Copycat Ruby Tuesday Pasta Salad Recipe (2024)

On the Ruby Tuesday salad bar, you’ll find a unique pasta salad that is very flavorful and delicious. I’ve put together this awesome copycat Ruby Tuesday pasta salad recipe so that we can enjoy this great dish at home!


You can make your favorite restaurant recipes at home with these R uby Tuesday Copycat Recipes.


There’s nothing quite like eating out…except when you can eat at home and still enjoy your favorite flavors! This copycat Ruby Tuesday pass salad is tasty and super simple to make!

Copycat Ruby Tuesday Pasta Salad Recipe (1)

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Copycat Ruby Tuesday Pasta Salad Recipe

Whenever we go to Ruby Tuesday I enjoy their salad bar! It’s always a welcome start to a great meal and I love that they include options like pasta salad, potato salad, and a variety of other options apart from the traditional salad toppings.

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What do I need to make this pasta salad recipe?

Most of the ingredients you need for this tasty recipe you can easily pick up or you might already have them on hand. There’s nothing like a tasty pasta salad recipe to make any meal more festive.

  • Rotini pasta
  • Mayonnaise
  • Buttermilk
  • Dry ranch dressing mix
  • Diced ham,
  • Frozen green peas
  • Salt & pepper to taste

It might be surprising that you can whip up this delicious Ruby Tuesday pasta salad without any crazy ingredients but it’s true…you can make this at home with things you might already have on hand!

As always you can find the full amounts and ingredients in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post which also includes nutritional info, shopping links and more!

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How to make a copycat Ruby Tuesday pasta salad:

Let’s get ready and dive into this simple recipe. Here are the step by step instructions so you can see just how simple it is to whip up a batch of Ruby Tuesday ham and pea pasta salad to share.

This recipe is great for parties, family gatherings, and more. You’ll love how easy it is to make and everyone else will love how delicious and indulgent this pasta salad is when complete.

Be warned…once you bring it to one family function it’ll be your assigned dish from here on out!

In a large bowl combine the mayonnaise, buttermilk & ranch dressing mix. Stir until it’s all well combined.

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Next we need to add the ham!

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Get your favorite mixing spoon and mix everything well.

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Add in the frozen peas and stir to combine.

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We can’t forget the pasta! Slowly add in the cooked rotini pasta while mixing.

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Take a taste and add salt and/or pepper to your liking.

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Place the finished pasta salad in the refrigerator for 2 hours before serving.

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Try out all of these pasta salad recipes if you need some more inspiration for enjoyable party and meal prep recipes!

Kitchen essentials for tasty recipes from Ruby Tuesday:

When you head into the kitchen to make some of these great recipes you’ll want to have the best tools on hand.

I like half sheet baking pans that are quality (hello no noisy pops or sloshed cookie dough from twisting), I line my cookie sheets with silicone baking mats. These are great for all kinds of baking and not just cookies! My husband loves them for making biscuits, pizzas, and more!

Of course mixing bowls, a mixer, spatula, and some whisks should be on your list if you don’t have ones that you love. I also like to have a set of cooling racks so that my recipes can properly cool before they’re scarfed down by my family!

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Do I have to use frozen peas?

Yes! Canned peas are going to be too soft and mushy and they’ll just breakdown.

You could also use fresh peas I suppose just blanch them and then include them! The frozen peas are the easiest option and they’re readily available so that’s the simplest choice in my opinion.

Also, using the frozen peas just makes life so much easier. You don’t have to worry about cooking them and you don’t have to worry about them getting mushed. Fresh ones will work fine as well but they require an extra step. Save yourself the hassle and just use the frozen ones!

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Can I meal prep with this pasta salad recipe?

You can definitely meal prep with this great pasta salad recipe. It comes together really quickly and tastes great.

It will hold up well in the fridge for about a week with no issues. I like to make this recipe for parties and family gatherings.

If you make it in advance just give it a good stir before serving and you will be all set. I like to make this one for meal prep because I can have some at lunch with no reheating required. Great for busy days on the go.

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My copycat Ruby Tuesday pasta salad recipe is great for lunches throughout the week. It’s not difficult to put into containers so you can grab one on the way out the door in the morning!

A great recipe to make those busy weekdays a little easier and even those nights spent on the sidelines at sporting events, etc.

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Do you have any other delicious recipes for me to try?

I absolutely do! There are so many delicious recipes here at Cook Clean Then Repeat that I don’t know how to choose just a few…but I’ll do my best! Here’s a few of my favorites!

You won’t want to miss out on these other pasta salads and easy recipes that we love to share. Check out Orzo Pasta Salad, Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad, Mango Pineapple Smoothie Bowl, Incredible Loaded Baked Potato Salad, Easy Turkey Tacos With Fresh Toppings and Homemade Seasoning, Easy Homemade Pico De Gallo, Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cheesecake Recipe, and even Cheesesteak Stuffed Peppers You Can’t Live Without.

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If you love Ruby Tuesday recipes try out some of these other classics:

For those of you who like Ruby Tuesday recipes you won’t want to miss out on some of the other classics that we’ve debunked and shared Copycat version of below!

Try out Ruby Tuesday Copycat Recipes (all the recipes in one spot) or Ruby Tuesday Mashed Cauliflower Recipe, Ruby Tuesday Apple Salad, Ruby Tuesday Potato Cheese Soup Recipe, Ruby Tuesday White Chicken Chili, Ruby Tuesday Biscuits, Ruby Tuesday Broccoli Salad, Ruby Tuesday Baked Potato Salad Recipe, Ruby Tuesday Mashed Potatoes Recipe, Ruby Tuesday Ranch Dressing Recipe, and Ruby Tuesday Macaroni and Cheese.

There are so many great Ruby Tuesday recipes that you can make at home. No need to head out to the restaurant if you have all of these meals on hand to try.

I especially love it because we don’t live close to a Ruby Tuesday. I can enjoy all my favorite classics from the restaurant without having to leave the house!

Printable Ruby Tuesday Pasta Salad Recipe:

Copycat Ruby Tuesday Pasta Salad Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What are the five mistakes to avoid pasta salad? ›

5 Mistakes to Avoid When Making Pasta Salad
  • Using the wrong pasta. The wrong pasta type or size can make pasta salad soggy, slimy, or just plain hard to eat. ...
  • Salting only once, at the end. ...
  • Too many raw ingredients! ...
  • Overdressing or underdressing the salad. ...
  • Not seasoning again just before serving.

Is it best to make pasta salad the day before? ›

For storing: After I make this pasta salad, whether making it ahead or storing leftovers, I just pop it in the fridge and it will keep for 2-3 days. For making ahead: I love to make pasta salad 12-24 hours ahead of time. This gives it time to absorb the dressing but not get mushy!

Why does pasta salad taste better the next day? ›

The pasta, vegetables, and cheeses get time to absorb the dressing and take on additional flavor. They absorb the seasoning from the dressing, ensuring every bite is as flavorful as possible.

How do you make pasta salad not soggy? ›

Cook the pasta al dente: Al dente pasta is firmer and less likely to become mushy or soggy when mixed with other ingredients. Rinse the pasta with cold water after cooking: This helps to remove excess starch and cool the pasta, which can help to prevent it from becoming soggy.

Should I rinse pasta when making pasta salad? ›

If you're making a dish that will be served chilled or at room temp—think cold soba, rice noodles, pasta salad—you do want to rinse so that you get toothsome (sorry) individual strands rather than one big gummy clump. Certain types of noodles benefit from a rinse in almost all applications.

Does pasta need to cool before making pasta salad? ›

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Prepare the pasta according to the package directions, or cook slightly more than al dente. Drain pasta, do not rinse, and toss with ½ cup of the prepared dressing in a large shallow bowl. Let cool for at least 15 minutes until pasta reaches room temperature.

Why does my pasta salad taste weird? ›

Vinegar and other acidic ingredients do strange things to the flavor of pasta when used in salad-level amounts. Ever notice an irritating acerbic aftertaste just about every time you've eaten pasta salad? That's the vinegar announcing itself, and it's not pleasant.

Should you rinse pasta with cold water? ›

Do Not Rinse. Pasta should never, ever be rinsed for a warm dish. The starch in the water is what helps the sauce adhere to your pasta. The only time you should ever rinse your pasta is when you are going to use it in a cold dish like a pasta salad or when you are not going to use it immediately.

Can you eat 4 day old pasta salad? ›

Refrigerated pasta salad can generally last for 3-5 days if stored properly in an airtight container. However, its flavor and texture might start to decline after the first couple of days. Ingredients like vegetables and herbs can lose their freshness, leading to a reduction in flavor quality over time.

Why do salads always taste better in restaurants? ›

1. Restaurants use really good ingredients. Your ingredients can decide whether your salad turns out average or extraordinary, Jamie Simpson, executive chef liaison at The Chef's Garden, told Allrecipes. "Restaurant-quality salads start with restaurant-quality ingredients," he said.

When should you throw out pasta salad? ›

For the most part, pasta salad will last between 4 to 7 days if you store it correctly. Always use sealed containers or freezer-quality storage bags. (You can also freeze it for up to three months – you can read more on freezing pasta salad in the section below.)

How do you moisten pasta salad? ›

Be sure to use enough mayonnaise or dressing to thoroughly coat the noodles. It's going to look like too much when you first make it, but the pasta does absorb some of it as it chills. If your leftovers seem a bit dry after a day or two, simply stir in a little more dressing or mayo to liven them back up!

What is the best olive oil for pasta salad? ›

If you prefer an oil-based pasta salad over a mayo-based pasta salad, using quality, flavorful oil is key. You can't go wrong with California Olive Ranch's extra virgin olive oil.

Should you run pasta under cold water for pasta salad? ›

The starch in the water is what helps the sauce adhere to your pasta. The only time you should ever rinse your pasta is when you are going to use it in a cold dish like a pasta salad or when you are not going to use it immediately. In those cases, rinsing the pasta helps to stop the cooking process.

What are the seven things that you should not do when preparing the salad? ›

Common Salad Mistakes
  1. Here are seven things you should NOT do when making salads: Too much dressing. ...
  2. Pouring on the dressing. ...
  3. Wet salad leaves. ...
  4. Not seasoning it. ...
  5. Subpar salad dressings. ...
  6. Uncreative toppings. ...
  7. Served in a bowl.
May 13, 2013

When creating a salad what 5 factors should you consider? ›

But today, I am going to teach you how to make a salad without using a recipe so you, too, can become a salad artist. Sound like a deal? There are five elements to a perfect salad: greens, sweetness, creaminess, crunchiness, and dressing.

What is necessary to avoid when making fresh pasta? ›

15 Mistakes To Avoid When Making Fresh Pasta
  1. Not using the well method to mix your pasta. ...
  2. Using the wrong type of flour. ...
  3. Using too many egg whites. ...
  4. Not using the correct dry-to-wet ingredient ratio. ...
  5. Not adding semolina. ...
  6. Under-kneading your pasta dough. ...
  7. Forgetting to rest your pasta dough. ...
  8. Rolling out your pasta by hand.
Feb 1, 2023

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