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Easy Cold Ham & Swiss Pasta Salad for Kids Lunchbox

cold ham swiss pasta salad for kids lunchbox - featured image
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A creamy, kid-friendly pasta salad with ham, Swiss cheese, and a tangy dressing that comes together in under 20 minutes. Perfect for lunchboxes, meal prep, or a quick weeknight side.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces rotini pasta (about 2 ½ cups dry)
  • 8 ounces cooked ham, diced into small cubes
  • 6 ounces Swiss cheese, cut into small cubes or matchsticks
  • ½ cup mayonnaise (Duke’s or Hellmann’s recommended)
  • ¼ cup sour cream
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • 2 ribs celery, finely diced
  • ¼ cup red onion, finely minced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add 8 ounces of rotini and cook according to package directions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
  2. Drain and cool: Drain the pasta in a colander and rinse under cold running water for about 30 seconds to stop the cooking. Shake off excess water and let it sit for a minute.
  3. Prep the add-ins: While the pasta cooks, dice 8 ounces of ham into small cubes (about ¼-inch). Cut 6 ounces of Swiss cheese into similar-sized pieces. Finely dice 2 celery ribs and ¼ cup red onion. Chop 2 tablespoons of fresh parsley if using.
  4. Make the dressing: In a small bowl or mason jar, whisk together ½ cup mayonnaise, ¼ cup sour cream, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar, and 1 teaspoon honey. Add a pinch of black pepper and a tiny pinch of salt. Whisk until smooth and creamy.
  5. Combine everything: In a large mixing bowl, add the cooled pasta, diced ham, Swiss cheese, celery, red onion, and parsley. Pour the dressing over the top. Use a rubber spatula to fold everything together gently until every piece of pasta is coated.
  6. Chill: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. For best flavor, chill for 1 hour or overnight.
  7. Adjust and serve: Before serving, give it a good stir. Taste and adjust salt and pepper if needed. If the pasta has absorbed too much dressing, add an extra tablespoon of mayo or a splash of milk to loosen it up. Serve cold.

Notes

For best flavor, let the pasta salad rest overnight in the refrigerator. Add a splash of milk or extra mayo before serving if the pasta has absorbed too much dressing. Do not freeze as the mayo-based dressing will separate.

Nutrition

Keywords: cold pasta salad, ham and Swiss pasta salad, lunchbox pasta salad, kid-friendly pasta salad, easy pasta salad, cold ham pasta salad

Find it online: https://zorbmeal.com/easy-cold-ham-and-swiss-pasta-salad-for-kids-lunchbox/