Tasty Mexican Ham Pasta Salad
A bright and creamy pasta salad with diced ham, crisp celery, sweet corn, and fresh cilantro, perfect for potlucks and weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Pasta
- 2 1/2 cups Pasta (rotini) Barilla rotini recommended for texture; substitute fusilli for similar bite
Main Ingredients
- 6 slices Ham, diced into 1/2-inch cubes Use smoked or honey ham for best flavor
- 1 cup Celery, thinly sliced Trim ends and slice thin for crispness
- 1/2 cup Mayonnaise Hellmann’s recommended for extra creaminess
- 1/3 cup Corn Fresh, canned, or thawed frozen corn work well
- 1/4 cup Red onion, finely diced Soak in cold water for 5 minutes to soften sharpness
- 1/4 cup Fresh cilantro, chopped Add at end for brightness; parsley is an alternate herb
- 1/2 tsp Salt Adjust to taste depending on ham saltiness
- 3/4 tsp Pepper Freshly ground black pepper provides the best aroma
Instructions
Cook Pasta
- Boil salted water in a large pot.
- Cook rotini until al dente according to package directions, typically eight to ten minutes.
- Drain pasta in a colander and toss with a splash of olive oil.
- Cool pasta to room temperature on a rimmed baking sheet.
Prepare Ingredients
- Dice ham into uniform 1/2-inch cubes.
- Thinly slice celery and finely dice red onion.
- Drain canned corn and pat dry.
- Chop fresh cilantro and measure mayonnaise, salt, and pepper.
Assemble Salad
- Combine cooled pasta, diced ham, celery, corn, red onion, and cilantro in a large mixing bowl.
- Stir in mayonnaise, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
- Chill salad for at least 30 minutes to meld flavors.
Final Touches
- Stir the salad gently after chilling, then transfer to a serving bowl.
- Garnish with extra cilantro and cracked black pepper.
- Serve chilled and store leftovers in an airtight container.
Notes
For best results, chill for at least 30 minutes before serving. Adjust seasoning before chilling.