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Pasta Salad with Ham

This Pasta Salad with Ham features peas and Muenster cheese making it a terrific use for leftover holiday ham.
pasta-salad-with-ham-peas-muenster-cheese

Pasta Salad with Ham Peas and Muenster Cheese

 There are endless possibilities and flavor combinations when it comes to pasta salads. In this one, I chose to use rotini pasta, smoked ham, petite peas, and tiny cubes of Muenster cheese. The dressing is creamy and slightly sweet. As with any dish like this one you can use whatever cheese you have handy or your personal preference.
 
Pasta Salad with Ham, Peas And Muenster Cheese

Serving Option for Pasta Salad with Ham

I usually serve it as a side dish but, because it includes a smoked ham and Muenster cheese,  it could also be enjoyed as a light  lunch or dinner on a hot Summer day. When my schedule is super packed and conflicting sporting events between my sons cause us to pass like ships in the night, this is the kind of salad that I can have in the fridge and it can be made into a meal in a snap.

Other Pasta Salad Recipes to Try:

rotini-pasta-salad-recipe

 

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Pasta Salad with Ham

Prep Time25 minutes
Cook Time12 minutes
Chill time4 hours
Total Time4 hours 37 minutes
Course: Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: pasta-salad-recipes, pasta-salad-with-ham
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 376kcal
Author: Melissa Sperka

Ingredients

  • 2 1/2 cups of dry rotini pasta
  • 1 cup diced smoked ham
  • 1/2 cup frozen petite peas
  • 4 oz cubed Muenster cheese
  • 1 medium yellow pepper
  • 1 small red onion
  • 2 Roma tomatoes
  • 2 green onions
  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 3/4 cup low fat half & half
  • 1/8 tsp each dry dill garlic powder and celery salt
  • 1 1/2 Tbsp sugar
  • 1 Tbsp Italian parsley
  • 1 Tbsp lemon juice
  • salt & black pepper to your taste

Instructions

  • Boil the pasta in salted water per the directions on the package until al dente. Drain well.
  • Stir the frozen peas into the hot pasta.
  • Dice the ham, cheese, red onion, yellow pepper, green onions and tomatoes.
  • Set the tomatoes and cheese cubes aside.
  • In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the dressing ingredients. Season with salt and black pepper to your taste, then add the chopped ham and veggies reserving a few green onion tops for garnishing.
  • Do not add the tomatoes or cheese at this point. Mix well.
  • Pour the pasta and peas into the mixing bowl with the dressing. Stir until fully combined.
  • Place into the refrigerator to allow the pasta to cool for around 15 minutes.
  • Add the chopped tomatoes and cubed cheese.
  • Taste and adjust the seasonings if needed.
  • Chill for at least 3 hours before serving.

Notes

I recommend waiting until the pasta has cooled to add the chopped tomatoes and cheese cubes. This will prevent the tomatoes from watering down the dressing and it won't affect the texture of the cheese.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 376kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 13g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 37mg | Sodium: 468mg | Potassium: 190mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 484IU | Vitamin C: 37mg | Calcium: 119mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @melissassk or tag #melissassk!

 

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