Ruby Tuesday's Pasta Salad

Ruby Tuesday's Pasta Salad

This pasta salad is known for its creamy dressing, sweet pops of peas, cheddar, and tender rotini—simple but incredibly addictive. Perfect for summer cookouts, potlucks, or as a side for burgers, grilled meats, or sandwiches.

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⭐ Ingredients (Serves 8–10)

Pasta & Mix-Ins

• 12 oz rotini pasta (classic choice; tri-color is also excellent)

• 1 cup frozen green peas (thawed)

• 1 cup diced sharp cheddar cheese

• ½ cup diced red onion

• ½ cup sliced celery

• ½ cup sliced black olives (optional, but often included)

• ½ cup diced red bell pepper

• ½ cup julienned carrots (optional but adds color/crunch)

Creamy Ruby Tuesday–Style Dressing

• 1 cup mayonnaise

• ¼ cup sour cream

• 2 tbsp sugar (sweetness is part of the signature flavor)

• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar

• 1 tbsp lemon juice

• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard

• 1 tbsp ranch seasoning or ½ packet dry ranch mix

• ½ tsp garlic powder

• ½ tsp onion powder

• ½ tsp salt

• ¼ tsp black pepper

• Optional: 1–2 tsp pickle juice for extra tang

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🍝 Instructions (Restaurant-Quality Method)

1. Cook the Pasta

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.

2. Cook rotini until just past al dente—slightly tender but not mushy.

3. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking.

4. Toss with a little oil so it doesn’t stick while cooling.

Perfect texture is key: Ruby Tuesday’s pasta salad is soft but structured, never mushy.

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2. Prepare the Dressing

In a large bowl, whisk together:

• mayo

• sour cream

• sugar

• vinegar

• lemon juice

• Dijon

• ranch seasoning

• garlic & onion powders

• salt & pepper

Taste and adjust:

• More sugar → sweeter

• More vinegar or lemon → tangier

• More ranch → more savory

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3. Combine the Salad

Add cooled pasta to the bowl.
Fold in:

• peas

• cheddar

• onions

• celery

• peppers

• olives

• carrots

Stir gently to avoid breaking the pasta.

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4. Chill for Best Flavor

Refrigerate at least 2 hours, ideally 4–6 hours or overnight.
The flavors meld and the dressing thickens into that iconic creamy texture.

Before serving, taste again and add a splash of vinegar or a spoon of mayo if needed.

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⭐ Chef’s High-Value Tips for Authentic Flavor

✔ Use real mayo

The richness is key—avoid low-fat versions if copying the exact restaurant taste.

✔ Don’t skip the sugar

Ruby Tuesday’s version has a distinct mild sweetness. 1–2 extra teaspoons can make it spot-on.

✔ Rotini holds the dressing best

Its spirals trap the creamy sauce perfectly.

✔ Chill long enough

The salad improves dramatically after a few hours.

✔ Add cheddar cubes, not shreds

Shreds disappear—cubes mimic the original texture.

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🌈 Optional Add-Ins (All Still Taste Authentic)

• Diced ham

• Crispy bacon bits

• Extra ranch seasoning

• Chopped dill pickles

• Sweet pickled peppers

• Cherry tomatoes (added right before serving)

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🍽️ Serving Suggestions

Pairs beautifully with:

• Burgers, BBQ chicken, steak, or turkey burgers

• Grilled ribs or kebabs

• Sandwiches or wraps

• Picnic & potluck tables

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🥗 Variations

1. Ruby Tuesday Garden Bar–Inspired “Expanded Version”

Add:

• Broccoli florets (lightly blanched)

• Cauliflower florets

• Bacon bits

• Extra shredded cheddar

2. Lightened-Up Version

Substitute:

• ½ mayo with Greek yogurt

• Reduce cheddar

• Add cucumbers and cherry tomatoes

3. Italian Twist

Use:

• Italian dressing + mayo blend

• Mozzarella cubes

• Genoa salami

OTHER RECIPES

A great Ruby Tuesday recipe to try !

INGREDIENTS

Salad:

• 8 ounces macaroni, cooked and drained
• 8 ounces ham, 1/4" cubed, about 2 cups
• 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, 1/4" cubed
• 1 (10-ounce) package frozen peas, cooked and drained

Dressing:

• 3/4 cup sour cream
• 3/4 cup mayonnaise (not salad dressing)
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan or Romano cheese
• 2 teaspoons dried tarragon
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

RUBY TUESDAY INSTRUCTIONS

First of all in a large bowl combine salad ingredients.

And then in a smaller bowl, mix dressing ingredients. 

Pour dressing over macaroni mix and toss to blend well. Cover and refrigerate several hours or overnight.

Next is to remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before serving. (More mayonnaise or sour cream may be needed.) 

The Ruby Tuesday recipe of pasta salad is ready to serve...enjoy the appetizer ! Nice !

VIDEO:

ruby-tuesday-turkey-burger.