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Creamy Pasta Salad with Ham, Peas & Cheddar

creamy pasta salad with ham peas cheddar - featured image
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A quick and easy creamy pasta salad featuring smoky ham, sweet peas, and sharp cheddar cheese, perfect for summer gatherings and potlucks.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces elbow macaroni
  • 1 cup diced cooked ham
  • 1 cup frozen peas, thawed
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup sour cream
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • Optional garnish: chopped fresh parsley or chives

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add elbow macaroni and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente.
  2. Drain pasta in a colander and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool it down.
  3. Thaw frozen peas by placing them in warm water for 5 minutes, then drain well. If using fresh peas, blanch in boiling water for 2 minutes and cool in ice water.
  4. Dice cooked ham into small bite-sized cubes. Shred sharp cheddar cheese if not pre-shredded.
  5. In a medium bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
  6. In a large bowl, combine cooled pasta, diced ham, peas, and shredded cheddar. Pour dressing over and fold gently until evenly coated.
  7. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to meld and salad to firm up.
  8. Before serving, stir gently, adjust seasoning if needed, and garnish with chopped parsley or chives.

Notes

Do not overcook the pasta to avoid mushy texture. Rinse pasta with cold water to stop cooking and prevent clumping. Drain peas well to avoid watery salad. Chill salad for at least 1 hour for best flavor. Adjust salt carefully as ham can be salty. For a lighter version, substitute sour cream with Greek yogurt. For dairy-free, use dairy-free yogurt, mayonnaise, and cheese alternatives.

Nutrition

Keywords: pasta salad, creamy pasta salad, ham pasta salad, summer side dish, potluck recipe, easy pasta salad, peas and cheddar salad

Find it online: https://evabake.com/creamy-pasta-salad-with-ham-peas-and-cheddar-easy-recipe-for-perfect-summer-sides/