Ham Pasta Salad

This ham pasta salad is a great side dish for parties, barbecues, and potlucks. Loaded with ham, pasta, vegetables, and combined with a creamy homemade dressing, it’s a simple, budget-friendly recipe.

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Keyword cold pasta salad, ham

Prep Time 30

Cook Time 0

Chill the ingredients 1

Total Time 1 30

Servings

Calories 375kcal

Author Elizabeth

Ingredients

8 ounces Ditalini cooked to package directions, drained, and cooled (other short pasta like elbow macaroni, small shells, etc. can be used)
6-7 ounces Cooked Ham diced
½ cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese or a combination like cheddar jack or Colby jack
½ cup Frozen Peas cooked to package directions, rinsed, drained, and chilled
¼ cup Shredded Carrot 1 small carrot
2 tablespoons Finely Diced Celery
2 tablespoons Sliced Green Onions plus extra for garnish if desired
1 cup Mayonnaise
1 tablespoon Dijon Mustard or yellow mustard
1 tablespoon Pickle Relish
1 tablespoon Sugar
1 tablespoon Apple Cider Vinegar
½ teaspoon Salt plus 1-2 tablespoons for the macaroni cooking water (and extra at the end if needed)
¼ teaspoon Black Pepper

Instructions

Cook macaroni to package directions for “firm”. Go a little past al dente but not totally soft. Use a colander to drain and promptly rinse them with cold water until they are cool.
Then drain the macaroni well and transfer it to a large bowl. Add the ham, shredded cheese, peas, carrots, celery, and green onions. Cover with a lid or wrap and refrigerate until chilled.
Make the dressing
Add the mayonnaise, mustard, pickle relish, sugar, vinegar, salt, and pepper to a bowl. Stir with a fork or small whisk until the ingredients are combined and the dressing is smooth.
Refrigerate the dressing until ready to make the macaroni ham salad.
Lastly, add the dressing to the pasta and ham mixture. Stir well until combined. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. Garnish with sliced green onions, if desired.

Notes

Do not overcook the pasta. Cook until it is firm but no longer al dente.
Cool the macaroni quickly after draining. Run it under cold water to stop the cooking. Use a colander to drain it well.
Do not overcook the peas so they hold up to stirring. Rinse them with cold water immediately to stop the cooking.

Nutrition