Pasta Salad Peas Ham and Cheese
Bright, creamy, and bursting with flavor, this Pasta Salad with Peas, Ham, and Cheese is the ultimate crowd-pleasing dish for any occasion. Combining tender rotini, crisp blanched peas, smoky diced ham, and sharp cheddar cheese cubes, this recipe delivers a delightful medley of textures in every bite. Tossed in a tangy homemade dressing made with mayonnaise, sour cream, Dijon mustard, and a hint of honey, it strikes the perfect balance of savory and sweet. Finished with a pop of red onion and optional fresh parsley, this salad is easy to prepare and ideal for potlucks, picnics, or weeknight dinners. Ready in just 30 minutes (plus chilling time), it’s a make-ahead masterpiece that can be served cold or at room temperature. Perfect for pasta salad lovers searching for a hearty, flavorful twist!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 300 g rotini pasta (or pasta of choice)
- 200 g frozen peas
- 250 g cooked ham (diced)
- 150 g sharp cheddar cheese (cubed)
- 125 ml mayonnaise
- 125 ml sour cream
- 15 ml apple cider vinegar
- 10 ml honey
- 15 ml Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 50 g red onion (finely diced)
- 15 g fresh parsley (chopped, optional for garnish)
Instructions
Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rotini pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente (about 8-10 minutes).
Add peas: In the last minute of pasta cooking, add the frozen peas directly to the boiling water to blanch them. Drain the pasta and peas together and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. Allow excess water to drain completely.
Prepare the dressing: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, apple cider vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper until smooth and well combined.
Assemble the salad: Add the cooked pasta and peas to the bowl with the dressing. Toss to coat evenly.
Add mix-ins: Gently fold in the diced ham, cubed cheddar cheese, and finely diced red onion.
Chill: Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. For best results, let it chill for up to 2 hours.
Serve: Before serving, give the pasta salad a gentle toss to redistribute the dressing. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley if desired. Serve cold or at room temperature.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
467 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 32.1 g | 41% | |
| Saturated Fat | 11.8 g | 59% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 67 mg | 22% | |
| Sodium | 1142 mg | 50% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 25.8 g | 9% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 3.1 g | 11% | |
| Total Sugars | 6.5 g | ||
| Protein | 19.7 g | 39% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.1 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 233 mg | 18% | |
| Iron | 1.5 mg | 8% | |
| Potassium | 309 mg | 7% | |
*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.
