COPYCAT RUBY TUESDAY PASTA SALAD (2024)

Copycat Ruby Tuesday Pasta Salad is simple pasta salad with ham, peas, peppers topped with a creamy ranch dressing that adds the perfect flavor! Pasta salad just like you get at Ruby Tuesday’s restaurant!

This peas and pasta recipe is a must-try for anyone who loves pasta salad. With its creamy dressing, flavorful veggies, and protein-packed ham, it’s sure to be a hit with everyone who tries it. Give this pasta salad with ham a try and see for yourself why it’s so loved!

Chilled Pasta Salad- Great for any Occasion!

The base of this salad is rotini noodles, which provide a perfect texture for the creamy dressing to cling to. The dressing is made with mayonnaise, buttermilk, ranch seasoning, and pepper, giving it a smooth and tangy flavor. The addition of frozen green peas and diced green bell pepper adds color and crunch to the dish, making it look as good as it tastes.

Whether it’s a family gathering, a potluck, or a picnic, this chilled pasta salad is sure to please. With its tangy dressing, colorful veggies, and savory ham, it’s a dish that everyone will love!

Why You’ll Love This Pasta Salad Recipe

• Simple steps. With just a few simple ingredients, you can whip up a delicious and satisfying dish in no time. The basic ingredients work together to create a flavorful dressing that perfectly complements the pasta and veggies.
• Versatile recipe. Another great thing about this recipe is how customizable it is. You can easily swap out the ham for chicken or bacon, or add in other veggies like carrots or cherry tomatoes. Plus, it’s a great way to use up any leftover veggies or meat you have in your fridge.
• Healthy option. Not only is this pasta salad delicious and easy to make, but it’s also a healthier alternative to many other pasta salads out there. With the addition of green peas and green bell pepper, you get a healthy dose of veggies in every bite. Plus, you can use low-fat mayonnaise and buttermilk to cut down on the calories and fat.

Ingredients for Copycat Ruby Tuesday Pasta Salad

Pasta: For the base of this recipe you will need one 16-oz package of rotini noodles.

Mayonnaise: Add 1 ½ cups of mayonnaise for the smooth and creamy dressing recipe.

Buttermilk: Using ¼ cup of buttermilk (or sour cream) helps thicken up the salad dressing and gives it a slightly tangy taste.

Ranch seasoning: You need 2 TBSP of Ranch seasoning (the dry stuff) to flavor this dressing well.

Pepper: Adding ½ tsp of pepper gives the salad just a subtle kick of spice.

Peas: 1 cup of frozen green peas is the perfect healthy addition and pop of color to this pasta salad.

Bell pepper: For more vibrant color and amazing taste, add ½ cup of green bell pepper, diced.

Ham: Use an 8-oz package of ham, diced, for some protein in this delicious pasta dish.

How to make Ruby Tuesday’s Pasta Salad

Prep

Get started by cooking the pasta according to the package instructions. Then rinse it with cold water and drain (very) well, set it aside.

Also, dice the bell pepper and ham into small bite sized pieces and set it all aside for a future step. If the ham has excess moisture, pat it dry with a paper towel.

Dressing

In a small mixing bowl, add the mayonnaise, buttermilk (or sour cream), Ranch seasoning, and pepper. Using a spoon or whisk, mix until all is thoroughly combined.

Assemble

Next, in a separate large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, frozen peas, diced bell pepper, and ham. Stir to combine.

Proceed to pour the dressing over the pasta mixture and stir until all ingredients are evenly coated.

Chill

After that, cover the bowl and place in the refrigerator to chill for at least an hour.

This pasta salad is best served chilled, it allows the flavors to meld and the peas time to thaw. Enjoy!

Variations of this Copycat Pasta Salad Recipe

Looking to switch things up with this Copycat Ruby Tuesday Pasta Salad recipe? There are plenty of ways to customize it to your liking. Here are a few variations to consider:

Vegetarian Option: For a meatless version of this pasta salad, simply omit the ham and add in some extra veggies. Try adding diced carrots, cherry tomatoes, or even roasted red peppers for some added color and flavor.

Gluten-Free Option: To make this recipe gluten-free, swap out the regular rotini noodles for a gluten-free pasta option. There are plenty of great gluten-free pasta brands available these days, so finding a suitable substitute should be easy.

Spicy Option: If you’re a fan of spice, consider adding in some diced jalapenos or crushed red pepper flakes to the dressing mixture. This will give the pasta salad a nice kick of heat without overpowering the other flavors.

How long is left over pasta salad good for?

If you have leftovers of this delicious dish, they should be stored in an airtight container in the fridge. If stored properly, the pasta salad will be good for 4-5 days. Give it a good stir before reserving again to mix the dressing well again.

What are the essential ingredients for making a pasta salad similar to Ruby Tuesday’s?

To make a pasta salad similar to Ruby Tuesday’s, you will need rotini noodles, mayonnaise, buttermilk, Ranch seasoning, pepper, frozen green peas, green bell pepper, and diced ham. These ingredients are essential in replicating the taste and texture of the popular restaurant’s pasta salad.

Can you suggest an alternative to store-bought Ranch seasoning?

Yes, you can make your own Ranch seasoning by mixing together dried parsley, dill, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. This homemade seasoning blend will give your pasta salad a similar flavor to the store-bought version.

Common mistakes to avoid when preparing a pasta salad

One common mistake to avoid when preparing a pasta salad is overcooking the noodles. Overcooked noodles can become mushy and lose their shape, resulting in a less appealing texture. Another mistake to avoid is not chilling the salad for long enough before serving. Chilling the salad for at least an hour allows the flavors to meld together and gives the salad a refreshing, cool taste.

Check out more of our favorite and delicious salad recipes here:

• Fiesta Ranch Chicken Pasta Salad
• Fancy Fruit Salad
• Orange Cream Fruit Salad
• Easy Chicken Salad Recipe
• Chicken Pasta Salad
• Cranberry Jello Salad
• Tropical Jello Pretzel Salad
• Creamy Orange Fruit Salad
• Berry Spinach Salad
• Copycat KFC Coleslaw recipe
• Garden Vegetable Caprese Salad
• Spinach Chicken Pasta Salad
• Pizza Pasta Salad
• Chinese Chicken Salad
• Berries and Cream Salad
• Cream Cheese Grape Salad
• Cranberry Jello Salad

Copycat Ruby Tuesday Pasta Salad is a flavorful and wonderful dish that is sure to be a hit at any event or family dinner. Make this creamy pasta salad recipe easily with simple ingredients such as peas, bell peppers, mayonnaise, ranch seasoning, buttermilk, and pepper.