Ruby Tuesday Copycat Salad Bar Pasta Salad Recipe at Home

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Copycat Ruby Tuesday Salad Bar Pasta Salad (Easy at Home!)

If you’ve ever walked past the Ruby Tuesday salad bar and piled your plate with that creamy, peppery, slightly tangy pasta salad, you know how hard it is to stop at just one scoop. Today I’m sharing a simple copycat Ruby Tuesday Salad Bar Pasta Salad recipe you can make at home with basic ingredients and no special equipment. It’s perfect for potlucks, cookouts, make-ahead lunches, or an easy side dish with grilled chicken.

A Little Background: Ruby Tuesday & Their Famous Salad Bar Pasta Salad

Ruby Tuesday is known across the USA for its build-your-own salad bar—cold, crisp lettuce, crunchy toppings, and that creamy pasta salad that always seems to disappear first. The pasta salad at the salad bar has a few things going for it:
  • Cool and creamy: Chilled pasta coated in a smooth, tangy dressing.
  • Lightly peppery: Just enough black pepper to give each bite a gentle kick.
  • Savory and slightly sweet: A balance of mayo richness and a hint of sweetness.
  • Comforting texture: Soft noodles with just a little bite—never mushy.
This recipe is a home-style inspired version of that beloved dish. We’ll get very close to the flavor and texture, using common pantry ingredients and simple steps.

Copycat Ruby Tuesday Salad Bar Pasta Salad Recipe

Creamy copycat Ruby Tuesday salad bar pasta salad with rotini, peppers, celery, and onion in a tangy dressing.
Copycat Ruby Tuesday Salad Bar Pasta Salad — a creamy, tangy, veggie-packed side dish you can make at home with simple ingredients

Servings: About 8 side-dish servings Prep Time: 20 minutes Chill Time: 1–2 hours (for best flavor) Total Time: About 1 hour 30 minutes

Ingredients

For the Pasta: For the Creamy Dressing: Mix‑ins (Typical Salad Bar Style):
  • 1/2 cup finely diced celery
  • 1/2 cup finely diced red bell pepper (or green)
  • 1/4 cup finely minced red onion
  • 1/2 cup shredded carrot (optional)
Note: Ruby Tuesday changes their salad bar over time and locations vary. This combo gives that classic, cool, crunchy, creamy feel most people remember.

Step‑by‑Step Instructions

1. Cook the Pasta Just Right

Getting the pasta texture right is key. You want it tender but not mushy.
  1. Fill a large pot with about 4 quarts of water and bring to a rolling boil.
  2. Add 2 Tbsp kosher salt to the boiling water.
  3. Stir in the dry pasta. Cook according to package directions minus about 1 minute, stirring occasionally. Tip: You’re aiming for al dente—soft with a little bite.
  4. When done, drain the pasta in a colander and rinse under cold running water until completely cool. This stops the cooking and helps keep the salad from getting gummy.
  5. Shake off excess water and set aside to drain thoroughly. Wet pasta will water down your dressing.

2. Make the Creamy Salad Bar Dressing

While the pasta cools, whip up the dressing:
  1. In a medium bowl, combine:
    • 1 cup mayonnaise
    • 1/3 cup sour cream
    • 2 Tbsp vinegar
    • 1 1/2 Tbsp sugar
    • 1 tsp Dijon mustard (if using)
    • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
    • 1/2 tsp onion powder
    • 1 tsp kosher salt
    • 1 tsp black pepper
  2. Whisk until smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust:
    • Too tangy? Add a pinch more sugar.
    • Too sweet? Add a splash more vinegar and a pinch of salt.
    • Not enough “kick”? Add more black pepper.

3. Prep the Crunchy Veggies

  1. Finely dice the celery, bell pepper, and red onion.
  2. Grate the carrot if using. Smaller pieces mix in better and feel more like salad bar style.

4. Combine Everything

  1. Transfer the well‑drained, cooled pasta to a large mixing bowl.
  2. Add the chopped celery, bell pepper, onion, and carrot.
  3. Pour about 3/4 of the dressing over the pasta.
  4. Gently toss until everything is coated. Add more dressing as needed.Tip: The pasta will absorb some dressing in the fridge, so it’s okay if it seems a tiny bit “saucier” than you want at this stage.

5. Chill for Best Flavor

  1. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap or a lid.
  2. Refrigerate for at least 1–2 hours, or up to overnight.
  3. Right before serving, give it a good stir and taste again. Add a splash of vinegar, pinch of salt, or extra black pepper if needed. If it looks a little dry, stir in the remaining dressing or 1–2 Tbsp of mayo.

Food Safety Notes

Creamy pasta salad needs a little extra care:
  • Keep the salad chilled at or below 40°F when not serving.
  • At room temperature (especially outdoors), try to limit the salad to no more than 2 hours out of the fridge. If it’s hotter than 90°F, cut that down to 1 hour.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator and enjoy within 3–4 days.
Since this recipe doesn’t contain raw egg or meat, there’s no cooking temperature to hit like with chicken or burgers, but keeping it cold is key for food safety.

Approximate Nutrition Per Serving

These numbers are estimates based on 8 servings:
  • Calories: ~320
  • Protein: ~7 g
  • Carbohydrates: ~32 g
  • Fat: ~18 g
  • Fiber: ~2 g
  • Sodium: ~450 mg
Nutrition will vary based on the exact brands of mayonnaise, pasta, and add‑ins you use.

Shortcuts & Simple Swaps for Busy Nights

Want that Ruby Tuesday pasta salad vibe without a lot of fuss? Try these time‑saving ideas:
  • Use pre‑chopped veggies: Grab a container of pre‑diced onions and peppers or a coleslaw mix. A couple of handfuls of coleslaw mix stirred into the pasta works surprisingly well.
  • Make‑ahead base: Cook a double batch of pasta. Use half for dinner that night and the other half for this salad the next day.
  • Stir‑in rotisserie chicken: Turn it into an easy meal by adding 1–2 cups of diced cooked chicken for extra protein.
  • No sour cream? Use all mayonnaise and thin with a splash of milk until creamy.
You don’t need any fancy gadgets for this recipe—just a pot, a colander, a knife and cutting board, and a mixing bowl.

Allergy‑Friendly & Special Diet Options

Want to enjoy this copycat pasta salad with some tweaks? Here are some easy modifications:

Gluten‑Free

  • Use your favorite gluten‑free pasta (rice, corn, or chickpea based). Cook slightly under the package time so it doesn’t fall apart after chilling.
  • Check labels on mayo, sour cream, and mustard to verify they’re gluten‑free (most major brands are, but always confirm).

Dairy‑Free

  • Replace sour cream with dairy‑free sour cream or unsweetened dairy‑free yogurt (coconut, oat, or almond).
  • Double‑check that your mayonnaise is dairy‑free (most classic mayos are).

Egg‑Free / Vegan

  • Use vegan mayonnaise.
  • Swap sour cream for a plant‑based sour cream or thick, unsweetened vegan yogurt.
  • Use regular or gluten‑free pasta made without eggs (check packaging; many dried pastas are naturally egg‑free).

Lighter Version

  • Use light mayonnaise and/or plain nonfat Greek yogurt instead of full‑fat sour cream.
  • Reduce sugar or replace with a small amount of honey or your preferred sweetener.

Serving Ideas: How to Enjoy Your Copycat Salad Bar Pasta Salad

This pasta salad is super flexible. Try serving it:
  • Alongside grilled burgers, hot dogs, or BBQ chicken.
  • With sandwiches or wraps for an easy lunch.
  • In a big bowl at potlucks or holiday gatherings.
  • As a quick lunch prep—add diced chicken, ham, or beans to make it more filling.
It’s one of those dishes that actually tastes better the next day, so don’t be afraid to make it ahead.

Have You Tried This Copycat Ruby Tuesday Pasta Salad?

I’d love to know how this copycat Ruby Tuesday salad bar pasta salad turned out in your kitchen. Did you tweak the veggies? Add extra pepper? Maybe sneak in some bacon or cheese?
  • Share your version in the comments below.
  • If you enjoyed this recipe, send it to a friend who misses the Ruby Tuesday salad bar as much as we do.
  • Pin it, print it, or bookmark it so you can bring it to your next cookout.
Your feedback helps other home cooks feel confident trying this recipe too.

Copycat Recipe & Affiliate Disclaimers

This recipe is a copycat / restaurant‑inspired version created for home cooks. It is not the official Ruby Tuesday recipe, and we do not claim to know or represent their proprietary formula. Any restaurant names are used strictly for identification and reference purposes only.
Simply Copycat Recipes is an Amazon affiliate. As an Amazon Associate, we may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you, if you choose to purchase through our links. This helps support the site and allows us to keep sharing more home‑tested copycat recipes.
Location: Georgetown, IN, USA

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