Ham Pasta Salad With Ranch Dressing

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This creamy and cheesy ham pasta salad recipe is the perfect spring and summer supper. Who can say no to a dish overflowing with tender smoked ham, pasta, lots of fresh veggies, and ranch dressing?

Forkful of ham pasta salad.

The question I’ve been asked the most this week amid record high temperatures is “What can I cook for supper that won’t heat up the kitchen?”. So I whipped up one of my favorite pasta salads to post for ya real quick. This one is filled with smoked ham (the smoked part is important), tomatoes, cucumbers, English peas (I guess that means they talk with a British accent), cheese, and bowtie pasta. It’s all tied together with a creamy ranch dressing. 

Fortunately, you don’t have to spend a lot of time in the kitchen to whip up this quick and easy ham pasta salad recipe. Chop the ham and veggies while the pasta boils, then combine all of the ingredients in a mixing bowl. Pop it in the fridge for an hour or several to let all the flavors mingle and voila, that’s how you make my creamy ham pasta salad. 

Now, before we go further, I just wanna say these are my ingredients. But feel free to alter the recipe to use up what you have on hand or to suit your personal tastes. If you don’t like cucumber, leave it out. Alternatively, if you can’t get enough of carrot, pop them in. If this cold pasta salad doesn’t suit your family’s tastes, don’t fret because they’re not the ones making this ~grins~. It’s good to be the cook!

Let’s make supper.. or lunch… or a mid-day snack.

Ingredients for ham pasta salad.

Recipe Ingredients

  • Bowtie pasta
  • Shredded cheddar cheese
  • Grape tomatoes
  • Frozen peas
  • Bell pepper
  • Cucumber
  • Ranch dressing
  • Smoked ham

How to Make Ham Pasta Salad

Boil pasta.

First, we’re going to boil our pasta according to the package directions. Drain in a colander and pour running cold water over pasta, while stirring, until completely cooled. Allow the pasta to drain fully before pouring it into a large bowl.

While that’s boiling, dice up your ham into nice bite-sized pieces or smaller, peel and chop up cucumber, and chop up your bell pepper.

Add pasta to large bowl.

Now we’re going to combine everything in a big ol’ bowl. First goes the pasta.

Add ham to bowl.

Then add the ham…

Add cheese to bowl.

the shredded cheddar cheese…

Add peas to bowl.

the thawed frozen peas…

Add cucumber to bowl.

the cucumber…

Add bell pepper to bowl.

the bell pepper…

Add tomatoes to bowl.

the grape tomatoes…

Add dressing to bowl.

and finally, add in your dressing. 

Stir salad ingredients together.

Now we’re going to stir up our ham pasta salad really well.

Cover ham pasta salad and refrigerate.

Cover and refrigerate until chilled and ready to serve. 

If you’re hungry, eat some now and I won’t tell. 

Plate of ham pasta salad.

Dig in!

Storage

  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Recipe Notes

  • There are so many ways to make this ham and cheese pasta salad recipe your own. Let’s take a look:
    • Use whatever meat you like. This might be shredded chicken breast, rotisserie chicken, leftover turkey breast, leftover ham, or cooked bacon.
    • Add whatever frozen or fresh vegetables you like as well. Some other suggestions include corn, red onion or green onion, broccoli, and celery.
    • Use a different salad dressing. Many recipes opt for just mayonnaise or Italian dressing.
    • Use half cheddar cheese and half shredded parmesan cheese if you like.
    • For pickle fans, add 1/2 cup of drained dill pickle relish.
    • Use whatever small pasta you have on hand, whether that’s elbow macaroni pasta, small shell pasta, or rotini.
  • Whenever I need smoked ham for a quick recipe, I just go to the deli counter and ask for a single slice that is about 1/2-inch thick. That is the perfect size for dicing up and using in recipes. The smoked ham adds a wonderful flavor to this meal.
  • You don’t need to cook the frozen peas. Just let them thaw a bit while you prepare this and they’ll be fine.

Check out these other sensational salad recipes:

Old-Fashioned Ham Salad Recipe

Cornbread Salad Recipe

Recipe for Caprese Salad with Chicken and Avocado

Chicken Salad Recipe for Sandwiches

Broccoli Salad With Bacon and Raisins

The BEST German Potato Salad Recipe

Plate of ham pasta salad.

Ham Pasta Salad

This creamy and cheesy ham pasta salad recipe is the perfect summer supper, with tender smoked ham, fresh veggies, and ranch dressing.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Course: Salad
Cuisine: American
Keyword: ham, pasta, salad
Servings: 4
Calories: 130kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 box bowtie pasta 1 pound
  • 1-2 cups diced smoked ham
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup frozen peas thawed slightly
  • 1 peeled and chopped large cucumber
  • 1/2 diced bell pepper
  • 1-2 cups grape tomatoes
  • 1 cup buttermilk ranch dressing

Instructions

  • Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain in a colander and pour running cold water over pasta, while stirring, until completely cooled. Allow the pasta to drain fully before pouring it into a large bowl.
    1 box bowtie pasta
  • Add all other ingredients to the large bowl and stir until well combined.
    1-2 cups diced smoked ham, 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, 1 cup frozen peas, 1 peeled and chopped large cucumber, 1/2 diced bell pepper, 1 cup buttermilk ranch dressing, 1-2 cups grape tomatoes
  • Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. Keeps well for three days in the refrigerator.

Nutrition

Calories: 130kcal
Tried this recipe?Mention @southernplate or tag #southernplate!

In daily life we must see that it is not happiness that makes us grateful, but gratefulness that makes us happy.

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114 Comments

  1. I’m thankful that I can remember picking cotton and i’m still alive…salad sound yummy. Thanks for reminding us to stop complaining about how hot it is and to remember to give thanks. Sometimes we forget….

  2. Goodness I was so busy typing I left out what I’m thankful for – my family!!! And my air conditioner. In that order (right now anyway)

  3. I am grateful for my family, and the fact that where (& when) we live, I can expect all four of my children to reach adulthood. That isn’t always the case in other times and places!

  4. I’m in south Alabama so I FEEL YOUR PAIN! When I get too hot I walk outside and then I”m loving my a/c all over again. My family loves loves loves this pasta, we make it with chicken sometimes instead of ham. One thing I’ve learned is we much prefer it if the dressing isn’t from a bottle. I buy the big thing of ranch dressing and make it up and immediately add it, don’t know why but it’s even more yummy. Love your blog! 🙂

  5. This is a great recipe. I live alone and don’t want to cook a 7 course meal so this is perfect.

  6. Amen Hayley! We’re pretty spoiled, and pretty blessed to be able to be so spoiled 🙂 But it wouldn’t hurt to think about what life would be like if we didn’t have all of these wonderful blessings. That sure would turn down the complaint knob! Love YOU!! Thank you Hayley!
    Gratefully,
    Christy

  7. I second you on the water! Try completing one small outdoor activity and forgetting your water bottle. You will realize how quickly we take water for granted. It seems so insignificant, but it is so vital to life! Love your recipes, your posts, and your grateful spirit!

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