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Pesto Pasta and Ham Salad

This Pesto Pasta and Ham Salad has romaine, ham, and tomatoes that are combined with walnut pesto covered pasta.

Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
35 mins
Servings: 6 -8 servings
Course: Salad
Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

Walnut Pesto
  • 1/2 cup walnuts
  • 2 cups lightly packed basil leaves
  • 2 cloves garlic grated
  • 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
  • 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
Dressing
  • 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • salt and pepper
Salad
  • 8 oz mini farfalle pasta
  • 3 romaine hearts shredded
  • 1 1/2 cups cubed ham
  • 2 pints Cherry or grape tomatoes halved
  • Shaved parmesan

Instructions

Make the Pesto:
    Cup of Yum
  1. Place the walnuts in a small skillet and cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until toasted and fragrant. Place the walnuts in a food processor. Add the basil, garlic and parmesan to the food processor. Pulse a few times to chop and combine. With the food processor on, stream in the olive oil until all of the ingredients come together. Season to taste with salt.
Make the dressing:
  1. Place the white wine vinegar and olive oil in a jar with a tight fitting lid. Add in half of the pesto and season with salt and pepper. Screw on the lid and shake vigorously to combine.
Make the salad:
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente. Drain.
  2. Place the pasta in a large bowl and add half of the pesto. (The other half goes into the dressing.) Stir to coat the pasta with the pesto.
  3. In a large bowl, combine the romaine, ham and tomatoes. Stir in the pasta. Add the dressing and toss to coat. Serve topped with shaved parmesan.