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HAM AND CHEESE
PASTA SALAD
This creamy Ham and Cheese Pasta Salad is loaded with tri-color rotini, tender ham, cheese, carrots, onion, and black olives. The homemade creamy dressing is what makes this pasta salad special—it’s sweet, tangy, savory, and just a little unexpected, with soy sauce adding extra depth of flavor. Serve it chilled for an easy pasta salad that’s perfect for potlucks, cookouts, family gatherings, or using up leftover ham.
Cook Time
Servings
Difficulty
10 minutes with
1 hour chill time
8
Easy
Prep Time
15 Minutes
Ingredients
Ingredients
Directions
Cook the Pasta
Bring the chicken broth to a boil in a large pot. Add the garden rotini and cook according to the package directions until al dente. Drain well and allow the pasta to cool completely.
Prepare the Ham and Vegetables
While the pasta cools, cube the ham and Velveeta cheese. Dice the onion, chop the matchstick carrots, and drain the black olives. If using cherry tomatoes, cut them in half.
Make the Creamy Dressing
In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, salad dressing mayonnaise, soy sauce, sugar, parsley flakes, garlic salt, and black pepper until smooth and well combined.
Combine the Pasta Salad
Add the cooled rotini, ham, onion, black olives, carrots, Velveeta, and optional cherry tomatoes to a large bowl. Pour the dressing over the salad and gently stir until everything is evenly coated.
Chill and Serve
Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving. Give the pasta salad a gentle stir before serving and serve chilled.
RECIPE TIPS
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For the best flavor, make this pasta salad ahead of time and let it chill for at least an hour before serving. This gives the pasta time to soak up some of that creamy, sweet-and-savory dressing. Give it a good stir before serving, and if it seems a little dry after chilling, stir in a small spoonful of mayonnaise to bring back the creaminess.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can I make Ham and Cheese Pasta Salad ahead of time?
Yes. This pasta salad is a great make-ahead recipe. Prepare it a few hours before serving and keep it covered in the refrigerator so the flavors have time to come together.
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Can I use a different pasta instead of garden rotini?
Yes. Regular rotini, bow tie pasta, or another short pasta will work. Pasta with ridges or curves is especially good because it holds onto the creamy dressing.
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Why do you cook the pasta in chicken broth?
Cooking the pasta in chicken broth adds savory flavor directly to the pasta instead of relying on the dressing to provide all the seasoning.
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Can I use leftover ham in this pasta salad?
Absolutely. Leftover baked or holiday ham works especially well. Cut it into bite-size cubes before adding it to the salad.
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What can I serve with Ham and Cheese Pasta Salad?
Serve it as a side dish with burgers, grilled chicken, pulled pork, sandwiches, or other cookout favorites.
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□ 4 cups chicken broth
□ 4 cups garden rotini pasta
□ 8 oz ham, cubed
□ 1 medium onion, diced
□ 1 can whole black olives, drained
□ ½ cup matchstick carrots, chopped
□ 1 mini block Velveeta cheese, cut into small cubes
□ ¾ cup mayonnaise
□ ¼ cup salad dressing mayonnaise
□ 1 TBSP soy sauce
□ ¼ cup sugar
□ 1 TBSP dried parsley flakes
□ ½ TBSP garlic salt
□ ½ TBSP black pepper
□ ½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved, optional
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