Pasta Salad

loof's Note:

Great for picnics, potlucks, or as a meal on it's own!

• Total Time: 30 mins
• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Cook Time: 10 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 6

• 1 (12 ounce) package rotini pasta
• 1 (10 ounce) package frozen green peas
• 1 large tomato, chopped
• 1/2 lb deli ham (in 1 piece, not sliced)
• 1 (4 ounce) jar sliced mushrooms, drained (optional)
• 1 (16 ounce) bottle ranch dressing

Directions:

1. Pour the frozen peas into a colander.
2. Cook the pasta according to the package directions until 'al dente'. Drain the pasta by pouring it into the colander over the peas (the hot pasta will thaw the peas while you complete the preparation of the salad).
3. Cube the ham and saute it until lightly browned.
4. Mix the warm pasta, peas, tomato, ham, and mushrooms in a large bowl. Add the ranch dressing and toss until all salad ingredients are well coated (I usually use almost all of the bottle).
5. Chill until ready to serve.

Reviews

[linguinelisa]

This is a good pasta salad. I used pepperoni instead of ham and also had fresh mushrooms I thinly sliced. I'm not a big pea lover so next time I will cut down on that, any vegetable would be good with it. Made for Please Review My Recipe cooking tag game.

[duonyte]

I thought this was very nice, although I would likely use a vinaigrette next time rather than a creamy dressing. I used some turkey instead of ham, and also used some fresh mushrooms that I sauteed briefly before incorporating. I also added fresh thyme and oregano from my garden. This made a nice lunch.

[**Jubes**]

Reviewed for Aus/NZ Forum Recipe Swap July 2011- Thanks for another great recipe loof- my family all enjoyed this pasta salad. I used a 500gram pack of fusilli pasta (Spirals) and doubled the peas, tomato, used some fresh sliced mushrooms and cubed ham off the bone, along with a 250 ml bottle of ranch dressing. A recipe that we will make again. Photo also being posted