One-Bowl Ham Pasta Salad with Creamy Dijon Dressing

Quick and easy ham pasta salad made from scratch in one bowl in about 20 minutes. This creamy, savory salad is loaded with cheddar, mozzarella, green onions and a simple mayo-ranch dressing.

This is one of the best summer salads — filling, flavorful and much easier to prepare than restaurant versions. If you enjoy pasta salads, try other variations like basil pesto pasta salad, classic macaroni salad, or an Italian tortellini salad to explore different flavor profiles.

How to Make Ham Pasta Salad from Scratch

1. Make the dressing — Whisk together mayonnaise, ranch dressing, salt, pepper and parsley until smooth.
2. Toss the salad — Add cooked pasta, diced ham, celery, green onions, peas and carrots (optional), shredded cheddar and mozzarella. Mix until everything is evenly coated.
3. Cover and chill — Refrigerate at least 1 hour (or overnight) to let the flavors meld.
4. Serve — Garnish with extra green onions and enjoy chilled.

Mayonnaise Dressing

Whisk the following and store in a sealed jar in the refrigerator for up to five days:

• ½ cup mayonnaise (full fat)
• ½ cup ranch dressing (full fat)
• Salt, to taste
• Pepper, to taste
• 1 tbsp parsley, roughly chopped (or another fresh herb)

What to Serve with Ham and Cheese Macaroni Salad

This pasta salad pairs well with light soups, sandwiches or grilled proteins. Ideas include:

• Light soups such as roasted red pepper, tomato basil, or cream of broccoli.
• Simple sandwiches like tomato or cucumber sandwiches, or a Mediterranean veggie sandwich.
• Grilled meats for extra protein—grilled chicken breast, fish, steak, brats, hot dogs or burgers.

Variations

Add other vegetables — Try diced green bell pepper, artichoke hearts, cherry tomatoes, or additional frozen vegetables.

Make it lighter — Replace half the mayonnaise with plain full-fat Greek yogurt or use all Greek yogurt for more protein and a tangier flavor. Low-fat mayonnaise also works.

Make it creamier — Stir in a spoonful of sour cream or softened cream cheese.

Vegetarian option — Omit the ham or substitute with beans or chickpeas.

Gluten-free — Use your favorite gluten-free pasta.

Change the protein — Use hard-boiled eggs, canned tuna, or cooked shredded chicken.

Add heat — Sprinkle red pepper flakes or add sliced jalapeño for a spicy kick.

Add crispy bacon — Crumbled bacon makes a salty, crunchy garnish.

Tips and Techniques

Use full-fat ingredients for the creamiest, richest result.

Adjust herbs and seasoning to taste. Add more or less of any herb or spice depending on your preference.

Fresh herbs — Parsley and green onions are great here, but chives, basil or dill also work well. Fresh herbs bring brighter flavor and better presentation.

Resting time — Chill the salad for at least an hour or overnight to deepen the flavors.

Serve cold — This is a cold pasta salad; serving it warm will let the dressing be absorbed and can make the pasta dry.

Storage

Refrigerate — Store in a sealed container for up to three days.

Freeze — Do not freeze. Dairy-based dressings separate and change texture when frozen and thawed.

More One-Pot Salad Recipes

• Italian spaghetti salad
• Broccoli salad
• Avocado egg salad
• Mediterranean quinoa salad
• Creamy pea salad

Recipe

One Pot Ham Pasta Salad

Abeer Rizvi

Quick and easy ham pasta salad, homemade in one bowl in about 20 minutes. Creamy mayo-ranch dressing coats pasta, ham and cheese for a delicious cold salad.

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Prep Time
10 mins

Chill time
1 hr

Total Time
1 hr 10 mins

Course Salad, Side Dish

Cuisine American

Servings 4 People

Calories 532 kcal

An automated tool calculated the nutritional information, which may vary based on exact ingredients and portion sizes.