My homemade, copycat version of Ruby Tuesday’s pasta salad – rotini pasta, diced ham, peas and green pepper make for the perfect side dish for a summer party! Don’t forget to bring a pitcher of raspberry rosé sangria and the ingredients for some grilled peaches, too.
Generally speaking, I’m not a “chain restaurant” kind of girl. I live for finding little hole in the wall cafes, family-run diners and restaurants that only use locally-grown ingredients.
But I do have a couple exceptions, and the Ruby Tuesday salad bar is one of them. Sweet mother, do I love their salad bar.
On my first pass, I pile my plate high with olives, egg, peas, peppers, carrots and a smidgen of lettuce underneath it all. But on my second pass I load it up with the fruit salad and the pasta salad.
I can’t get enough of the pasta salad – I really don’t even know what it is about it that’s so addictive to me.
The Ruby Tuesday closest to me is… well, not close at all. I got a horrible craving for the pasta salad recently and my only mission was to come up with a copycat recipe (I know, you’re shocked).
And it might not 100% dead on, but this is pretty freaking close.
Tips for making copycat Ruby Tuesday pasta salad
You only need 8 ingredients, most of which you probably have hanging around the house anyway:
- Rotini pasta
- Ranch dressing
- Mayonnaise
- Green bell pepper
- Ham
- Frozen peas
- Salt
- Pepper
Make sure you’re salting the water you’re cooking the pasta in. For 1 pound of pasta (like we’re using in this recipe), add at least 1/2 Tablespoon kosher salt.
Cook the pasta to just a little past al dente. You don’t want it to be mushy from being cooked too long, nor do you want it to be too tough because you didn’t cook it long enough.
Make sure you rinse the pasta in cold water after it’s done cooking. Once you rinse it in cold water, it’s going to stop it from cooking further – so make sure to taste it before you pull it from the heat.
Speaking of the cold water rinse, you don’t need to chill the pasta before dressing it. In fact, that would be doing yourself a disservice! You want to compile the salad with all the ingredients as soon as you can while it can still best absorb the flavors.
Does it matter what brands I use?
Overall, not really. Use whatever brands of ranch dressing and mayonnaise you prefer or have on hand.
For what it’s worth, I usually use Hellmans Real Mayonnaise and Hidden Valley Ranch.
What kind of ham should I use?
I always buy packages of Boar’s Head Boneless Ham Steaks and then dice them. An 8 ounce package is about 2 cups of diced ham.
But if you happened to have a freshly baked ham, you can absolutely use that!
Do I have to use rotini pasta?
To get as close to the real recipe, yes!
But outside of that, definitely not. You could always try it with another “short” pasta shape like fusilli, penne, cavatappi, or elbow macaroni. Nooks and crannies are your friends! Just make sure you’re using dried pasta instead of fresh – it holds up better to pasta salads.
Chilling is essential for the flavor
The hardest part about this recipe is waiting for it to chill before digging in. AND I HATE WAITING.
I’ve had many people comment that it didn’t taste quite right when they taste tested it before chilling it in the fridge – and you’re all completely right.
The flavors don’t meld together to get it just right until after it’s been in the fridge for at least an hour. The good news is that it’s totally worth the wait!
Plus, it’s so easy to make a giant batch to serve at a summer party and it can be prepared ahead of time so that you can worry about more important things the day of the party, like decorations, music and inflating pretzel-shaped pool floats.
… what? That’s just me? Fine.
Description
Ingredients
- 1 pound rotini pasta
- 1 cup ranch dressing
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 green bell pepper, diced (about 1 cup)
- 2 cups ham, cooked and diced (about 1-8 ounce ham steak)
- ½ cup frozen peas
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions, drain, and rinse with cold water. Set aside until completely cooled.1 pound rotini pasta
- In a very large bowl, combine ranch dressing, mayonnaise, salt and pepper.1 cup ranch dressing, 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Add green pepper, ham, peas and stir to combine. Add pasta and stir again to combine.1 green bell pepper, 2 cups ham, 1/2 cup frozen peas
- Cover bowl and place in refrigerator to chill completely.
- Serve cold and enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Make sure you rinse the pasta in cold water after it’s done cooking – this will stop the cooking process completely, and it will help it cool more quickly.
- People have given some AWESOME recommendations in the comments – some from real life former Ruby Tuesday employees. Check them out if you want to make this more authentic – I’m not including them in my recipe card since it wasn’t my idea and I actually love my version as is, and I don’t want to give away their secrets without credit :)
Nutrition Facts
The recipe was originally published in June 2015 and republished in April 2019 with some shiny new pictures.
Karissa
Thank you so much for posting this. You are my hero
Leslie Kiszka
Well I certainly love that title! lol :)
Christine
I have made this more than once and it is great! I make my little tweaks to our taste preferences but the bones of this recipe are awesome. Thanks for the awesome recipe. I’m making it right now!
Leslie Kiszka
That’s awesome, I’m so glad you like it!
Abby Taylor
I made this today using Christmas pasta from Aldi, shaped like Santa, sleighs, etc. I love that the recipe was easy enough fir my 4 year old to do the majority of the work, and it is delicious. Thanks for sharing the recipe!
Sarah H
I am so glad that I found this recipe. I actually substituted regular ranch and mayonnaise for low-calorie versions, and it still came out great. I like more peas in mine though.
Leslie Kiszka
Not gonna lie, I usually end up eyeballing it and adding way more than I call for here if I’m feeling like it :) So glad you liked it!
Nanny13
My family and I Loved the pasta. We use to eat at Ruby Tuesday’s every time we went shopping out of town just to eat the salad bar and pasta! But the closest one to me closed. So thanks so much for the recipe.
Leslie Kiszka
I’m so glad you liked it, thanks so much for leaving a rating and comment!
Fran T
Thank you! This is the one food that my daughter asks for! So glad that I can make it from your recipe!
Leslie Kiszka
So happy you and your daughter like it!
Susie
I can’t eat green peppers and loathe peas. Need good subs for that, thanks!
SusieQ
I can’t eat green peppers and loathe peas. Need good subs for that, thanks!
Leslie Kiszka
Hi Susie! Since those are two of the ingredients in the Ruby Tuesday recipe, I can’t really recommend substitutes since then it wouldn’t be a copycat recipe anymore :) But if you wanted to make this your own, you could omit the peas and maybe sub in some celery for crunch.
Susanne Engman
I would say to cut back on the salt and add more pepper.
Leigh
When we worked at RT, the measurements were in very large commercial batches. We prepped by the pounds and gallons.
RT seasoning has was too much salt, paprika and turmeric for my personal tastes.
The secret ingredient is not Lawry’s, but MSG (or Accent brand) seasoning instead of salt. Just a sprinkle, to taste. I like to use a fresh ranch dressing from the refrigerated section + add only a light splash or two of real buttermilk for flavor, not consistency. I like a pinch of fresh minced garlic & onion… but again, not too much!
Remember, less is more! or Keep it simple!
Diane
What kind of Ranch dressing is used bottled or homemade
Leslie Kiszka
Hi Diane, thanks for the question. As I note in the body of the post, I usually use Hidden Valley Ranch – but you can use whatever you’d like!
Diane
What kind of Ranch blessing g do you use bottled or do you make it
Emily
I’m so excited for this!! My main craving during this pregnancy was ruby tuesdays pasta salad. And now I have have it without leaving my house (which is nice due to covid). It’s SPOT ON. I can’t believe it. Thank you!
Leslie Kiszka
So glad you liked it! Best of luck with your pregnancy <3
Rose
I’m looking for the copycat recipe for ruby tuesday orecchiette pasta salad. Help!
Heather
Surprisingly close to correct! Rather than salt and pepper, we used gsp or fry seasoning. Add dried garlic powder lol
Mary Ann Baker
When you say you use Hidden Valley Ranch are you saying that:
A. You use the Hidden Valley Ranch from a bottle?
OR
B. You make your own? If you make your own please be specific as to how you make it like which packet, which milk and which mayo.
Thanks
Leslie Kiszka
Hi Mary Ann, thanks for asking – no one ever has before, and it never occurred to me that I was being unclear! I’m talking about the bottles of creamy dressing (and not dry mix).
Mary
I just need some clarification, in one spot you mention a 1/2 lb pasta & in the ingredient list you say 1 lb pasta. Which is correct?
Leslie Kiszka
Thank you for catching that, I just corrected it! The recipe is for 1 full pound.
Glenna
What can you use in place of the green peppers? I don’t like them raw but I eat them cooked. Also I was wondering if Miracle whip would work instead of mayo. Has anyone tried it?
Leslie Kiszka
If you’re not a fan of green peppers, you can just leave it out! And I don’t personally use Miracle Whip, but I would say that due to the sugar content in it you’d end up with a slightly different flavor that would be sweeter than the recipe as written. But if you give it a try, I’d love to know how it turns out!
Minnie
@Leslie Kiszka, I don’t like bell peppers either. I’m going to make this with celery for the crunch.
mainostoimisto
Looks nice! I love your webpage ;)
Theresa Hayes
I love Ruby Tuesday and I love the pasta salad even more.
Leslie Kiszka
So happy to hear that!
Sheri
This recipe really does taste like Ruby Tuesday’s. I totally agree that you have to wait for it to chill. Tastes so much better after chilling. Thanks so much for sharing.
Leslie Kiszka
So glad you liked it! Thanks so much for coming back to leave a comment and rating, I really appreciate it.
Gracie
Going to try making for my family Christmas 2021…..
Leslie Kiszka
I hope you loved it!
Gina
All your missing is Ruby Tuesday’s seasoning and it’s perfect! If you are able to go in one just ask to buy a small container of the seasoning and they will for a small price! Also great for other recipes and when cooking meats !
Seana J
Huge fan of the salad bar at Ruby Tuesday, even though I don’t like salads, but I LOVE LOVE their pasta salad! It was my main reason for going, unfortunately they closed near me. I was wondering about the mayo because there is a sweet taste to the pasta salad at Ruby Tuesday. I assumed it was maybe, Miracle Whip? I’m just curious before I attempt to make it myself.
Leslie Kiszka
I don’t use Miracle Whip, so this recipe uses mayonnaise – they might add some sugar to their dressing, but I find it tastes great as written in the recipe card. Hope you like it!
Rebecca
I think it might be the peas you get the sweet taste from. It’s just ranch and mayonnaise and gsp that’s in the dressing.
Rebecca
Also there were as much peas as ham.
Tara
You are a genius for figuring out this copycat recipe. This is going to be on repeat all summer!
Aly
Do you thaw the peas before adding ? Or add them frozen?
Leslie Kiszka
You add them frozen!
Tina
Turned out just like Ruby Tuesday’s. When I tasted it before I refrigerated I was disappointed but, after 3 hours in fridge it was perfect.
Leslie Kiszka
It’s true! Taste testing it before it chills is a different flavor altogether – crazy, right? So glad you liked it in the end – thanks so much for coming back to leave a comment and rating!
Grandma Judy
My granddaughter loves Ruby Tuesday’s pasta. Unfortunately they closed. I’m going to surprise her with at our next get together. Thanks for the recipe!
Leslie Kiszka
That will be such a nice surprise for her!
Katie
I have tried soooo many Ruby Tuesday copy cat pasta salad recipes, I am ready to give up. But, my son loves it, so I am trying yours next. The common problem is the Mayo makes the recipe taste weird. So I am excited to try your recipe, because your mayo to ranch ratio seems good. Is there any specific mayo brand you recommend? Dukes has no sugar and lite can change a recipe. Also, what ranch do you use a buttermilk? Please advise!
Leslie Kiszka
I tend to use Hellmans Real Mayonnaise, and Hidden Valley Ranch. I hope you like it!
Genny
I love this recipe, it’s always a big hit at parties. It tastes just like Ruby’s. Thanks so much!
Leslie Kiszka
Thank you so much for your kind words, I’m so glad you love it!
Jen
Totes love
Amber
What kind of ham do you use?
Leslie Kiszka
Hi, Amber – thanks for stopping by! I usually use boneless ham steaks (just make sure they don’t have any extra flavors added in), and grab 2 packages when I make a batch. Hope this helps!
Barb
Hi Beth, Thanks so much for the info on the seasoning. It’s so sad that you’re old neighbors store closed, but at least something good came from it. I’ve been missing the old queso and Sonora Pasta (the same sauce was used for both), but I can’t find any recipes that even come close. I know it included spinach and sundried tomatoes because I worked for RT from 2000-05, but I was a server so I never found out the actual recipe. Is there anyway you’d be able to help me out? Thanks again and have a great night.
Gina
Spinach con queso ( dip ) RTs brand comes frozen in a bag. Grilled chicken breast sliced with RTs seasoning and diced Roma tomatoes! Fresh cilantro to garnish wonderful!!
George
They have a Ruby Tuesday’s cookbook that has the original recipe in it, including the spices in the seasoning and a recipe for the dressing from scratch. It does have bell peppers and red onion.
Barb
Wow, That’s awesome!! I’d love a recipe book. Can you help me out with the recipe to the Sonora Chicken Pasta/Queso recipe?
Beth
“Ruby seasoning” is salt, garlic salt, onion powder, paprika & black pepper. My old neighbor was an owner of one that wound up shutting down eventually. He relinquished all the recipes to me. Total win!
And, you’re 100% correct, it most definitely has small-diced green pepper.
Seth
Any chance you know the measurements of each spice??
Cathy Thornton
i would love the complete recipe from you. Thanks, Cathy
Anonymous
Hi. Just saw your recipe, I currently work at RT as a Garden Bar Employee and you are missing one ingredient. Rather than salt, we use garlic salt. Your proportions are a little off, but I don’t have the proportions memorized, just the ingredients.
Anonymous
Hey y’all, I used to manage at an RT and this was one of my favorites, here is the recipe. I wish I could find or remember what all made up the “Ruby Seasoning” as it (at least used to be) put on EVERYTHING, the burgers, steaks, chicken breasts, EVERYTHING. I know it was garlic, onion and paprika, but I can’t recall what else:
Yeilds 2 Gallons
Pasta:
2 3/4 lbs of raw rotini pasta
(tossed in 3 TBL of Vegetable oil after cooking)
Salad:
2 1/2 cups of 3/8″ diced Green Peppers
4 cups of thawed green peas
4 cups of turkey ham
Dressing:
2 TBL Ruby Seasoning
3 cups mayonnaise
3 1/2 cups ranch dressing
1/4 cup water
MARTHA MINNEKER
SOOOO!!! WHERE ARE THE DIRECTIONS ON HOW TO MAKE THIS SALAD
WHAT DO YOU DO WITH THE WATER????
Keila Morse
Someone recommended Lawrys season salt. NO! Lawrys contains way too much sugar and it ruined my salad. Stick to the recipe as it’s written here.
Jill Wilber
I was craving this today but not enough to get the entire salad bar. I’m going to make it this week. I never looked up the recipe before but it came right up without a problem! I can’t wait to give it a try!
Leslie Haasch
Yay! I hope you love it!
Tiffany Wilson
I call it Crack Salad because I am thoroughly addicted. I will be making this soon. Very soon. The ranch and Lawry’s are surprises. Are there low-sodium options that could give the same craveable flavor? I know salt make everything taste amazing but in order to eat as much I want I got to watch the salt.
Ichabod weiningstein
I worked there for 4 years, 2 on the salad bar. The only thing you’re missing is a tablespoon of Tabasco.
Joseph Zucchetto
@Ichabod weiningstein, yes this is %100 correct.. and the ruby seasoning is basically seasoning salt
Anonymous
I swear I had no clue this had ranch in it!!! Just blew me away when I saw the ingredients list!! Can’t wait to make this!! Thanks for the recipe!!!
Leslie Haasch
I actually love the flavor as is, but that’s great to know for people who want to be true to the restaurant version!
Anonymous
I worked at Ruby Tuesday for a few years. The ham is actually turkey ham. Might be the flavor profile your missing
Leslie Haasch
This is a cold pasta salad, so I personally wouldn’t recommend that.
Tammy Wine
Have you ever tried add bread crumbs and cheese toss it in the oven until golden brown? I think I might try it thought I would ask if anyone have tried it
lesliehaasch
Haha, you could always leave them out if you wanted!
Kat
I too often crave this pasta salad and can never help myself but to go back for seconds! Thank you so much for posting this; I will be making it this weekend for a BBQ!
Leslie Haasch
I’m so glad you like it!!
Susan
Very good! Thanks for sharing!
Leslie Haasch
Thank you for enjoying! :)
Anonymous
Thanks for the info, my sister and I absolutely love Ruby Tuesday pasta. I was trying to figure the ingredients out to make it for a party.
Leslie Haasch
You’re so welcome!
Leslie Haasch
My pleasure!
Leslie Haasch
I’m so glad you liked it! It’s such a good staple for BBQs :)
Sue
Leslie, you nailed it! I always order the salad bar just so that I can get this pasta salad. I made it tonight, following your recipe and added Lawreys seasoning and it was great! Thanks!
Leslie Haasch
Thank you for the confirmation about the green peppers, Mary! :)
Mary
I served and managed at RTs for over 6 years. I made more batches of the ham and pea pasta than I care to remember. I can tell you they absolutely use green peppers and the seasoning is their fry seasoning(like a seasoning salt with pepper).
Anonymous
What am I supposed to do with the frozen peas? Do I cook them first or add them frozen?
Leslie Haasch
You just add them frozen. They thaw quickly and by the time you’ve let the salad chill in the fridge they’re be the perfect consistency!
Toni Wood
I always pick out the peas
Heather
I just tried this, it tasted really ranch-ie when I tested it, I’m chilling it to hope it mellows out some. They definitely use turkey ham instead of regular ham and my RT always puts green pepper in theirs (I pick it out because of texture issues ????). I also substituted salt/pepper for Johnny’s seasoning (it like lawreys seasoning but with a pepper blend in it).
Alex
What brand of mayo do you use
lesliehaasch
I think at the time I made this post, I had been using Hellmans, but you can use any kind you like!
Debbie K
It still has the green pepper ,had it 2 days ago ???? I love it ,I always pay extra so I can get that salad with my Chicken Bella my other crave from there. Just finished making it for tomorrow !Thank ~You!
Tamura Goldberg
FYI: Ruby Tuesday actually uses Turkey Ham to make it less salty and they use the seasoning that is used on seasoned fries. The key also is to use CHEAP ranch. (nothing thick) I went into Ruby Tuesdays every Friday when I was pregnant because I craved soooo much. I make the salad all the time. Except I have added Red bell pepper to it for color.
lesliehaasch
Thanks for the tips!
kelly smith
Whoops make that HALF A TEASPOON lol, here’s the recipe:http://m.chronicle.augusta.com/life/food/karin-calloway/2010-10-12/simple-recipe-produces-flavorful-pasta-salad#gsc.tab=0
kelly smith
I found another recipe and I’ll tell you what’s missing: it’s Lawrys Seasoning Salt! I was just searching for that recipe and came across yours, I believe it’s a tablespoon you’ll add. If I find that recipe I’ll come back and tell you what it is!
JoyceK
I’m pretty sure theirs doesn’t have green pepper in it. (But I think their potato salad does) A lot of “authentic” recipes I’ve seen for this pasta salad included small cubes of cheese (which I don’t believe is in it either.) I make mine by making ranch dressing using the hidden valley dry mix that uses mayo and milk., and using the package directions, and the whole recipe. Then add more mayo or milk to get consistency you like; but if you add more mayo, add more garlic powder…that is really what makes Ranch Dressing taste so good. The rest of your recipe looks very good!
lesliehaasch
The one I used to go to always included green pepper, but it certainly could have changed since I was there last. Thanks for stopping by!
Anonymous
They do use bell peppers. I worked the salad bar, and had to make the ham & pea pasta. They also used a seasoning mix called Ruby seasoning.
Laura Beth
I too crave Ruby Tuesday’s pasta salad at times. Thank you for sharing the recipe. I’m going to give it a try!
lesliehaasch
Let me know what you think when you do!