Can this be made in advance?

This can be made up to 2 days ahead. Stir well before serving. If the dressing has been absorbed into the salad and it seems dry, you can add a little splash of buttermilk to thin it out and loosen it back up a bit. If the flavors seem muted, add a splash of vinegar and a pinch of salt and stir well.

Can this be made with gluten-free pasta?

Gluten-free pasta works well for pasta salad. Make sure to follow package instructions when cooking it so that it is not overcooked, or undercooked. Drain it very well and make sure to rinse it before adding it to the dressing.

What can I use instead of ham to make this vegetarian?

If you want to make this a vegetarian recipe, you can omit the ham and instead use 1 cup of chopped fresh veggies (such as peppers and carrots) or drained canned chickpeas or kidney beans instead.

Healthy Pasta Salad with Ham and Peas

Name: Healthy Pasta Salad with Ham and Peas
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4 cups farfalle pasta, whole-grain or gluten-free if desired (10.5 ounces); 1 cup plain low-fat Greek yogurt; 3 tablespoons mayonnaise; 4 teaspoons white vinegar; 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard; 1 ¼ teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon chopped dill; 1 teaspoon chopped tarragon; ½ teaspoon white pepper; 1 cup frozen peas, thawed; 1 cup finely diced ham; 1 cup finely diced celery hearts; ½ cup finely chopped scallions

Description

There is only one thing better than creamy pasta salad with ham and peas, and that one thing is a healthier version made with Greek yogurt and whole-wheat pasta. So meet my Healthy Pasta Salad with Ham and Peas. It’s ready in just 30 minutes, so it’s perfect for all your summer cook-outs!

Ingredients

Units Scale

4 cups farfalle pasta, whole-grain or gluten-free if desired (10.5 ounces)
1 cup plain low-fat Greek yogurt
3 tablespoons mayonnaise
4 teaspoons white vinegar
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1 1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon chopped dill
1 teaspoon chopped tarragon
1/2 teaspoon white pepper
1 cup frozen peas, thawed
1 cup finely diced ham
1 cup finely diced celery hearts
1/2 cup finely chopped scallions

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Instructions

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain thoroughly. Run cold water over the pasta to cool.
Meanwhile whisk Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, vinegar, Dijon, salt, dill, tarragon, and pepper in a large bowl.
Add the cooked pasta to the Greek yogurt mixture and toss to coat. Add peas, ham, celery and scallions. Toss to coat. Serve immediately or refrigerate up to 24 hours in advance. Stir again before serving.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Salad
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 202
Sugar: 3 g
Sodium: 296 mg
Fat: 4 g
Saturated Fat: 1 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 32 g
Fiber: 2 g
Protein: 9 g
Cholesterol: 10 mg