view of ranch drop biscuits on a plate

Ranch Drop Biscuits

Add ranch seasoning to your biscuit dough for an extra punch of flavor! These Ranch Drop Biscuits are the perfect side for a bowl of soup.
Total Cost $2.54 recipe / $0.21 each
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 18 minutes
Total Time 33 minutes
Servings 12 biscuits
Calories 244kcal
Author Beth – Budget Bytes

Ingredients

Homemade Ranch Seasoning*

  • 2 Tbsp buttermilk powder $0.15
  • 1/2 tsp dried parsley $0.05
  • 1/4 tsp dried dill $0.03
  • 1/4 tsp onion powder $0.02
  • 1/8 tsp garlic powder $0.02
  • 1/4 tsp lemon pepper $0.02
  • 1/8 tsp freshly cracked black pepper $0.02

Biscuits

  • 2.25 cups all-purpose flour $0.35
  • 1 tsp salt $0.05
  • 1 Tbsp baking powder $0.06
  • 1 tsp sugar $0.02
  • 1 pint heavy cream $1.55
  • 2 Tbsp butter (for topping, optional) $0.20

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 400ºF. In a small bowl, combine the ingredients for the ranch seasoning (buttermilk powder, parsley, dill, onion powder, garlic powder, lemon pepper, black pepper). Set one teaspoon of the ranch seasoning aside to mix with melted butter and brush over the finished biscuits.
  • In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, and the remaining ranch seasoning (if you do not plan to brush melted butter over your baked biscuits, just us all of the ranch seasoning in the biscuit batter). Make sure the dry ingredients are evenly combined.
  • Add the heavy cream to the dry ingredients and stir until a sticky batter forms. Make sure no dry flour is left on the bottom of the bowl.
  • Spoon the batter onto a parchment lined baking sheet in about ¼ cup dollops. The batter does not need to be shaped or smoothed in any way. You should get about 12 biscuits.
  • Bake the biscuits for about 18 minutes, or until they are puffed and golden brown on top.
  • After baking, melt the butter in a small dish, then stir in the reserved ranch seasoning. Brush the ranch butter over the top of the biscuits just before serving.

Notes

*You can use one packet of store-bought ranch seasoning in place of the seasoning ingredients listed in the recipe.

Nutrition

Serving: 1biscuit | Calories: 244kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 17g | Sodium: 337mg | Fiber: 1g
Drop biscuits on a round plate, garnished with parsley

How to Make Ranch Drop Biscuits – Step by Step Photos

Ranch seasoning in a bowl

Preheat the oven to 400ºF. If you’re using homemade ranch seasoning, combine the ingredients for the seasoning in a bowl (2 Tbsp buttermilk powder, ½ tsp dried parsley, ¼ tsp dried dill, ¼ tsp onion powder, ⅛ tsp garlic powder, ¼ tsp lemon pepper, ⅛ tsp black pepper). Whether using a homemade ranch seasoning or store-bought, set aside 1 tsp of the seasoning to combine with melted butter to be brushed over the biscuits after baking.

drop biscuit dry ingredients in a bowl

Combine 2.25 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tsp sugar, 1 tsp salt, 1 Tbsp baking powder, and the remaining ranch seasoning in a bowl. Stir until very well combined. If you don’t plan to brush melted butter over the biscuits after baking, you can just add all of the ranch seasoning at this time.

heavy cream being poured into the dry ingredients

Add one pint of heavy cream into the bowl of dry ingredients.

drop biscuit dough

Stir the heavy cream into the dry ingredients until it forms a shaggy ball of dough. It might be very sticky and that’s okay.

portioned biscuits on the baking sheet

Scoop and drop the dough into 12 portions onto a parchment-lined baking sheet (about ¼ cup each). If they’re a little uneven in shape or size, just pinch some off of one and press it onto another. The free-form shape makes them very forgiving! The more texture the better.

baked drop biscuits on a baking sheet

Bake the ranch drop biscuits in the preheated 400ºF for about 18 minutes, or until they’re puffed up and golden brown on the edges.

melted butter with ranch seasoning

Melt 2 Tbsp butter and then stir in the reserved teaspoon of ranch seasoning.

ranch butter being brushed over drop biscuits

Brush the ranch butter over the biscuits just before serving!

side view of ranch drop biscuits on a plate

I garnished with a little chopped parsley for the photos, but it’s not needed for flavor. :)

Love Drop Biscuits? Try These Other Flavors

The post Ranch Drop Biscuits appeared first on Budget Bytes.

Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken

Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken is tender, juicy, tangy, and rich all at the same time! Perfect for sandwiches, nachos, salads, pizza, and more.

The post Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken appeared first on Budget Bytes.

This Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken recipe was one of the top things I was looking forward to making once I figured out the formula for my Homemade Ranch Seasoning. The slow-cooked chicken is tender, spicy, tangy, and rich all at the same time and there are a hundred different ways you can use it! Sandwiches, dips, salads, pizza, and more. I’ve got a full list of how to use this insanely easy and delish shredded buffalo chicken below, so don’t miss it! I’m sure this is something you’ll want to make over and over again throughout football season and the holidays.

Shredded buffalo chicken in a slow cooker with tongs

What is Buffalo Sauce?

If you’re unfamiliar with this American classic, Buffalo Sauce is basically a combination of hot sauce (traditionally Frank’s Red Hot Sauce) and butter, which creates a super tangy, spicy, and slightly rich sauce that is used to coat fried chicken, among other things. For this slow cooker buffalo chicken, we’ve gone one step further and added ranch seasoning mix, which is a super tasty combination of buttermilk powder, herbs, and spices. The ranch seasoning adds a huge burst of flavor to the sauce and makes it even a little bit more creamy. It’s just to die for!

What Kind of Hot Sauce to Use

As mentioned above, buffalo sauce is usually made with Frank’s Red Hot Sauce, but you can use any similar vinegar-based cayenne flavored hot sauce for this recipe. I used the ALDI version of Frank’s and it was great!

Can I Substitute the Ranch Mix?

The ranch seasoning mix really brings a lot of flavor to this sauce, so I would avoid skipping it if possible. If you don’t have the ingredients to make your own ranch seasoning mix you can definitely use one packet of store-bought ranch seasoning in place of the ingredients listed below. Or, if you want to use your own herbs and spices but just don’t have the buttermilk powder, that will still taste really good, just slightly less rich.

How to Use Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken

Okay, here’s the fun part. How do you use this delicious shredded buffalo chicken? SO MANY WAYS. Here are some ideas:

  • As a buffalo chicken sandwich or wrap: bun or tortilla, coleslaw, pickles, ranch dressing
  • On nachos: on tortilla chips with lettuce, shredded carrot, and a drizzle of ranch dressing
  • Make a buffalo chicken dip: stir cream cheese into the shredded chicken until melted for a super creamy dip
  • In a quesadilla: fill a tortilla with the chicken and shredded Monterey jack cheese, then toast in a skillet
  • On a salad: pile the chicken onto crisp iceberg, top with chopped celery, shredded carrots, and blue cheese dressing
  • Pizza: add it to a pizza with a white sauce and top with a little mozzarella and maybe a drizzle of ranch after baking

My mouth is totally watering just typing all of that out! This stuff is seriously so good.

Close up side view of shredded buffalo chicken in the slow cooker with tongs
Close up side view of shredded buffalo chicken in the slow cooker with tongs

Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken

Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken is tender, juicy, tangy, and rich all at the same time! Perfect for sandwiches, nachos, salads, pizza, and more.
Total Cost $12.65 recipe / $1.58 serving
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 10 minutes
Servings 8 ½ cup each
Calories 191kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

Ranch Seasoning*

  • 2 Tbsp buttermilk powder $0.15
  • 1/2 tsp dried parsley $0.05
  • 1/4 tsp dried dill $0.03
  • 1/4 tsp onion powder $0.02
  • 1/8 tsp garlic powder $0.02
  • 1/4 tsp lemon pepper $0.02
  • 1/8 tsp sugar $0.01
  • 1/8 tsp salt $0.01
  • 1/8 tsp freshly cracked black pepper $0.01

Buffalo Chicken

  • 12 oz. hot sauce $2.19
  • 2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breasts $9.53
  • 4 Tbsp butter $0.40

Instructions

  • Combine the ranch seasoning (buttermilk powder, parsley, dill, onion powder, garlic powder, lemon pepper, sugar, salt, and pepper) and hot sauce in a bowl.
  • Place the chicken breasts in the bottom of a 3 quart or larger slow cooker. Cut the butter into chunks and place the butter on top of the chicken. Pour the hot sauce mixture over the chicken and butter.
  • Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook on low heat for four hours. After four hours, use two forks to shred the chicken (if it's not tender enough to shred yet, let it cook a little longer).
  • Serve the shredded chicken and sauce on sandwiches, in quesadillas, on top of nachos or salads, or as a dip for crackers and chips.

Notes

*You can use a store-bought packet of ranch seasoning instead of the homemade mix, if needed.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.5cup | Calories: 191kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 9g | Sodium: 1350mg | Fiber: 1g
tongs holding a scoop of buffalo chicken over the slow cooker

How to Make Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken – Step by Step Photos

ranch seasoning being poured into a bowl of hot sauce

Combine the ingredients for the ranch seasoning (2 Tbsp buttermilk powder, ½ tsp dried parsley, ¼ tsp dried dill, ¼ tsp onion powder, ⅛ tsp garlic powder, ¼ tsp lemon pepper, ⅛ tsp sugar, ⅛ tsp salt, ⅛ tsp pepper) with one 12 oz. bottle of vinegar-based hot sauce.

Chicken and butter in the slow cooker

Place about 2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breast in the bottom of a slow cooker. Cut 4 Tbsp butter into chunks and place them on top of the chicken.

Hot sauce mixture being poured over the chicken in the slow cooker

Pour the hot sauce mixture over the chicken and butter in the slow cooker.

Cooked buffalo chicken in the slow cooker

Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook the chicken on low heat for four hours.

two forks shredding the chicken in the slow cooker

After four hours the chicken should be tender and easily shreddable using two forks (if it’s not, let it cook another 30 minutes).

shredded chicken in buffalo sauce in the slow cooker

Fully shred the chicken, then enjoy!

A buffalo chicken sandwich with coleslaw
Shown on a bun with Creamy Coleslaw.

The post Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken appeared first on Budget Bytes.

Bacon Ranch Turkey Burgers

These super simple Bacon Ranch Turkey Burgers are the BEST homemade burgers around. Simple ingredients with TONS of flavor!

The post Bacon Ranch Turkey Burgers appeared first on Budget Bytes.

Ever since I made my own Homemade Ranch Seasoning the floodgates of recipe ideas have been opened. Ranch seasoning adds so much delicious, tangy, herby flavor to everything, including burgers. These Bacon Ranch Turkey Burgers are so stupid easy and crazy delicious that I might just never go out for burgers again. And as always, I’ve got plenty of ingredient options for you below. 👇

an oval platter with turkey burgers on a tiled surface

It’s All About the Ranch Seasoning

ALL of the flavor in these turkey burgers comes from ranch seasoning mix. I used my own homemade ranch seasoning, but you can just make this quick and easy using a store-bought packet of Hidden Valley (or any other brand) of ranch seasoning. You’ll need one packet, which is about 3 Tbsp.

Can I Use a Different Type of Meat?

Yes, you can make your bacon ranch burgers using ground beef, ground pork, or even ground chicken. I chose turkey because the light flavor doesn’t compete too much with the ranch seasoning, and I like the texture of ground turkey better than ground chicken.

You’ll want to use ground meat with a little fat to keep the burgers moist and tender.

Close up side view of a ranch turkey burger held in hands

Other Burger Topping Ideas

I topped my burgers with cheese, bacon, lettuce, tomato, and mayonnaise, so it was kind of like a BLT on steroids. But you can change up the toppings if you’re not a fan of what I used. Here are some other topping ideas that would work well with these ranch burgers:

  • Avocado or guacamole
  • Red onion
  • Ranch dressing
  • French fried onions
  • Coleslaw
  • Buffalo sauce
  • Alfalfa sprouts
  • Comeback sauce

What to Serve with Ranch Burgers

I served my Ranch Burgers with some baked fries, but there are so many delicious sides that would go great with these burgers. A little potato salad would be awesome, or maybe some Broccoli Pasta Salad, Classic Creamy Coleslaw, or a simple side salad.

Side view of a platter full of bacon ranch turkey burgers
Close up side view of a ranch turkey burger held in hands

Bacon Ranch Turkey Burgers

These super simple Bacon Ranch Turkey Burgers are the BEST homemade burgers around. Simple ingredients with TONS of flavor!
Total Cost $12.15 recipe / $3.04 serving
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings 4 burgers
Calories 541kcal
Author Beth – Budget Bytes

Ingredients

  • 8 slices bacon $2.99
  • 1 lb. ground turkey $3.99
  • 3 Tbsp ranch seasoning mix* $0.53
  • 1 Tbsp cooking oil $0.04
  • 4 slices cheese (optional) $1.15
  • 4 hamburger buns $1.25
  • 1 tomato $1.40
  • 4 leaves lettuce $0.55
  • 4 Tbsp mayonnaise $0.25

Instructions

  • Cook the bacon using the directions on the package or the method of your choice (skillet, oven, microwave) until brown and crispy.
  • Add the ground turkey to a bowl along with the ranch seasoning mix. Using your hands, mix the ranch seasoning into the ground turkey.
  • Divide the ground turkey into four equal amounts, then shape into burger patties. The meat will contract quite a bit as it cooks, so make the patties quite wide and flat (about 4.5 inches in diameter).
  • Add a little cooking oil to a skillet and heat over medium. Once the skillet is hot, add the burger patties and cook for 3-5 minutes on each side or until the burgers are browned and cooked through.
  • If using cheese, add a slice of cheese to each burger, place a lid on the skillet and allow the heat to melt the cheese.
  • While the burgers are cooking, slice the tomato. Build the burgers using the buns, tomatoes, lettuce, cooked bacon, and mayonnaise. Enjoy!

Notes

*You can use store-bought or homemade ranch seasoning. If your ranch seasoning is in bulk rather than a single packet, use about 3 Tbsp.

Nutrition

Serving: 1burger | Calories: 541kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 38g | Fat: 29g | Sodium: 1385mg | Fiber: 1g
a bacon ranch turkey burger in a basket with fries

How to Make Bacon Ranch Turkey Burgers – Step by Step Photos

cooked bacon strips on a paper towel lined plate

Cook 8 strips of bacon until brown and crispy using either the instructions on the package or your favorite method. I like to cook my bacon in the oven. Here is my tutorial on how to cook bacon in the oven.

ground turkey in a bowl with ranch seasoning

Add one pound ground turkey to a bowl with 3 Tbsp (one packet) ranch seasoning or homemade ranch seasoning mix. Mix the seasoning into the meat until evenly combined.

Shaped turkey burger patties

Divide the meat into four equal portions and then shape them into patties. The meat will contract quite a bit as it cooks, so make them much wider and flatter than you want the final burger to be. My patties were about 4.5 inches wide when raw. Ground turkey can be quite soft and wet compared to ground beef, but don’t let that worry you.

Cooked turkey burgers in a skillet, two with cheese on top

Add some cooking oil to a skillet and heat over medium. Once hot, add your burgers (you can do two batches if they’re too big to all fit) and cook for 3-5 minutes on each side or until well browned and cooked through. If using cheese, add a slice of cheese on top, place a lid on the skillet, and allow the heat to melt the cheese.

Burgers being assembled on a platter with ingredients on the sides

Assemble your cooked turkey burgers with buns, lettuce, tomato, bacon, and mayo. Then DIG IN! :)

The post Bacon Ranch Turkey Burgers appeared first on Budget Bytes.

Ranch Broccoli Pasta

This Ranch Broccoli Pasta just takes minutes to make and is full of deliciously creamy, tangy, herby ranch flavor!

The post Ranch Broccoli Pasta appeared first on Budget Bytes.

One of my all-time favorite no-brainer quick-fix meals is pasta + broccoli + butter + Parmesan (aka Bowties and Broccoli). But what I discovered this week is that sprinkling a little ranch seasoning mix over top really takes it to the next level! This Ranch Broccoli Pasta just takes minutes to make and is full of deliciously creamy, tangy, herby ranch flavor!

Overhead view of a pot full of ranch broccoli pasta

What Kind of Ranch Seasoning to Use

I used a half batch of my homemade ranch seasoning, but you can use a store-bought packet of ranch seasoning mix if you prefer. This recipe calls for 1.5 Tbsp of ranch seasoning, which is about ½ of a store-bought packet. Of course, you could always add more seasoning if you prefer!

Use Any Pasta

Another reason that I love this quick-fix meal is that you can do this with whatever shape pasta you have. So it’s a great way to use up odds and ends of boxes of pasta that you may have hanging out in your pantry (if you’re like me and rarely cook an entire pound of pasta at once).

What Else Can I Add?

As usual, this recipe is a great jumping-off point for a number of fun variations. Here are some other ingredients you can add to take this easy meal up a notch:

  • Diced grilled chicken
  • Bacon
  • Grated Parmesan
  • Grape tomatoes (sliced in half)
ranch broccoli pasta in a bowl with a fork
close up of ranch broccoli pasta in a bowl

Ranch Broccoli Pasta

This Ranch Broccoli Pasta just takes minutes to make and is full of deliciously creamy, tangy, herby ranch flavor!
Total Cost $1.71 recipe / $0.43 serving
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 296kcal
Author Beth – Budget Bytes

Ingredients

  • 8 oz. pasta (any shape) $0.50
  • 1/2 lb. frozen broccoli florets $0.72
  • 2 Tbsp butter $0.20
  • 1.5 Tbsp ranch seasoning $0.27
  • 1/8 tsp salt (or to taste) $0.01
  • 1/8 tsp freshly cracked pepper $0.01

Instructions

  • Bring a large pot of water to a boil for the pasta. Once boiling, add the pasta and continue to boil until the pasta is tender (about 7-10 minutes).
  • When the pasta is just tender, add the frozen broccoli florets to the boiling water with the pasta, and let it sit for about one minute. Reserve a ¼ cup of the starchy pasta water, then drain the pasta and broccoli in a colander.
  • Return the drained pasta and broccoli to the pot with the burner turned off. Add the butter and ranch seasoning and stir until the butter is melted and everything is coated in the seasoning. If the pasta becomes dry while stirring, add a splash of the reserved pasta water.
  • Finally, season the pasta with salt and pepper to taste. Serve warm.

Nutrition

Serving: 1.5cups | Calories: 296kcal | Carbohydrates: 49g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 7g | Sodium: 567mg | Fiber: 3g
close up of ranch broccoli pasta in a bowl

How to Make Ranch Broccoli Pasta – Step by Step Photos

Boiled pasta and broccoli florets

Bring a large pot of water to a boil for the pasta. Once boiling, add the pasta and continue to boil until the pasta is tender (7-10 minutes). Add the frozen broccoli florets during the last minute of boiling. Reserve a 1/4 cup of the starchy pasta water, then drain the pasta and broccoli in a colander.

butter and ranch seasoning added to the drained pasta and broccoli

Add the drained pasta and broccoli back to the pot (heat turned off) and add 2 Tbsp butter and about 1.5 Tbsp ranch seasoning mix. Stir until the butter is melted and everything is coated in butter and seasoning. If the pasta become dry while stirring, add a splash of the reserved pasta water.

Finished ranch broccoli pasta in the pot with a spatula

Taste the pasta and add salt and pepper to your liking. Serve warm! So simple, so delish. :)

The post Ranch Broccoli Pasta appeared first on Budget Bytes.