This Ruby Tuesday Ham and Pea Pasta Salad recipe is a delicious copycat of their well known dish. It offers all the same creamy comfort as the original and best of all, it's a simple recipe you can make it at home!
Need another perfect side dish? Try my Old Bay Shrimp Salad next!
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Ruby Tuesday is one of our favorite restaurants. The menu has something for everyone, so it's great when the family is in the mood to eat out since we all like different things.
One of my favorite salads is this Ham and Pea Pasta Salad because it's a lighter meal that doesn't skimp on flavor. And it's versatile enough to be enjoyed as a main dish or as a side. I like it both ways, but I really love to eat it with some of my other recipes like Air Fryer Bratwurst, Better Than Rotisserie Air Fryer Whole Chicken, or my Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Thighs.
We love this salad during the warmer months when we crave something cool and less heavy. But we also like to serve it in the winter months for Thanksgiving or game day. Add some cherry tomatoes or red pepper and it looks festive on the Christmas table!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Texture and Taste: The combination of the saltiness of the ham and the sweetness of the peas with the creaminess of the dressing can't be beat.
- Versatility: This dish can be served as a main course or as a side dish, making it awesome for different occasions, from a family dinner to summer bbqs.
- Simple ingredients: easily gather these items from your local grocery store or you may already have them in your pantry!
Ingredients
Scroll to the bottom of the post for precise amounts and printable recipe card.
- Rotini pasta - another type of short pasta could work. Try farfalle, penne, or elbow macaroni.
- Mayonnaise - your favorite brand will do the trick. Consider using Miracle Whip for a bit of tang.
- Sour cream - Greek yogurt could be used instead.
- Buttermilk - I can only find low fat buttermilk these days. Works great.
- Ranch seasoning mix- We are using the dry mix, not the prepared salad dressing. I usually buy Hidden Valley Ranch.
- Garlic powder - aka granulated garlic.
- Salt and black pepper - more or less to taste.
- Frozen peas - easy to find at the grocery store. Canned peas will also work.
- Cooked ham - buy a slab from the deli unless you can find it already diced in a package as I did. Leftover ham is even better.
Variations to consider
- Chopped or sliced green onions
- Additional fresh vegetables like red onion, cucumbers, green peppers, and red peppers
- Crispy bacon bits, croutons, or sunflower seeds as a topping
- Fresh chopped herbs like Italian parsley, oregano, and basil.
Instructions
STEP ONE: Boil rotini pasta according to package directions for al dente, adding one tablespoon kosher salt to the cooking water, if desired. Drain well and run a little bit of cold water over the pasta. That will help cool the pasta and stop the cooking process. Set aside and let it dry out a bit.
STEP TWO: In a separate, large bowl add the mayonnaise, buttermilk, dry Ranch dressing mix, garlic powder, and salt and black pepper. Mix well until a creamy, blended dressing forms.
STEP THREE: In another large salad bowl, add the cooked pasta, frozen peas, and diced ham. Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture. Stir well, being sure everything is coated in the dressing.
STEP FOUR: Can be served immediately, but is best when it can set in the refrigerator for an hour or two before serving.
Tips
Be sure pasta is very dry before adding the dressing.
Refrigerate pasta salad for a couple hours before serving for the best flavor.
How to store
- Refrigeration: Store leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate within two hours of serving. Your salad will keep for about three to five days.
- Freezing is not recommended.
More salads to try
- Cherry Tomato Pasta Salad
- Cheesecake Factory Kale Salad
- Asian Cabbage Crunch Salad
- Corn and Black Bean Pasta Salad
Thank you for checking out this Ruby Tuesday Ham and Peas Pasta Salad recipe. I'm grateful to have readers like you! If you enjoyed the recipe, I'd love a star rating and any feedback you may have. Please come back for more recipes made with maximum flavor and minimal effort!
📖 Recipe
Ruby Tuesday Ham and Pea Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt for pasta water
- 1 lb rotini pasta cooked al dente
- 1 cup mayo
- ¾ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup buttermilk
- 2 tablespoon Ranch dressing/seasoning mix dry powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 10 ounces frozen peas unthawed
- 8 ounces ham diced into small cubes
- Salt and pepper to your taste
Instructions
- Boil rotini pasta according to package directions for al dente, adding one tablespoon kosher salt to the cooking water, if desired. Drain well and run a little bit of cold water over the pasta. That will help cool the pasta and stop the cooking process. Pat dry with paper towels and set aside.
- In a separate, large bowl add the mayonnaise, buttermilk, dry Ranch dressing mix, garlic powder, and salt and black pepper. Mix well until a creamy, blended dressing forms.
- In another large salad bowl, add the cooked pasta, frozen peas, and diced ham. Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture. Stir well, being sure everything is coated in the dressing.
- Can be served immediately, but is best when it can set in the refrigerator for an hour or two before serving.
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