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Ruby Tuesday Pasta Salad (Copycat)

Ruby Tuesday copycat pasta salad with broccoli, cauliflower, and crumbled bacon in a sweet-tangy creamy dressing. Tri-color rotini and blanched vegetables stay bright and crisp-tender after a 2-hour chill.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
chilling 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 30 minutes
Servings: 10 servings
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 560
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Tri-color rotini pasta salad base
  • 1 lb tri-color rotini pasta
  • 2 cup broccoli florets blanched
  • 1 cup cauliflower florets blanched
  • 6 bacon slices cooked and crumbled
  • 0.5 cup red onion diced
  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 0.25 cup sugar
  • 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
  • 0.25 cup Parmesan cheese grated
  • salt to taste
  • pepper to taste

Equipment

  • 1 sheet pan
  • 1 large pot
  • 1 colander

Method
 

Cook the pasta
  1. Cook the tri-color rotini pasta according to package directions, then drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking and cool it quickly.
Blanch the vegetables
  1. Blanch the broccoli florets and cauliflower florets in boiling water for 2 minutes to make them crisp-tender.
  2. Plunge the broccoli florets and cauliflower florets into ice water, then drain well so the vegetables stay bright and firm.
Make the sweet-tangy dressing
  1. Whisk together mayonnaise, sugar, red wine vinegar, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper until smooth and evenly combined.
Assemble and chill
  1. Combine the tri-color rotini pasta, broccoli florets, cauliflower florets, bacon slices, and red onion in a large bowl.
  2. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to coat every piece with a creamy layer.
  3. Refrigerate the creamy pasta salad for at least 2 hours before serving so the flavors meld and the dressing sets.

Notes

For best texture, drain the blanched vegetables very well before mixing to prevent watery dressing. Refrigerate in a covered container for 3-4 days; freeze is not recommended because the creamy dressing can break. Dietary swap: use light mayonnaise for a lower-fat version while keeping the same sweet-tangy flavor.