This copycat of Ruby Tuesday’s Ham and Pea Pasta Salad is excellent. It closely matches the restaurant version and makes a wonderful cold pasta salad for picnics, barbecues, potlucks, or any gathering.
This type of pasta salad is traditionally enjoyed in warm months since it’s served chilled, but it’s so good we make it year-round.
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What makes this recipe so yummy
- Ready in about 15 minutes — quick to prepare.
- Most ingredients are pantry or fridge staples.
- Has the familiar, crowd-pleasing flavor of the Ruby Tuesday salad bar.
- Makes a versatile side dish to pair with many entrees.
- A classic and reliable barbecue side.
Groceries you’ll need: Ingredients
See recipe card at the bottom of this post for quantities.
Recipe walkthrough: Instructions
This is an overview of the steps. Refer to the recipe card at the end for exact measurements and details.
Hint: Ham can vary in saltiness—taste before adding and adjust seasoning accordingly.
Recipe variations and substitute ideas
- Sour Cream — swap for buttermilk for a thicker, tangy dressing.
- Bell Peppers — add diced green or red pepper for color and crunch.
- Parmesan — grate in a little for savory depth.
- Red Onion — finely chopped for extra bite.
- Prepared Ranch Dressing — use instead of dry ranch mix plus buttermilk.
- Artichoke Hearts — chopped tender hearts add a pleasant tang.
- Sharp Cheddar — shredded cheddar for a cheesy twist.
- Blue Cheese — crumbled for bold flavor.
- Tortilla Chips — crushed on top just before serving for crunch.
- Chicken — swap chopped cooked chicken breasts for ham.
- Garlic Salt — add sparingly for more flavor.
- Fresh Broccoli — small florets add texture and nutrition.
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Necessary gear: Equipment
You’ll need a pot for cooking pasta, a colander to drain it, and a large mixing bowl with a whisk. A serving bowl and salad utensils make presentation easy.
The recipe card below includes links to items if you want recommendations.
More pasta salad recipes I think you’ll love
- Tuna Pasta Salad
- Late Summer Pasta Salad
- Summer Pesto Pasta Salad
- KFC Macaroni Salad Recipe (Copycat)
- Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
- Italian Pasta Salad
How to store leftovers
Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Because the dressing contains mayonnaise, freezing is not recommended; thawing alters the texture.
About The Author
Melanie Cagle
Melanie is a professional food photographer and home cook with a love for Cajun flavors. Since 2020 she has shared tested recipes and tutorials on this blog.
Her work has appeared on national outlets and she recently competed on Food Network’s “100 Cooks”.
Mel’s kitchen notes
Like most pasta salads, the flavors meld and improve after a few hours or overnight—making it ideal for make-ahead serving.
Frequently asked questions: FAQs
Ruby Tuesday is an American restaurant chain known for its salad bar and casual menu items.
Yes—when making a cold pasta salad, rinsing the pasta under cold water stops cooking and prevents the dressing from becoming thick and sticky. You typically do not rinse pasta when preparing hot dishes like mac and cheese.
If you’ve tried this Ruby Tuesday Ham and Pea Pasta Salad Recipe or another recipe from the site, please leave a comment—I’d love to hear how it turned out.
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Ruby Tuesday Ham and Pea Pasta Salad
ANNOUNCEMENT
Watch Me Compete on Food Network’s 100 Cooks – airing June 7th @ 9/8c
Video
Equipment
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Salad utensils
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Salad serving bowl
Ingredients
- 1 Pound Rotini Pasta cooked and drained
- 2 Cups Mayonnaise
- ⅓ Cup Buttermilk
- 1 (1 Ounce) Packet Ranch Dressing Mix
- 2 Cups Ham chopped
- 1 Cup Frozen Peas thawed
- 1 teaspoon All Purpose Seasoning
- Salt and Pepper to taste
Instructions
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Cook the rotini according to package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool.
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In a large bowl combine mayonnaise, buttermilk, ranch dressing mix, and all-purpose seasoning. Whisk until smooth.
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Add chopped ham and thawed peas, stirring to coat with the dressing.
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Fold in the cooled pasta, season with salt and pepper to taste, chill if desired, and serve.
Notes
Nutrition
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Original Publish Date: May 04, 2023