Fresh Summertime Bow-Tie Ham Salad

I made up this recipe while trying to figure out a summer pasta salad to go with our kabobs that we were grilling. I threw in a little of this and a little of that and the family went nuts! To make this healthier, use fat-free mayonnaise and wheat pasta.

• Preparation Time: 20 mins
• Cooking Time: 15 mins
• Total Time: 35 mins
• Calories: 711 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon salt
• ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 ½ cups mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons minced garlic
• 1 ½ teaspoons ground black pepper
• ½ cup diced red bell pepper
• 6 green onions, chopped
• ½ cup shredded Romano cheese
• ½ cup diced yellow bell pepper
• ½ cup diced orange bell pepper
• 1 (16 ounce) package bow-tie pasta
• 1 pound ham chunks
• 20 grape tomatoes, halved

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Chill at least 1 hour before serving.

Step 2

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook the bow-tie pasta at a boil, stirring occasionally, until cooked through yet firm to the bite, about 12 minutes; drain.

Step 3

Toss ham chunks, tomatoes, yellow bell pepper, red bell pepper, orange bell pepper, green onions, garlic, black pepper, and salt together in a bowl.

Step 4

Stir drained bow-tie pasta and mayonnaise into the ham mixture.

Step 5

Sprinkle cilantro and Romano cheese over the pasta mixture; stir to combine.