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Copycat Ruby Tuesday Pasta Salad
A copycat recipe for Ruby Tuesday Pasta Salad just like they serve on their salad bar! Easy to make with just a few ingredients.
This is one of my most requested recipes whenever we have get-togethers. Doesn’t matter if it’s a summer BBQ, tailgate, or game day in the man cave, this creamy ranch pasta salad is the first empty dish.
Ingredients
Ham
Using pre-diced ham purchased from the store shaves a bit of time off of the preparation. Diced and cubed ham are available at most major grocery stores and I find that it is actually cheaper than other types of ham.
In addition, the pieces of meat are pretty even.
We use this ham for omelets, pasta salads, and recipes that call for leftover ham.
Pasta
Rotini is my preferred pasta for this salad, It holds more dressing than standard elbow macaroni. Any shaped pasta would work for this recipe
Dry Ranch Mix Substitute
Ranch dressing out of a bottle can be used as a substitute for the buttermilk, the dry ranch dressing, and all but 1/2 cup of the mayonnaise.
I prefer the flavor of ranch dressing when I have made it myself with Hidden Valley Ranch dry mix. I suspect most restaurants are doing the same. It’s cheaper this way.
I buy it in the 16-ounce jar size since I use it a lot. Especially during the holidays and tailgate season when I seem to be cranking out spicy pretzels and spiced crackers for entertaining
Directions
- Gather up your ingredients.
- Place the peas in a bowl and allow them to start to thaw while the pasta is cooking.
- Cook the pasta until al dente.
- Drain the pasta in a colander and rinse under cold water until the pasta cooled. Photo 1
- While the pasta is cooling, drain your diced ham on paper towels or a low-lint kitchen towel. Photo 2
- Allow pasta to drain for about 30 minutes.
- Allow pasta to drain for about 30 minutes.
- Add everything except cooked pasta to a bowl. Photo 3
- Stir until well combined and the peas have mostly thawed. Photo 4
- Add the cooled pasta and dressing into a large bowl. Photo 5
- Stir until all the pasta is completely coated with dressing. Photo 6
- Serve immediately, or refrigerate for serving later.
Pro Tips
Make sure to test your pasta before draining off your hot water. Sometimes the opinion at a macaroni factory is different from mine.
Rotini, penne, and bowties all seem to need more than an extra minute, so test at every minute until it’s done.
Rinse the pasta in cold water once it has been drained. Rinse until it is completely cooled.
Rinsing pasta serves 2 purposes. It stops the cooking process and it rinses away the extra starch.
I know you are not supposed to rinse pasta.
Starch has its place in pasta dishes, just not macaroni and pasta salad.
The key to moist and creamy pasta salad is to get rid of all that starch.
The next key is to make sure the pasta is completely cooled. Hot and warm pasta will absorb the liquid.
While the pasta is cooling, drain the diced ham on paper towels to remove some of the salty liquid that the ham was packaged in.
All that extra liquid will make it sloppy and salty.
Even with removing all of the extra starch, you might find that your macaroni salad goes dry after sitting for some time.
It tastes great since all of that flavor got absorbed into the pasta, but it won’t be quite as creamy.
You can add a bit more buttermilk or mayonnaise to the salad. Or you can set some of the dressing aside and mix it in just before serving.
Additions
Cheddar cheese is not part of the original Ruby Tuesday pasta salad, but if you want to add it, about 1/2 of a cup should be plenty. But feel free to add as much as you want.
Some people add diced green peppers. If you want to add them I would recommend that you allow them to dry on paper towels for a bit before adding them to the salad.
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Ranch Pasta Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 16 ounces dry rotini pasta
- 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons mayonnaise not salad dressing
- 6 tablespoons buttermilk
- 1 1/2 tablespoons dry ranch dressing mix
- 1/2 teaspoon season salt
- 8 ounces diced ham patted with a paper towel to remove moisture
- 1 cup frozen green peas
Instructions
- Bring a pot of water to a boil and cook rotini until it is just past al dente.
- Drain into a colander and rinse with cold water until pasta is cool.
- Set pasta aside and allow to dry for about 30 minutes.
- While pasta is cooking, combine mayonnaise, buttermilk, ranch dressing mix, and season salt in a large bowl and mix until combined.
- Add in frozen peas and stir. The peas will thaw a bit during mixing and will finish thawing while pasta cools.
- Add ham and cool, dry rotini and mix until well blended.
- Can be eaten immediately, but flavors will improve by placing into the refrigerator for at least 4 hours.
Notes
- 1/2 cup diced green peppers and/or 2 cups of grated cheddar cheese can be added.
- 1 1/2 cups of Ranch dressing from a bottle, along with 1/2 cup of mayonnaise can be used as a replacement for the mayonnaise, buttermilk, and dry ranch dressing mix. The flavor will be a bit altered.
- Flavors improve with refrigeration.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and may vary based on exact ingredients used. For accuracy, consult a registered dietitian or nutritionist.
This recipe needs sour cream. I added a half of a cup and a tsp of minced onion and then it reminded me of the taste from Ruby Tuesday I remember.
Hi Ms. Lori!
Thanks for stopping by and letting us know your additions! I bet adding sour cream definitely made it creamier!
I just made it. Very good. Would probably make it again. I added a diced up block of cheddar cheese…I’m sure it’ll taste better tomorrow. I would recommend. Nice for the ⛱️ summer !
Hi Christina!
Thanks for stopping by again to let us know your changes and that you might make it again.
I made this recipe, but halved it. I also added some Italian seasoning to it, the green pepper and cheese. I think cherry tomatoes and or cucumbers would be good. Very good and easy to make.
Thank you,
Marie
Hi Marie!
Thanks for visiting again to let us know you liked it and how you changes went!
What can you use to just replace the buttermilk
Hi Desiree!
You can use regular milk. We use buttermilk to give our ranch dressing more of a restaurant taste. You can even use bottled dressing, my crew just doesn’t like the flavor of it.
Cheers!
Hi Beth! I’m fixin to make this for my son’s karate potluck Christmas party and so excited to see the outcome..
(Minus the peas ).
Just curious thou.. What seasoned salt is the recipe calling for? I’ve been reading all the reviews for anyone to mention the salt bc I’m soo confused what to use .
Could you help before I start making this ?
MUCH APPRECIATED!
Devon
Hi Devon!
I use Lawry’s Season Salt. It is the orange colored salt. There are other brands, that one is just my favorite. I wouldn’t rush out to the store to buy any if you don’t have some. It adds just a little extra something that you might not even miss if you’ve never made it with the seasoned salt before. Just give a tase and add a touch of regular salt if it needs some. Hope this helps!
Excellent used the bottle ranch dressing. Everyone loved it.
Hi Pat!
Thanks for visiting again and leaving a review! Happy to hear it turned out!
Thank you! Ruby Tuesday copycat indeed! I’ve been searching for that recipe for a few years now. I’m so glad I wound up here!
It’s definitely the one closest to the original of the 5 that I’ve tried. I think the key is the buttermilk, none of the others had that.
This is the one I’m sticking with whenever I get a craving for that salad. It’s delicious and so easy to make!
Hi Anne!
Thanks for visiting again! I agree with you about buttermilk. I’m picky about my ranch dressing. I don’t like the bottled stuff at all. Lately I’ve been buying the “restaurant style” dry packets. Those are even better!
Happy Friday!
I make this and add onions, green pepper, bacon and diced Colby Jack cheese! It’s wonderful!
Hi Cheryl!
Those additions sound yummy!
the dry ranch is it the seasoning pack or the dip0
Hi Nancy!
You can use either, I prefer the dressing mix that says “Restaurant Style” though. Hope this helps!
I’ve made this pasta salad twice and my family loves it! The next time I make it I think I’ll add a cup of crumbled bacon just because we love bacon
Hi Carol!
Bacon ranch pasta salad sounds amazing!
I made this recipe and it turned out delicious! Can’t wait to make it again.
Hi Carol!
I’m really glad you liked it! Thanks for visiting again and letting me know.
Cheers!
Excellent recipe!! I made a little more dressing than the recipe called for. So delicious and spot on to Ruby’s!
Thanks Kate for swinging by again to leave a review! I’m glad you liked it. Cheers!
I used to work at Ruby Tuesday’s there is bell peppers in the pasta salad too
Made this for a camping side!! Loved it! Something quick and tasty! Goes with everything and eat alone! Thanks for recipe!
Hi Rebekah!
Thanks for visiting again! I am so glad that you liked the recipe!
Cheers
Made it tonight served with grilled salmon. I didn’t have cubed ham to add, but it was still good. Did you grow up in Winston-Salem, NC by chance?
Hi Wendy!
I’m glad you liked it! I’ve never lived in North Carolina. I grew up in Kankakee, Illinois, about 60 miles south of Chicago. I’ve lived in Florida, Mississippi, and now call Oklahoma home.
Cheers!
Hi Beth!
Can I make the dressing ahead of time and mix it together later. Like a day or 2?
Hi Heather!
The dressing will be fine in the refrigerator for up to a week, the same as homemade ranch dressing. It’s better to do it this way than to mix it all together ahead of time.
Enjoy!
Hi! this recipe looks great! i worked at Ruby Tuesday’s in college and one thing i remember about this recipe is the company actually made it with turkey…. I can’t wait to try this! thanks so much for sharing!
Hi MK!
I would love to hear your thoughts about it after you make it.
Cheers!
I followed your recipe to a tee! It was delicious. Then I made a half recipe using the Ken’s buttermilk dressing, like the previous comment said the restaurant used. Thank goodness it was a half recipe, it was awful! PLEASE, people, stick to original recipe!
I’m sorry you didn’t have success with your second try. I know that ranch dressing can be hit or miss, but I’m so happy to hear that you liked the original! Thanks for sharing.
Yes, I loved the original. It will be my go to for family get togethers! Thank you
I worked at Ruby Tuesday for 6 years. I will share that the ranch that went into this dish was Ken’s brand ranch. Also, green bell pepper was always in the pasta as well.
Hi JR!
Thanks for sharing your insider information! I’ll give the Ken’s a try next time I make it.
Be Safe!
I tried this recipe ti have with burgers and brats! It turned iut pretty awesome! I added onions to it and had to get a dried buttermilk as the store was out if buttermilk in the dairy section!! It was so creamy and I’m a ranch freak anyway! Never been to Ruby Tuesday but i would love this on a salad bar!! Thank you so much for sharing!!☺
Hi Stacey!
Thanks for stopping by and leaving a review! I’m really glad to hear you liked it! It’s one of my favorite pasta salads.
Cheers!
Tastes nothing like Ruby Tuesday’s pasta salad. The ranch dressing overwhelms all the other ingredients. You taste only the ranch dressing.
Hi Rose!
I’m sorry you didn’t like it. My guests ask for more dressing sometimes.
Cheers!
I substituted cashews for the peas. Not exactly the same it delicious!
Hi Nancy!
I bet cashews were pretty tasty in this!
Cheers!
What if I don’t have buttermilk?
Hi Brianna!
Add Briana! You could use regular milk or you can add a teaspoon of lemon juice or vinegar to the salad.
Hope this helps!
Sounds like a great copycat!! I cannot wait to make this soon. Thx for posting
I did try this and is close but I think I’m off on something, I used Cains mayonnaise and that’s the taste that stood out. What mayonnaise brand so you suggest?
Hi Catherine!
Hellman’s is my mayonnaise of choice. Hope this helps.
Cheers!
Sounds yummy. Can I use canned peas instead of frozen?!
Hi Amanda!
I don’t see why not if the peas are drained really well. They will just be a bit mushy compared to lightly cooked frozen peas.
Cheers!
Where can I find your Italian pasta salad recipe? Please
I’m sorry, we don’t currently have an Italian pasta salad available. We have an Italian Dressing recipe, a macaroni salad recipe, and the ranch pasta salad recipe like Ruby Tuesday.
Wow…. so simple and not to mention tasted great. I did use Italian seasoning as I love it. I just made a post on my blog but mine had mushrooms.
Hi Nelly!
Thanks for stopping by! I just looked at your Italian Pasta Salad and it looks amazing! I might need to make that before summer is over!
Cheers!
If I use bottle ranch dressing, what would the measurements be?Sus
Hi Susan!
Thanks for stopping by! I would start with 1 1/2 cups of salad dressing. My favorite bottle ranch dressing is made by Ken’s, use the buttermilk version! I would still add the seasoning salt too.
Cheers!
how much ranch if i use from the bottle?
Hi Heather!
Start with 1 1/2 cups and add more if needed.
Hope this helps!
Made this today and it came out really good ,our ruby Tuesday closed near me and im pregnant and craving their pasta saladdefinitely close to the real thing! Thank you!
Hi Sabrina!
Thanks for stopping by and leaving us a 5-star review!
I’m glad the recipe cured your craving!!
This looks nothing like a salad, but I’m still curious to try the recipe ’cause it sure looks delicious!
Hi Kelly!
Thanks for visiting and leaving a comment!
It is delicious! We have eaten more than our fair share this summer!
Do I need to lessen any of the other ingredients if I omit the ham?
Don’t eat much meat, so prefer not to have it
Hi Mary!
You can omit the ham without changing the other ingredients.
Hope this helps!