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.

Nutriscore Rating: 70/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 6

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

Directions

Step 1

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.

Step 2

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.

Step 3

Dice the ham into small bite-sized cubes, about 1/2 inch in size. Set aside.

Step 4

Cut the cheddar cheese into small cubes, about the same size as the ham.

Step 5

Dice the red bell pepper and celery into small pieces. Finely chop the red onion.

Step 6

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, Dijon mustard, white vinegar, salt, and black pepper until smooth.

Step 7

Add the cooled pasta to the bowl with the dressing and toss to coat the pasta evenly.

Step 8

Gently fold in the diced ham, cheddar cheese, bell pepper, celery, red onion, and parsley, ensuring all ingredients are well distributed.

Step 9

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld together.

Step 10

Give the salad a quick toss before serving. Garnish with additional parsley if desired. Serve chilled.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	2994.7 grams (2994.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3185

Total Fat 164.10g	210%
Saturated Fat 38.50g	193%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.60g
Cholesterol 256mg	85%
Sodium 3616mg	157%
Total Carbohydrate 337.70g	123%
Dietary Fiber 19.50g	70%
Total Sugars 25.50g
Protein 79.90g	160%

Vitamin D 7IU	33%
Calcium 854mg	66%
Iron 14mg	78%
Potassium 2098mg	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.

Source of Calories

Fat: 46.9%

Protein: 10.2%

Carbs: 42.9%