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–+ servings

Copycat Ruby Tuesday Ranch Pasta Salad

A delightful dish that perfectly balances creamy ranch dressing with fresh vegetables and crispy bacon, making it a fantastic choice for any gathering or meal prep.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 250
Ingredients Method Nutrition

Ingredients
  

  • 8 oz rotini pasta about 2.5 – 3 cups dry
  • 1.5 cups broccoli florets small, fresh
  • 1 cup frozen sweet peas thawed
  • 6-8 slices bacon cooked crispy and crumbled
  • 1/2 cup shredded carrots optional
  • 1 cup mayonnaise good quality
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk or 1/4 cup sour cream + 1/4 cup milk
  • 1 tablespoon dried parsley flakes
  • 1.5 teaspoons dried dill weed
  • 1 teaspoon dried chives
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1-2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice or white vinegar, to taste
  • 1/4-1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce optional, but recommended
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt or to taste
  • 1/8-1/4 teaspoon black pepper or to taste
  • a tiny pinch MSG optional

Method
 

  1. Prepare the Dressing: Add the dried parsley, dill, chives, garlic powder, onion powder, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce if using, salt, pepper, and optional MSG into a bowl. Whisk thoroughly until all ingredients are well combined and the dressing is smooth.
  2. Chill the Dressing: Taste and adjust seasonings as needed; you may want more lemon juice for tanginess or additional salt and pepper for flavor enhancement. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes; however, letting it chill for 2+ hours or overnight is preferable to allow flavors to meld beautifully.
  3. Cook the Pasta and Vegetables: Drain the pasta after cooking it according to package instructions, then immediately rinse under cold running water until completely cooled before draining thoroughly again. Next, drain the broccoli and plunge it into an ice bath—this stops cooking immediately; once cooled down completely, drain thoroughly.
  4. Combine Ingredients: Pour about three-quarters of the chilled ranch dressing over the cooled pasta along with broccoli florets, sweet peas, crispy bacon pieces, and optional shredded carrots in a large mixing bowl. Gently toss everything together until well combined while ensuring that each ingredient is coated nicely but not overly drenched in dressing.
  5. Final Chilling & Serving Preparation: Refrigerate your pasta salad for at least two hours before serving—this step is crucial as it allows all flavors to meld perfectly together while keeping it properly chilled; chilling overnight is even better! Once ready to serve, taste again before adjusting salt and pepper if necessary; finally, enjoy your deliciously refreshing Copycat Ruby Tuesday Ranch Pasta Salad!

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 250kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 8gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 45mgSodium: 200mgFiber: 2gSugar: 15g

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