Layered Pasta Salad

Layered Pasta Salad is a delightful and satisfying dish that combines the flavors and textures of pasta, fresh vegetables, ham, olives, and cheese, all bound together with a creamy and tangy dressing. This salad is perfect for potlucks, picnics, or as a side dish for any meal.The layers of ingredients not only make this salad visually appealing but also ensure that each bite is filled with a variety of flavors and textures. The creamy dressing adds a delicious tanginess to the salad, while the combination of ham, cheese, and vegetables provides a satisfying and filling meal.This recipe is easy to prepare and can be customized to suit your taste preferences. Feel free to add or substitute ingredients based on what you have on hand or your personal preferences. Additionally, you can make this salad ahead of time and refrigerate it until ready to serve, making it a convenient option for busy days.

Ingredients:

Dressing:

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 3/4 cup sour cream
• 2 teaspoons white wine vinegar
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Salad:

• 3 cups cooked and drained macaroni pasta
• 3 cups chopped romaine lettuce
• 1/2 red bell pepper, diced
• 1/4 cup finely diced red onion
• 1/2 cup thawed frozen green peas
• 1/3 cup chopped celery
• 1 1/2 cups diced ham
• 1/3 cup black olives
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

How To Make Layered Pasta Salad:

1. In a small bowl, whisk together the mayo, sour cream, white wine vinegar, sugar, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and black pepper until well combined. Set aside.
2. In a large trifle bowl or glass dish, start layering the ingredients in the following order: lettuce, cooked pasta, diced red bell pepper, finely diced red onion, thawed green peas, chopped celery, diced ham, black olives, dressing, and shredded cheddar cheese.
3. Repeat the layers as desired until all ingredients are used up, ending with a layer of shredded cheddar cheese on top.
4. Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate for at least 5 hours to allow the flavors to meld together and the salad to chill.
5. Before serving, give the salad a gentle toss to ensure that all the ingredients are evenly coated with the dressin

Tips:

• Be sure to cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente to prevent it from becoming mushy in the salad.
• You can add other vegetables or proteins to the salad, such as cherry tomatoes, cooked chicken, or hard-boiled eggs, to make it even more hearty and nutritious.
• For a vegetarian version, you can omit the ham or replace it with tofu or chickpeas for added protein.