Savory Ranch Ham & Bow Tie Salad
Elevate your salad game with this Savory Ranch Ham & Bow Tie Salad, a delightful amalgamation of flavors and textures. Perfectly cooked bow tie pasta serves as the base for a generous portion of chopped ham, crisp celery, and a splash of colorful pimento-stuffed olives. Tossed in a luscious ranch dressing made vibrant with a hint of mustard and celery seed, this dish combines hearty ingredients for a light yet satisfying meal. Ideal for preparing in the morning and serving later in the evening, it’s a crowd-pleaser for any occasion. As a finishing touch, add a sprinkle of sunflower seeds or crispy onion rings for an irresistible crunch. Pair it with thick slices of toasted garlic bread for a complete dining experience.
N/A
Servings
250
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
dry bow tie pasta
2 cups (cooked and drained)
olive oil
1 tablespoon (for tossing pasta)
cooked ham
2-3 cups (chopped)
onion
1/2 cup (chopped (optional))
celery
1/2 cup (chopped)
pimento stuffed olives
1/3 cup (chopped)
ranch dressing
3/4 cup (to dress salad)
white pepper
1/2 teaspoon (for seasoning)
yellow mustard
1/2 teaspoon (for flavoring)
celery seed
1/4 teaspoon (for seasoning)
evaporated milk or cream
1 tablespoon (optional, for creaminess)
Instructions
1
Begin by cooking the bow tie pasta in a large pot according to package instructions. Drain and cool the pasta before proceeding.
2
In a large salad bowl, add the cooled pasta and drizzle with one tablespoon of olive oil. Toss well to ensure the pasta is coated and prevent sticking.
3
Add the chopped ham, onions, celery, and pimento-stuffed olives to the bowl. If preferred, you can substitute regular onions with green onions for a milder flavor, using the tops generously.
4
In a separate small mixing bowl, combine the ranch dressing, white pepper, yellow mustard, celery seed, and optional evaporated milk or cream. Mix until smooth and well integrated.
5
Pour the dressing mixture over the pasta and ham mixture, and stir gently to combine all ingredients thoroughly.
6
Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 2-3 hours, allowing the flavors to meld together beautifully.
7
Just before serving, garnish with unsalted sunflower seeds, crushed canned onion rings, or chopped nuts for an extra layer of texture.
8
Serve alongside thick slices of toasted garlic bread for a satisfying meal.
Nutrition Information
13g
Fat
25g
Carbs
10g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Savory Ranch Ham & Bow Tie Salad?
It is a flavorful pasta salad featuring bow tie pasta, chopped ham, celery, and pimento-stuffed olives tossed in a tangy ranch and mustard dressing.
How much bow tie pasta do I need?
The recipe requires 2 cups of dry bow tie pasta, which should be cooked and drained.
How much ham is used in this recipe?
You will need between 2 to 3 cups of chopped cooked ham.
What vegetables are included in the salad?
The salad includes 1/2 cup of chopped onion and 1/2 cup of chopped celery.
Can I substitute the onions?
Yes, you can substitute regular onions with green onions for a milder flavor, using the tops generously.
What ingredients make up the dressing?
The dressing consists of ranch dressing, white pepper, yellow mustard, and celery seed.
How do I prevent the pasta from sticking?
After cooling the pasta, drizzle it with one tablespoon of olive oil and toss well to ensure it is coated.
How long should I refrigerate the salad?
The salad should be covered and refrigerated for at least 2-3 hours before serving to allow flavors to meld.
What are the recommended garnishes?
You can garnish the salad with unsalted sunflower seeds, crushed canned onion rings, or chopped nuts for extra texture.
Is there a way to make the dressing creamier?
Yes, you can optionally add one tablespoon of evaporated milk or cream to the dressing mixture.
What should I serve with this salad?
It is recommended to serve this dish alongside thick slices of toasted garlic bread.
How many calories are in a serving?
There are approximately 250 calories per serving.
How much protein is in this dish?
Each serving provides 10g of protein.
What is the fat content per serving?
Each serving contains 13g of fat.
How many carbohydrates are in this salad?
There are 25g of carbohydrates per serving.
How many pimento-stuffed olives are used?
The recipe calls for 1/3 cup of chopped pimento-stuffed olives.
What kind of mustard is used?
Yellow mustard is used to provide extra flavoring to the dressing.
What seasonings are required?
The seasonings include 1/2 teaspoon of white pepper and 1/4 teaspoon of celery seed.
Can this recipe be prepared in advance?
Yes, it is ideal for making in the morning and serving later in the evening.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 11 total ingredients listed for this recipe.
Is this salad served hot or cold?
This is a chilled salad that should be served cold after refrigeration.
How much ranch dressing is needed?
You will need 3/4 cup of ranch dressing.
What is the preparation for the ham?
The ham should be cooked and then chopped into pieces.
Should I mix the dressing ingredients separately?
Yes, combine the ranch dressing, pepper, mustard, celery seed, and milk in a separate small mixing bowl before adding to the pasta.
Is this a good recipe for summer?
Yes, it is specifically tagged as a summer recipe and a chilled salad, making it perfect for warm weather.
Is this recipe considered difficult?
No, it is tagged as an easy recipe and a crowd-pleaser for any occasion.
What type of pepper is recommended?
White pepper is specifically recommended for seasoning the dressing.
Is there fiber information available for this recipe?
The nutritional data for fiber is currently listed as null for this specific recipe.
What tags are associated with this recipe?
The tags include salad, pasta salad, ham salad, ranch dressing, easy recipe, chilled salad, summer recipes, and meal prep.
How do you finish the salad right before serving?
Just before serving, you should add your chosen garnish of sunflower seeds, onion rings, or nuts to maintain their crunch.