If you're a fan of Ruby Tuesday's delicious creamy ham and pea pasta salad from their salad bar, you're in for a treat! This easy-to-make copycat recipe brings all the rich, tangy, and comforting flavors of the original dish right to your kitchen. With tender pasta, salty ham, sweet peas, and a creamy ranch dressing, this pasta salad is the perfect side dish for any meal or a refreshing meal on its own. Bonus; It's a great recipe for leftover ham!
Not the right cold pasta salad recipe? Try my recipe for Classic Macaroni Salad or my Easy Broccoli Pasta Salad
I recently read that chain restaurants are on the decline. Which is a shame, because despite naysayers, they have developed some pretty tasty and iconic recipes over the years. And when they are gone, they are gone. So we are left to recreate these delights at home. Two of my best viewed copycat recipes are for Panera Turkey Chili and my copycat recipe for Chick-fil-A's chicken salad.
While not completely gone, there aren't many Ruby Tuesday restaurants left to dine at these days. My family loves the pasta salad that is found on their salad bar. My copycat recipe for Ruby Tuesday's pasta salad with ham and peas is a pretty good match to the original and one that will never go out of style. My version is a little heavier on peas and ham than the original, but it gets rave reviews from my family!
Pasta Salad with Ham and Peas
My pasta ham and pea salad is probably one of the easiest side dishes you will ever make! Most ingredients are easily found in your pantry or refrigerator and freezer and it can be put together in just minutes. My easy pasta salad is creamy and full of flavor and makes a great light main dish meal or an easy side dish for just about any occasion.
Ingredients needed for Ham and Pea Pasta Salad
My simple recipe is made with simple ingredients that you may already have in your pantry, refrigerator, and freezer. You can also find all these ingredients easily at your local grocery store. (For full amounts and recipe instructions, see recipe card below.)
- dried penne pasta (cooked according to package directions)
- mayonnaise
- prepared ranch dressing in the bottle (I like Hidden Valley but you can use your favorite brand)
- garlic salt
- lemon juice (fresh squeezed or from the bottle, I like Santa Cruz brand)
- kosher salt and black pepper
- frozen peas (any brand)
- diced ham (any kind of ham will work, including leftover ham from a holiday meal)
Recipes for leftover ham
Let's talk leftover ham recipes. I love it when I can turn leftover ham into new and exciting recipes that won't break the budget. Holiday hams are notorious for leaving you with lots of leftovers and this creamy ham pasta salad recipe is the perfect way to re-purpose it. A couple of other ham recipes I love using leftover ham in are these amazing Air Fryer Sauerkraut Balls that make a great snack or appetizer. And, this to-die-for Ham Salad Spread!
But even if you don't have leftover ham in your refrigerator, it's easy to purchase ham steak or deli ham from your grocery store to make this recipe for ham and pea pasta salad and the others.
Here's a fun fact! Did you know that according to ohiopork.org, ham (pork) helps to provide daily values of the nutrients vitamin B12, iron, zinc and essential fatty acids that are hard to get from plants alone? Plus it's packed with protein, selenium and choline to keep you going and energized.
What makes my easy ham and pea pasta salad recipe a good recipe for leftover ham?
- It's a delicious way to use up any kind of ham you have leftover and you don't need any special equipment to make it. And, it can be made in minutes.
- It's an easy to make recipe with simple and relatively inexpensive ingredients you can find in any grocery store.
- It provides creamy comfort in a cold salad that makes the perfect side dish or light main dish. And since this is a copycat recipe, it brings nostalgia for the restaurant that made it famous.
- It's versatile! This particular recipe as written is a great base for something even more amazing! Personalize it with add-ins or swap out the penne pasta for a different shape.
How to make Creamy Ham and Pea Pasta Salad (Ruby Tuesday Copycat Recipe):
Begin by cooking the penne pasta to al dente according to the package directions. While the penne is cooking, set a colander in the sink and pour the contents of a frozen bag of green peas into the colander.
Next, in a large bowl, whisk together the mayo and the prepared ranch dressing in the bottle and then whisk in the garlic salt, lemon juice, kosher salt, and black pepper. Set aside.
When pasta is done cooking, take the pan to the sink with the colander and pour the hot pasta water and pasta directly onto the frozen peas. This will defrost the peas and quick "blanch" them.
Next, rinse both pasta and peas well with cold water to stop the cooking process on the peas and the pasta. (This will also allow some of the surface starch from the pasta to be washed away keeping them from getting sticky.)
This method will also keep your peas from getting mushy. Drain the peas and the pasta well.
Add the well drained peas and pasta from the colander to the mayo mixture and stir to coat everything evenly. Then stir in the diced ham until everything is evenly combined.
Cover bowl or pour into an airtight container and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to blend flavors.
When ready to serve, give the salad a good stir again before serving.
The pasta will absorb some of the dressing. If you like it more loose, you can add additional prepared ranch dressing or mayonnaise at this time. Allow the salad to sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes before serving for best flavor.
Why this recipe works
Savory and salty ham pairs perfectly with crisp peas and al dente cooked pasta in a creamy ranch dressing in this easy to prepare cold pasta salad recipe. The preparation is simple and straightforward, and comes together quickly. No special equipment is needed to make this pasta salad recipe.
My peas and ham salad recipe makes a lot; a full pound plus of pasta salad so it's perfect for potluck suppers or family gatherings. It's a nice addition to your holiday menus any time of the year. It is a fun dish to take on summer picnics.
And best of all, it's an easy and delicious way to re-purpose any leftover holiday ham!
Because it's so easy, I think this is my new favorite pasta salad recipe!
Variations
My creamy ham and pea pasta salad recipe is delicious as written, but there is lots of room for add-ins to make it your own.
Consider the following add-in for this salad:
- Chopped herbs (fresh chives, fresh parsley, fresh dill)
- Diced red peppers or green bell peppers
- Diced red onion or chopped green onions
- Sliced black olives
- Thinly sliced celery
- Halved grape or cherry tomatoes
- Chopped crisp bacon
- Cubed cheddar cheese or cubed Swiss cheese
Swap the penne pasta for a different shaped pasta such as bow tie pasta, small shells pasta, rotini pasta, or even elbow macaroni.
Use your own homemade ranch dressing instead of using store bought.
Replace part of the mayonnaise with plain low-fat Greek yogurt for a lighter version and or use light mayonnaise.
Use frozen peas and carrots (the kind with cubed carrots) in place of the frozen peas.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I store Creamy Ham and Pea Pasta Salad?
Store in an airtight container in your refrigerator and eat within 3 - 4 days.
Can I freeze Creamy Ham and Pea Pasta Salad?
No. My recipe for this creamy pasta salad does not freeze well.
Can I make Creamy Ham and Pea Pasta Salad ahead of time?
Yes! You will need to plan for refrigerator time at least 2 hours or more for flavors to blend. You can easily make this pasta salad a day or two ahead of when you plan to serve it. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to serve and stir well before serving. You might want to add a little more ranch dressing or mayo at this time if it seems a little dry to you.
What can I serve with Creamy Ham and Pea Pasta Salad?
My pasta salad with ham and peas is great as a light meal all on it's own but it also works well as the perfect side dish for proteins such as grilled chicken and roast beef or with sandwiches.
Yield: 12 servings
Creamy Ham and Pea Pasta Salad Recipe (Ruby Tuesday Copycat)
Prep time: 5 MinCook time: 10 MinInactive time: 2 HourTotal time: 2 H & 15 M
My Creamy Ham and Pea Pasta Salad Recipe is my version of the famous Ruby Tuesday salad bar favorite made with penne pasta, ham. frozen peas in a creamy ranch dressing.
Ingredients
- 1 pound dried penne pasta
- 1 - 1 1/2 cups mayonnaise
- 1 cup prepared bottled ranch dressing (such as Hidden Valley Ranch)
- 1/2 tsp. garlic salt
- 2 tsp. lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp. black pepper
- 12 ounce package of frozen sweet peas
- 10 ounces (about 1 1/2 to 2 cups) of diced ham
Instructions
- Cook dried penne pasta according to package directions to al dente.
- While pasta is cooking, place a colander in the sink and pour the package of frozen sweet peas into it.
- Next, in a large bowl, add the mayonnaise and prepared ranch dressing. Whisk to combine. Whisk in garlic salt, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Set aside.
- When pasta is done, take pan off the stove and pour hot pasta and pasta water into colander onto the frozen peas. Allow to drain and then spray with cold water from the facet to stop the cooking process on the pasta and peas. (This method will keep your peas from getting mushy.) Drain well.
- Dump the pasta pea mixture into the bowl with the mayo mixture and mix well. Stir in the ham. Mix well and cover or transfer to airtight container and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to blend flavors.
- When ready to serve, let sit at room temperature for 15 minutes then mix well again. If you like it more saucy, stir in a little more ranch dressing or mayo.
Nutrition Facts
Calories
465Fat (grams)
31 gSat. Fat (grams)
5 gCarbs (grams)
34 gFiber (grams)
3 gNet carbs
31 gSugar (grams)
4 gProtein (grams)
11 gSodium (milligrams)
863 mgCholesterol (grams)
30 mgNutritional Information provided is an estimate.
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