This Pasta & Ham Salad is a bright and hearty dish that combines tender pasta, savory ham, briny olives, and fresh vegetables in a tangy, creamy dressing. With its combination of bold and balanced flavors, this salad is ideal for picnics, potlucks, or as a satisfying lunch. The added crunch of pecans and richness from grated Parmesan give it both texture and depth. It reflects a classic American approach to pasta salad, incorporating pantry staples with a few zesty touches like lime juice and hot sauce for a modern lift.
Ingredients
- 4 cups pasta (cooked )
- 2 cups ham (julienned )
- 1 cup green onions (chopped)
- 1 cup salad olives (sliced )
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved )
- 2 eggs (hard-boiled, grated)
- ½ cup olive oil
- ¼ cup red wine vinegar
- 1 tsp garlic (minced )
- ½ tsp mustard
- 1 tbsp mayonnaise
- 1 lime (juice of )
- Salt (to taste)
- ¼ tsp hot sauce
- ½ cup pecan pieces
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese (grated )
Instructions
Step 1: Cook Pasta & Eggs
- Boil pasta in salted water until al dente; drain and let cool.
- Hard boil the eggs, cool, peel, and grate them.
Step 2: Prepare Vegetables & Ham
- Julienne the ham.
- Chop the green onions.
- Halve the cherry tomatoes.
- Slice the olives if not pre-sliced.
Step 3: Make the Dressing
- In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, mustard, mayo, lime juice, hot sauce, and a pinch of salt until emulsified.
Step 4: Combine Salad
- In a large bowl, mix the cooked pasta, ham, onions, olives, tomatoes, and grated eggs.
- Pour in the dressing and toss gently to coat.
Step 5: Finish & Chill
- Fold in pecan pieces and Parmesan cheese.
- Adjust seasoning to taste.
- Chill for 1 hour if desired before serving.
Tips
- Add diced bell peppers for extra crunch and color.
- Replace ham with roasted turkey or chicken for a lighter variation.
- Swap mayo with Greek yogurt for a tangier, lower-fat dressing.
- Add cooked peas or corn for a sweeter, more vibrant salad.
- Use bowtie, rotini, or shells, any pasta that holds dressing well.
- Chill at least 1 hour before serving for best flavor absorption.
- Add more lime juice or vinegar if you prefer a zippier dressing.
- Stir in fresh herbs like parsley or dill for brightness.
- Make it heartier by adding shredded cheddar or Swiss cheese.
Nutrition
Calories: 415kcalCarbohydrates: 26gProtein: 15gFat: 28gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 16gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 65mgSodium: 506mgPotassium: 302mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 309IUVitamin C: 9mgCalcium: 72mgIron: 2mg
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