One of my favorite things to eat is healthy pasta salad. The pasta fills your tummy and you get to add veggies to it. Yum! It’s like the perfect meal. Super quick and easy to make and has that tartness I personally am a big fan of.
Whether you’re going to a picnic and don’t want to slave over the stove all day or having a quick meal for your family, this will quickly become your next go-to meal! Substitute out ingredients to your own taste or what you currently have in the pantry. I like to add ham to mine, but you could add any chicken, turkey, tuna, make it vegetarian or vegan, whatever you want! Make it your own and have fun. I love cooking with my kids and this is one of those meals that is one of our favorites.
Italian Ham Pasta Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 12 oz. Tri-Color Rotini, Cooked Al Dente
- 1 lbs. Cubed Cooked Ham
- 4 oz. Mozzarella ¼ inch cubes
- 4 oz. Cheddar ¼ inch cubes
- 1 Packet Italian Dressing/Seasoning (or your favorite bottle of Italian Dressing)
- Olive Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- ½ Red onion, Chopped fine
- ½ Cup Black Olives, Sliced
- ½ – 1 teas. Garlic Powder
- Salt
- Black Pepper
Directions
Step 1: Mix Italian dressing according to directions.
Step 2: Cook the Pasta to Al Dente. Drain and return to pot you cooked it in.
Step 3: Add ½ cup of Italian dressing to the warm pasta stir to coat. Let Cool to room temperature.
Step 4: Once cooled add the Onion, Olives, Cheeses and Garlic Powder (to taste). Stir to combine.
Step 5: Add additional Italian dressing a table spoon at a time, salt, black pepper, and Red Wine Vinegar to taste.
If you like a salad with a little more bitterness, add an additional 1-2 Tbsp. of vinegar.
Italian Ham Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 12 oz. Tri-Color Rotini, Cooked Al Dente
- 1 lbs. Cubed Cooked Ham
- 4 oz. Mozzarella ¼ inch cubes
- 4 oz. Cheddar ¼ inch cubes
- 1 Packet Italian Dressing/Seasoning (or your favorite bottle of Italian Dressing)
- Olive Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- ½ Red onion, Chopped fine
- ½ Cup Black Olives, Sliced
- ½ - 1 teas. Garlic Powder
- Salt
- Black Pepper
Instructions
- Mix Italian dressing according to directions.
- Cook the Pasta to Al Dente. Drain and return to pot you cooked it in.
- Add ½ cup of Italian dressing to the warm pasta stir to coat. Let Cool to room temperature.
- Once cooled add the Onion, Olives, Cheeses and Garlic Powder (to taste). Stir to combine.
- Add additional Italian dressing a table spoon at a time, salt, black pepper, and Red Wine Vinegar to taste.
- If you like a salad with a little more bitterness, add an additional 1-2 Tbsp. of Vinegar.
