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Finished pasta salad on a cutting board

Summertime Pasta Salad


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  • Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
  • Yield: 6 people 1x

Description

A simple and easy pasta salad that can be changed up to what you have on hand, making it a recipe for “Whatcha’ got in Your Fridge/Pantry”


Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 3/4 cup elbow macaroni (uncooked )
  • 1/2 cup broccoli (finely chopped )
  • 1/2 cup ham (diced)
  • 1/2 small bell pepper (any color.)
  • 1/2 small-medium carrot
  • 1/2 tsp dill (optional)
  • 1/8 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/8 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 3/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
  • 8 oz Colby Jack Cheese (cubed)
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1/4 cup pasta water
  • kosher salt (to taste)
  • black pepper (to taste)


Instructions

  1. Cook pasta according to instructions for al dente
  2. While that’s happening, in a large bowl whisk together milk, mayonnaise, sour cream, garlic & onion powder, and dill together. Salt and pepper to taste.
  3. Next, using a spider strainer or slotted spoon, put the pasta into the dressing (with some pasta water included)
  4. Add 1-2 more tablespoons of water. don’t worry if it looks watery, this is will go away once you had the parmesan.
  5. Add carrot, bell pepper, ham, broccoli, both kinds of cheese, and pasta and fold all together until completely combined
  6. Salt and pepper again if needed.
  7. Let sit in the fridge for at least 1 hour and serve.

Notes

If you feel that it might be dry after you take it out of the fridge (which might happen after adding the parmesan) just add a mixture of 1/4 cup mayo and 1/4 cup milk, and toss, (salt might need to be added as well) and possibly a little more salt. DONE!
Drying can happen as it sits because the pasta and parmesan cheese will take in some of the liquid.

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Salad, Side Dish, Sides
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Calories: 522
  • Sugar: 3
  • Sodium: 709
  • Fat: 42
  • Saturated Fat: 15
  • Carbohydrates: 18
  • Fiber: 1
  • Protein: 18
  • Cholesterol: 76