A lentil pasta salad may not seem like it should be a staple in your house but trust me when I say it should be.
With smokey ham and three different types of vegetables lentil pasta salad is a healthy side or main dish.
Kids and adults will enjoy it.
Smokey Ham and Lentil Pasta salad is also a great pick for your next potluck.
Just increase the amount of the ingredients as needed.
There is mayonnaise in the dish so it will need to be kept chilled but since it can be served cold it is still a good option for summer picnics.
Smokey Ham And Lentil Pasta Salad Recipe
Serves 8-10
Ingredients
- 8oz penne pasta, cooked & drained
- 1/2 lb lentils
- 1/2 lb ham steak, cubed
- 1 small broccoli crown, chopped
- 1 small red pepper, diced
- 1/2 cup frozen peas, thawed
- 1/2 cup Italian Dressing
- 2/3 cup Mayonnaise
- Salt & Pepper
Instructions
To prepare the lentils, soak them for 10 minutes (even though the bag says no soaking required).
It will speed up the cooking process.
Remove any that float to the surface, these are more than likely dried up and do not need to be in your finished dish.
Drain the water and start fresh cooking per the bag instructions.
Add a few cubes of ham to the lentils while they cook.
When the lentils are fork tender (be careful not to over cook or they will be mushy), remove from heat and set aside to cool.
In a large bowl- add the dressing and mayonnaise.
Mix well.
Add the pasta, chopped broccoli, diced red pepper, peas, cubed ham and cold lentils.
Mix well, salt & pepper to taste.
Smokey Ham And Lentil Pasta Salad Recipe
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If you liked this recipe check these out; BBQ Chicken Salad with Strawberries, Cranberry Broccoli and Walnut Salad, Watermelon Feta Salad Recipe, Perfect Summer Fruit Salad and Red Skin Potato Salad.
Looks delicious and perfect for summer ! Will have to make this salad! Thank you.
Looks quite delicious, I may have to try this!
It looks tasty and nutritious. Great to keep in the frig when everyone is on a different schedule.
Sure does look delicious and healthy for great summer supper. Hubs and Iike one pot/bowl/dish meals and this looks/sounds like it would be perfect for us. Printed this out, will try it when we get back from vacation to San Diego and Tucson, our first real vacation since 1992.
Happy daze
It does look like this would be a good salad to make a huge batch of and keep on hand in the fridge! Would be great for to-go lunches too. Thanks for sharing at #HomeMattersParty
Could I make this without the mayonnaise? No greek yogurt either as a substitute either. I don’t like it but love Italian Dressing. I wonder how it would taste with just the dressing? I may have to try this with just the dressing as I think we have everything for this. It sounds yummy!