My ham pasta salad is cool, creamy and the perfect dish to bring to your next potluck, family reunion, or cookout. Filled with ham, cheese, peas, and a simple savory and sweet dressing, this is one of those recipes you’ll want to have on hand, especially this summer.

I love having friends over in the summer to hang out on the back porch and enjoy some good food. One of my favorite things to serve is the ham pasta salad because it’s easy to make, feeds a crowd, and always disappears fast.

This pasta salad is perfect for warm weather because it’s cool, creamy, and satisfying without being too heavy. I will usually make it the night before and just pull it out of the refrigerator once everyone arrives.

It’s also a great way to use leftover ham. We almost always have leftover ham after a holiday so this pasta salad is one of the first things I make so the ham doesn’t go to waste.

Hungry for more pasta salads, be sure to try this elote pasta salad, cucumber pasta salad, and ditalini pasta salad.

Why you’ll love this recipe

• A simple pasta salad with great flavor. This really is a no fuss recipe that is very forgiving and easy to customize.
• Can be made ahead of time. Perfect to make the night before you want to serve it.
• Perfect for leftover ham. Have leftover holiday ham, this is a great way to use it up.
• Great for any occasion like potlucks, cookouts, holidays, and more. A family favorite all year long.

Ingredients

One thing I love about this ham and cheese pasta salad recipe is that you can easily customize it with your favorite vegetables, cheese, or pasta shape. These are the ingredients I have used for years and found to be my favorite. Scroll to the variation section for customization ideas.

• Pasta: I like using small shells for this recipe but macaroni or ditalini also work well.
• Ham: Use cubed ham or diced deli ham.
• Vegetables: Peas and red onions add color and flavor.
• Cheese: Cubed cheese like cheddar, colby jack, or monterey jack.
• Dressing: Mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper.

How to make ham pasta salad

Creamy ham pasta salad is so easy to assemble. To make it even easier, I recommend using prepackaged cubed ham.

1. Boil the pasta to al dente according to the box directions. Drain the pasta and rinse with cold water.
2. In a bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper.

3. In a large bowl, combine the pasta, peas, diced ham, red onion, and cubed cheese.
4. Toss the dressing with the pasta salad until coated.

5. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour before serving.

Heather’s recipe tips

• Don’t overcook the pasta. I recommend cooking the pasta to al dente.
• Rinse the pasta in cold water after cooking to help cool it off.
• Rinse the frozen peas under cold water to help thaw them quickly.
• Cut the ingredients into small pieces. Make sure to cut the cheese and onions into small pieces.
• I recommend chilling the pasta salad before serving to let the flavors come together.

Variations

Make this pasta salad with ham your own with a few variations.

Pasta: Use any small pasta shape like ditalini, small elbow macaroni, small shells, and more.

Cheese: You can substitute with a variety of cheese like cheddar cheese, pepper jack cheese, monterey jack, or mozzarella.

Vegetables: Add in more vegetables like diced cucumbers, bell peppers, celery, or carrots.

Fresh herbs: Stir in some fresh herbs like fresh chives, dill, or parsley.

Protein: Diced hard boiled eggs are a great way to add a little extra protein.

Pickles: Mix in some chopped dill pickles for a little tang.

Dressing: If you would like a lighter dressing, substitute with Italian dressing.

Storage instructions

Store any leftover ham and cheese pasta salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Make sure to give it a stir before serving.

I don’t recommend freezing this salad.

Frequently asked questions

More easy pasta salad recipes

• Chicken Pasta Salad
• Greek Tortellini Pasta Salad
• Italian Pasta Salad With Pepperoni

Let me know if you try this creamy ham pasta salad in the comments below.