Description
This Copycat Ruby Tuesday Ranch Pasta Salad is a creamy, tangy, and refreshing pasta salad packed with crunchy vegetables and tender rotini pasta. Made with a flavorful homemade ranch dressing and loaded with colorful veggies and cheddar cheese, it serves as an easy and versatile side dish perfect for cookouts, potlucks, lunches, or family dinners.
Ingredients
For the Pasta Salad
- 12 ounces rotini pasta
- 1 cup broccoli florets, finely chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ cup shredded carrots
- ½ cup diced red bell pepper
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup finely diced red onion
- ¼ cup sliced green onions
For the Ranch Dressing
- ¾ cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup buttermilk
- 1½ tablespoons ranch seasoning
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon dried parsley
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Salt, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rotini pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente, usually about 8-10 minutes.
- Drain and cool the pasta: Drain the cooked pasta and rinse it under cold running water until completely cooled. Drain well to remove excess water.
- Prepare the ranch dressing: In a large bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, buttermilk, ranch seasoning, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, dried parsley, and black pepper until smooth and well combined.
- Combine the salad ingredients: Add the cooled pasta, finely chopped broccoli, halved cherry tomatoes, shredded carrots, diced red bell pepper, shredded cheddar cheese, finely diced red onion, and sliced green onions to the dressing bowl.
- Toss the salad: Gently toss all the ingredients together until the pasta and vegetables are evenly coated with the dressing.
- Chill before serving: Cover the bowl and refrigerate the pasta salad for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the salad to chill well.
- Serve and adjust consistency: Before serving, stir the salad. If the dressing has thickened, add a splash of buttermilk to loosen it for optimal creaminess.
Notes
- For best flavor, prepare the pasta salad a few hours ahead of time to let the ingredients meld.
- Chop the vegetables into small, bite-sized pieces to mimic the texture and style of restaurant pasta salads.
- Add cooked bacon or diced chicken to make this salad a more filling, protein-packed meal.
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator and consume within 3–4 days for optimal freshness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad, Side Dish, Pasta Salad, Potluck
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
