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  4. Yes, It's OK to Love Ranch as a Grown-Up

Yes, It's OK to Love Ranch as a Grown-Up

By Andrea Beck
December 23, 2015
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Ranch dressing isn't just for kids! Ranch can be enjoyed by adults, too, and is much more versatile than you might think. Ranch can be the perfect addition to appetizers, side dishes, and even main courses. It's not just for children, and it's not just for dipping. It's OK to love ranch as an adult—it really is! So stock up on the ranch seasoning and sauce, and get in the kitchen today.
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Low-Cal Crispy Chicken Nuggets with Cilantro Ranch Dressing

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Don’t worry—we’re giving you permission to love chicken nuggets as a grown-up, too. To upgrade this classic from childhood staple to adult indulgence, make your own ranch dressing with fresh cilantro mixed in. From there, it’s super easy to cut up a few chicken breasts into nuggets, coat them with bread crumbs, and bake.

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Air-Fryer Pickle Chips

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Looking for a healthier alternative to fried pickles? Just grab your air fryer! Instead of frying in oil, these pickle chips get the crispy, crunchy coating from a quick trip to the air fryer, so you can snack on them guilt-free. And, of course, fried pickles always need a dipping sauce—this one is made with creamy ranch dressing and spicy sriracha.

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Buffalo-Ranch Macaroni and Cheese

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You might not be able to spot the ranch just by glancing at this slow cooker mac and cheese, but you’ll definitely taste it! This simple five-ingredient supper takes everything we love about gooey macaroni and gives it a mouthwatering upgrade. In addition to cheese and pasta, ranch seasoning mix and spicy cayenne pepper sauce make this dinner even more delish than the classic.

  • Mac attack! Check out these other cheesy recipes.

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Butterhead Salad with Smoky Ranch

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Ranch dressing and salads are obviously a match made in heaven, but instead of reaching for a bottle, just make your own! Including the time needed to make the dressing, this simple salad can be tossed together in just 20 minutes. Plus, you can store any leftover ranch in the fridge for up to a week afterward. (Goodbye, store-bought dressing!)

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Ranch Deviled Eggs

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Deviled eggs, meet ranch dressing. To add a taste of your favorite dressing to the appetizer table, mix in dry ranch dressing mix with the yolks, yogurt, and green onion. Then use this dressed-up mix to fill egg whites, jalapeño peppers, and roma tomatoes for a new and tasty take on classic deviled eggs.

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Fiesta Lime Chicken

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This chicken recipe is a full-on fiesta! Let it marinate for a few hours before grilling, then cover it in a delicious mix of ranch dressing and lime seasoning. To take this chicken recipe to the next level, add melted cheese and serve with Spanish rice.

  • Need a little more spice? Check out these quick and healthy Mexican recipes!

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BLT Pasta Salad

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This easy pasta salad tastes just like the favorite sandwich. A mix of bow tie pasta, romaine lettuce, crispy bacon, and cherry tomatoes bring BLT flavors, while creamy ranch dressing and mayo transform it into a yummy pasta salad. Take this salad to a summer picnic for a much quicker way to serve up BLTs to a crowd.

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Pizza Cake

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If you can’t resist dipping a slice of pizza into a cup of ranch, then this extreme pizza cake is for you! The layers of dough and classic toppings like mozzarella cheese, pepperoni, sausage, and mushrooms are delicious all on their own, but this recipe becomes next-level when you drizzle ranch dressing on top of your slice. If you have a family of ranch-lovers, you can drip it over the entire cake, or just let everyone squiggle as much as they want on their own slice.

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Buffalo Cauliflower

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Want a lighter alternative to buffalo wings? These cauliflower bites have all the spicy flavor of classic wings, but you’ll sneak in a serving of veggies instead. Just like any other buffalo snacks, these cauliflower "wings" are at their best when dipped in creamy ranch dressing.

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Make-It-Mine Slow Cooker Party Mix

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When you make this easy mix, your snacks will be the life of the party. You can mix and match your cereal, nuts, and seasonings. (We’re definitely going to make the version with dry ranch seasoning!) Plus, you can make it right in your slow cooker. Party snacks don’t get much easier than this!

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Fajita-Ranch Chicken Wraps

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Want a way to make chicken fajitas extra creamy and delicious? When the chicken and peppers are fresh out of your skillet, toss them with ranch dressing for a wrap recipe that magically makes fajitas even tastier than usual. Add fresh salsa and cheddar cheese before wrapping the mix in a tortilla, and this easy recipe gets even yummier.

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Potato Salad with Country Ranch Dressing

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This easy potato salad recipe is a mix of classic ingredients and new twists. Give this dish an extra kick by mixing ranch dressing mix and a dash of cayenne pepper into the mayo—it’ll be just as creamy as classic potato salad but with even more flavor. Classic red potatoes and hard-cooked eggs also play a role in this recipe, and it’s dressed up even further with avocado and corn.

  • Try these other potluck-perfect potato salad recipes!

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Avocado Ranch Tuna Melts

Credit: Karla Konrad
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Put a slightly new spin on a classic tuna melt by topping it with ranch dressing. To be more specific, we mixed trendy mashed avocado with ranch dressing and broccoli slaw to top off creamy tuna salad. Anything else you add to this open-face sandwich is up to you, but we like to keep it simple with melted cheddar cheese and a pickle spear.

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Ranch Pork Roast

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Let this pork roast cook low and slow in your slow cooker all day long, and you'll walk in the door at the end of the day greeted with a mouthwatering dinner. You can cook red potatoes right alongside the roast, so you’ll also have a yummy side dish ready to go. And the best part? The whole thing is covered in creamy, craveable ranch sauce.

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Creamy Ranch Chicken

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Chicken, bacon, and ranch (one of the tastiest food trios out there!) all play a part in this 30-minute pasta recipe. Dry ranch dressing mix gives the creamy sauce extra flavor, while chicken and bacon add protein and deliciousness. You can finish with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese on top if you'd like, but this indulgent recipe may not need it.

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1 of 15 Low-Cal Crispy Chicken Nuggets with Cilantro Ranch Dressing
2 of 15 Air-Fryer Pickle Chips
3 of 15 Buffalo-Ranch Macaroni and Cheese
4 of 15 Butterhead Salad with Smoky Ranch
5 of 15 Ranch Deviled Eggs
6 of 15 Fiesta Lime Chicken
7 of 15 BLT Pasta Salad
8 of 15 Pizza Cake
9 of 15 Buffalo Cauliflower
10 of 15 Make-It-Mine Slow Cooker Party Mix
11 of 15 Fajita-Ranch Chicken Wraps
12 of 15 Potato Salad with Country Ranch Dressing
13 of 15 Avocado Ranch Tuna Melts
14 of 15 Ranch Pork Roast
15 of 15 Creamy Ranch Chicken

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