Pretty Pasta Salad with Peas Parmesan and Ham
Bright, fresh, and bursting with flavor, this Pretty Pasta Salad with Peas, Parmesan, and Ham is the ultimate crowd-pleaser for any occasion. Featuring tender short pasta tossed with crisp, sweet peas, savory chunks of ham, juicy cherry tomatoes, and a creamy yet zesty homemade dressing, this salad delivers a perfect balance of textures and flavors in every bite. A sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan and chopped parsley adds a touch of sophistication, making it as visually appealing as it is delicious. Quick to prepare and easily customizable, this vibrant pasta salad is perfect as a main dish for a light lunch or a side dish for summer barbecues and potlucks. Serve it fresh or let it chill to intensify the flavors—either way, it’s a guaranteed hit!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 oz Short pasta (such as rotini, fusilli, or farfalle)
- 1 cup Frozen peas
- 1.5 cups Cooked ham, cubed
- 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
- 1 cup Cherry tomatoes, halved
- 2 tbsp Fresh parsley, chopped
- 0.25 cup Mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
- 1 tbsp Lemon juice
- 1 clove Garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 0.5 tsp Salt
- 0.25 tsp Black pepper, freshly ground
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. During the last 2 minutes of cooking, add the frozen peas to the boiling water with the pasta.
Drain the pasta and peas, then rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside to cool completely.
In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until smooth and well combined.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked and cooled pasta and peas, cubed ham, cherry tomatoes, and chopped parsley.
Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture and toss gently to ensure everything is evenly coated.
Fold in the grated Parmesan cheese, reserving a little for garnish if desired.
Transfer the salad to a serving dish and garnish with additional Parmesan and parsley, if desired. Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 3 hours to allow the flavors to meld.
Enjoy your pretty pasta salad with peas, Parmesan, and ham as a delicious main dish or side dish!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2407 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 128.9 g | 165% | |
| Saturated Fat | 37.5 g | 188% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.7 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 331 mg | 110% | |
| Sodium | 7507 mg | 326% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 158.8 g | 58% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 16.6 g | 59% | |
| Total Sugars | 21.5 g | ||
| Protein | 149.7 g | 299% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 1430 mg | 110% | |
| Iron | 7.8 mg | 43% | |
| Potassium | 2050 mg | 44% | |
*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.
