June 16, 2011

RECIPE: Ruby Tuesday's Ham & Pea Pasta Salad

Ruby Tuesday's pasta salad is like crack to me. I could eat a plate of that stuff -- forget the lettuce, tomatoes, and whatever else. 

I set out to find the perfect copycat recipe. I found many different websites, with many different recipes, and I've tried several different versions. I've tweaked an ingredient here and there, and now I've finally got the perfect version.

This isn't an exact recipe (clearly, as I omit the peas) but tastes very similar. Honestly, in my humble opinion, this one tastes even better.


INGREDIENTS


1 lb. box of rotini

1 c. ranch dressing (I used Hidden Valley Ranch)
1 c. mayo
1 (small) pkg. diced ham
8 oz bag cheddar cheese, shredded
2 tbs. of french fry seasoning
(I use Paula Deen's seasoning mix because it's delicious.)

Paula Deen's seasoning mix: 1 c. salt, 1/4 c. pepper, 1/4 c. garlic powder

Mix them together in a small bowl and pour into an empty salt shaker.
(Caution: This is a lot of seasoning -- way more than 2 tbs. So, don't dump the entire thing into with the pasta salad.)

DIRECTIONS


1. Cook noodles; drain. Allow noodles to cool.


2. Mix noodles with the remaining ingredients -- ranch, mayo, ham, cheese, and french fry seasoning (or the seasoning mix); stir well.

3. Refrigerate at least two hours prior to serving.


Ruby Tuesday's Pasta Salad

PS. You can always add the peas if you'd prefer. I always end up picking around them, so I chose to omit them from my recipe altogether.

11 comments:

  1. Sounds delish! I'm going to try it!

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  2. mmm, pasta! seriously my favourite food. thanks for the recipe :)

    http://bottleblack.blogspot.com

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  3. I found this recipe yesterday and I made it today! This is really good!!

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  4. My boobs are so large that my tiny little shirt cant contain them.

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  5. Is there any particular ranch you use or just whatever is around?

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  6. Do you use a whole bag of cheese and ham?

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  7. I believe PD's recipe calls for garlic powder not salt. I found that out AFTER I mixed it all together -- LOL!

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  8. Thanks so much. You've made my millenium! I've been trying to clone this dish for years. This is a good recipe and taste most like the real deal if not better. I added a pinch of taragon and a dash of dill to mine.

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  9. The cheese amount is inaccurate by not listing the size of the bag, and no Ruby Tuesdays I ever visited had cheese in the macaroni salad anyway.

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    Replies
    1. I clearly stated this isn't an exact recipe, and I've updated the post to include the amount of cheddar cheese (8 oz bag). Thanks for notifying me about the oversight!

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  10. I’m wondering if black olives would be good in this…

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