Ham and Cheese Pasta Salad
Elevate your picnic game with this vibrant and creamy Ham and Cheese Pasta Salad, a satisfying blend of tender rotini pasta, savory ham, and sharp cheddar cheese paired with crisp veggies like red bell pepper, celery, and red onion. Coated in a tangy and luscious dressing made with mayonnaise, sour cream, Dijon mustard, and a hint of white vinegar, this chilled pasta salad is the perfect balance of flavors and textures. Great for meal prep or as a crowd-pleasing side dish, this easy-to-make recipe comes together in just 30 minutes and serves up to six. Whether for a barbecue, potluck, or weekday lunch, this hearty pasta salad is guaranteed to be a hit with its creamy dressing, wholesome ingredients, and crave-worthy taste.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 oz rotini pasta
- 1 cup ham
- 1 cup cheddar cheese
- 1 medium red bell pepper
- 2 stalks celery
- 0.5 medium red onion
- 0.5 cup mayonnaise
- 0.25 cup sour cream
- 1 tbsp dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp white vinegar
- 0.5 tsp salt
- 0.25 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp parsley
- 8 cups water
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
Bring 8 cups of water to a boil in a large pot. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and a pinch of salt to the water.
Cook the rotini pasta according to the package instructions, usually about 8-10 minutes, until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool the pasta. Set aside.
Dice the ham into small bite-sized cubes, about 1/2 inch in size. Set aside.
Cut the cheddar cheese into small cubes, about the same size as the ham.
Dice the red bell pepper and celery into small pieces. Finely chop the red onion.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, Dijon mustard, white vinegar, salt, and black pepper until smooth.
Add the cooled pasta to the bowl with the dressing and toss to coat the pasta evenly.
Gently fold in the diced ham, cheddar cheese, bell pepper, celery, red onion, and parsley, ensuring all ingredients are well distributed.
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld together.
Give the salad a quick toss before serving. Garnish with additional parsley if desired. Serve chilled.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
3185 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 164.1 g | 210% | |
| Saturated Fat | 38.5 g | 192% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 4.6 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 256 mg | 85% | |
| Sodium | 3616 mg | 157% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 337.7 g | 123% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 19.5 g | 70% | |
| Total Sugars | 25.5 g | ||
| Protein | 79.9 g | 160% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.2 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 854 mg | 66% | |
| Iron | 14.1 mg | 78% | |
| Potassium | 2098 mg | 45% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
