Macaroni Ham Pasta Salad

Creamy, tangy, and loaded with texture, this Macaroni Ham Pasta Salad is the ultimate crowd-pleaser for picnics, potlucks, or easy weeknight dinners! Combining tender macaroni pasta with savory diced ham, sharp cheddar cheese, and a medley of crunchy celery, sweet peas, and red onion, this dish is both vibrant and satisfying. A zesty dressing made from creamy mayonnaise, tangy Greek yogurt, and a touch of yellow mustard ties everything together with a burst of flavor. Finished with a sprinkle of fresh parsley for a herbaceous touch, this pasta salad is quick to prepare and tastes even better after cooling, making it perfect for advance prep. Serve it cold for a refreshing side dish or light main course that’s sure to delight every guest.

Nutriscore Rating: 64/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:25 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 250 grams macaroni pasta
• 200 grams ham
• 120 grams mayonnaise
• 60 grams plain Greek yogurt
• 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
• 0.5 medium red onion
• 1 celery stalk
• 100 grams frozen peas
• 100 grams sharp cheddar cheese, diced
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the macaroni pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse the pasta under cold water to stop it from cooking further, then set it aside to cool completely.

Step 2

While the pasta cooks, dice the ham, red onion, and celery into small, bite-sized pieces. If using frozen peas, thaw them by placing them in a bowl of warm water for a few minutes, then drain.

Step 3

In a large mixing bowl, combine the mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, yellow mustard, salt, and black pepper. Whisk until the dressing is smooth and well blended.

Step 4

Add the cooled pasta to the bowl with the dressing. Gently toss until the pasta is evenly coated.

Step 5

Fold in the diced ham, red onion, celery, peas, and diced cheddar cheese. Stir gently to combine without breaking the ingredients.

Step 6

Sprinkle the chopped parsley over the mixture and toss lightly to distribute it evenly throughout the salad.

Step 7

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to chill and allow the flavors to meld together.

Step 8

Serve the Macaroni Ham Pasta Salad cold. Garnish with additional parsley if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	964.8 grams (964.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2621

Total Fat 137.80g	177%
Saturated Fat 33.20g	166%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.00g
Cholesterol 251mg	84%
Sodium 4423mg	192%
Total Carbohydrate 266.60g	97%
Dietary Fiber 19.20g	69%
Total Sugars 21.50g
Protein 81.80g	164%

Vitamin D 29IU	147%
Calcium 944mg	73%
Iron 8mg	43%
Potassium 1915mg	41%

*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: 47.1%

Protein: 12.4%

Carbs: 40.5%