Picnic Pasta and Ham Salad
Brighten up your next outdoor gathering with this irresistibly creamy Picnic Pasta and Ham Salad, the perfect blend of hearty and fresh flavors. Featuring tender rotini or bowtie pasta, savory diced ham, crisp red bell peppers, celery, sweet peas, and a pop of cheddar cheese, this salad is as vibrant as it is satisfying. Tossed in a tangy, velvety dressing of mayonnaise, sour cream, Dijon mustard, and apple cider vinegar, this dish strikes the ideal balance of richness and zest. Ready in just 30 minutes and served chilled, it's an effortless yet crowd-pleasing side dish for picnics, barbecues, or quick weekday lunches. Garnish with chopped parsley for a fresh, herbaceous finish, and watch it become the star of your next gathering.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 8 ounces pasta (rotini or bowtie)
- 1.5 cups cooked ham, diced
- 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
- 2 celery stalk, diced
- 0.5 medium red onion, finely chopped
- 1 cup frozen peas, thawed
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, cubed
- 0.5 cup mayonnaise
- 0.25 cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the diced ham, red bell pepper, celery, red onion, thawed peas, and cubed cheddar cheese.
In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, apple cider vinegar, sugar, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper until smooth.
Add the cooked and cooled pasta to the mixing bowl with the prepared ingredients. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss until everything is evenly coated.
Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary, adding more salt or pepper to preference.
Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired.
Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to let the flavors meld before serving.
Serve chilled as a perfect side dish for picnics, barbecues, or casual lunches.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
504 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 34.3 g | 44% | |
| Saturated Fat | 13.5 g | 68% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 89 mg | 30% | |
| Sodium | 1356 mg | 59% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 21.0 g | 8% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.9 g | 10% | |
| Total Sugars | 5.8 g | ||
| Protein | 27.5 g | 55% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.4 mcg | 2% | |
| Calcium | 326 mg | 25% | |
| Iron | 1.4 mg | 8% | |
| Potassium | 381 mg | 8% | |
*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.
