Peas and Ham Pasta Salad

Weight Watchers Recipe of the Day: Pasta Salad with Ham & Peas

I made this yummy lighter, healthier peas and ham pasta salad a couple of Sundays ago.

It made a big batch, enough for several weekday meals and sharing with Mom.

Peas and Ham Pasta Salad

Taking the time to cook a few dishes ahead on Sunday makes getting dinner on the table during the week so much easier and helps keep me on track with my weight maintenance.

Most of the time I opt for pasta salads made with vinaigrette, since I automatically think of them as lighter and healthier.

But it's possible to make a lighter, healthier pasta salad with creamy dressing too, as this peas and ham pasta salad proves.

Recipe Notes

There's a great article in this month's (June 2013) issue of EatingWell (affiliate link) with a step-by-step guide to making healthier pasta salads.

I opted to try the Pasta Salad with Peas, Ham and a Creamy Buttermilk Dressing, since I had all the ingredients needed on-hand.

Packed with with protein and vegetables - mushrooms, peas, onion, diced ham, chopped hard-boiled eggs, chopped Cheddar cheese, and tossed in a creamy buttermilk dill dressing, it was satisfying and delicious.

How Many Calories and WW Points in this Pasta Salad?

According to my calculations each serving has 236 calories and:

5 *SmartPoints (Green plan)
4 *SmartPoints (Blue plan)
2 *SmartPoints (Purple plan)
6 *PointsPlus (Old plan)

To see your WW PersonalPoints for this recipe and track it in the WW app or site, Click here!

If you like this easy pasta salad with ham and peas, be sure to check out my other Weight Watchers friendly recipes including Pasta Salad with Blue Cheese, Walnuts & Arugula, Easy Chicken Satay Pasta Salad, Enlightened Classic Macaroni Salad and Trisha Yearwood's Orzo Salad Made Lighter

If you've made this Pasta Salad with Ham and Peas, please give the recipe a star rating below and leave a comment letting me know how you liked it. And stay in touch on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for the latest updates.

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5 from 1 vote

Skinny Peas & Ham Pasta Salad Recipe

A flavor-packed pasta salad combining peas, ham, mushrooms, eggs and cheese in a creamy buttermilk dressing, this peas and ham pasta salad is a winner.

Prep Time30 minutes mins

Cook Time10 minutes mins

Total Time40 minutes mins

Servings (adjustable): 8

Calories: 236

Author: Martha McKinnon | Simple Nourished Living

Ingredients

• ▢ 4 cups cooked whole wheat elbow pasta
• ▢ 2 cups sliced button mushrooms
• ▢ 1-¾ cups frozen peas, thawed
• ▢ ¼ cup finely chopped sweet onion
• ▢ 1 cup diced lean ham
• ▢ 2 chopped hard-boiled eggs
• ▢ ½ cup diced low-fat cheddar cheese

For the Dressing:

• ▢ 1 clove garlic
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon salt
• ▢ ½ cup buttermilk
• ▢ ¼ cup low-fat mayonnaise
• ▢ 3-4 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
• ▢ 1 tablespoon distilled white vinegar

Instructions

• In a large bowl combine the pasta, mushrooms, peas, onion, ham, eggs and cheese.
• In a medium bowl mash the clove of garlic and salt into a paste. Whisk in the buttermilk, mayonnaise, dill and vinegar until smooth.
• Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss to coat.

Equipment

Mixing Bowls

Chef Knife

Cutting Board

Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1 cup

Click here to see your WW PersonalPoints for this recipe and track it in the WW app or site.

5 *SmartPoints (Green plan)

4 *SmartPoints (Blue plan)

2 *SmartPoints (Purple plan)

6 *PointsPlus (Old plan)

Nutrition Facts

Skinny Peas & Ham Pasta Salad Recipe

Amount Per Serving (1 cup)

Calories 236 Calories from Fat 81

% Daily Value*

Fat 9g14%

Carbohydrates 30g10%

Fiber 4.5g18%

Protein 9g18%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Course: Salad, Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: ham pasta salad, pasta salad, picnic salad with peas

Did you make this recipe?Mention @simplenourishedliving on Instagram and tag #simplenourishedliving - we love to see your creations!

Source: EatingWell (affiliate link)

*Points® calculated by WW. *PointsPlus® and SmartPoints® calculated by Simple Nourished Living; Not endorsed by Weight Watchers International, Inc. All recipe ingredients except optional items included in determining nutritional estimates. SmartPoints® values calculated WITHOUT each plan's ZeroPoint Foods (Green plan, Blue plan, Purple plan) using the WW Recipe Builder.

Watch as The Domestic Geek shares 5 healthy pasta salad recipes:

More Pasta Salad Recipes Made Lighter:

• Avocado BLT Pasta Salad (EmilyBites)
• Chilled Italian Shrimp Tortellini Pasta Salad (SkinnyTaste)
• Loaded Veggie Pasta Salad with Sweet Basil Vinaigrette (EatYourselfSkinny)
• Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad (EmilyBites)
• Zucchini-Noodle "Pasta" Salad (HungryGirl)
• 5-Minute Pea & Arugula Pasta Salad (EatYourselfSkinny)

This video shows how easy it is to make a variation of this pasta salad with tuna:

Find More Easy WW Friendly Pasta Salad Recipes

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