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    Home » pasta

    5 Ingredient Spring Pasta Salad

    Published: Mar 7, 2021 · Modified: Mar 9, 2024 by burntapple · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

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    Colorful spring pasta salad made with naturally dyed spring time colors and shapes. This pasta salad is sure to become a crowd pleasing favorite as the perfect main or side dish! Only five ingredients and ready in under 20 minutes!

    A close-up photo of a colorful spring pasta salad on a white plate. The salad is composed of rotini pasta, chopped baby spinach, sliced sugar snap peas, halved cherry tomatoes, and crumbled feta cheese

    This pasta salad has been a crowd pleasing favorite for many years in our home. Boasting only five simple ingredients and ready in about twenty minutes it's the perfect recipe and can be easily adapted. If you love easy pasta recipes you should try our pesto pasta salad, watermelon feta pasta salad, or pizza pasta salad.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Substitutions
    • Storing
    • Tips
    • FAQ
    • 5 Ingredient Spring Pasta Salad
    A close-up photo of a delicious 5-ingredient pasta salad on a white plate. Rotini pasta spirals are tossed with chopped cooked ham, cubes of yellow cheddar cheese, and fresh green peas. A light coating of creamy Italian dressing brings everything together.

    Ingredients

    You need just a few simple ingredients to make this salad:

    •  pasta
    • deli ham
    • frozen peas and carrots
    • cheese cubes
    • salad dressing (we used Caesar Italian and ranch dressing)

    Instructions

    • Cook noodles according to package directions. While the noodles are cooking, cut the ham and cheese into bite sized pieces and set aside.
    • When noodles are cooked, drain and rinse noodles in cold water. Place the noodles into a large bowl and stir in the frozen vegetables. Allow vegetables to thaw for five minutes in the pasta.
    • Stir the ham and cheese into the pasta salad mix. Mix until combined. Add the salad dressing (start with ½ cup caesar italian and ½ cup ranch), stir. Add more salad dressing if needed to taste.
    • Serve salad immediately or cover and store in refrigerator. Salad will keep for up to two days. If stored, you may need to add additional salad dressing prior to serving as the noodles will absorb some of the dressing.

    Substitutions

    This recipe is simple and easy to make for different food preferences and allergies.

    • Gluten free: Use gluten free pasta. You can use Orgran Gluten Free Animal Shaped Pasta, Tolerant Kids Gluten Free Plant Based Pasta Shapes or Gluten Free Tri Color Pasta are our favorite gluten free pastas.
    • Dairy free: Use dairy free cheese cubes and substitute dairy free ranch. We use a combination of Primal Kitchen Ranch Dressing and Fody Foods Caesar Italian Dressing.
    • Vegan: Substitute vegan deli meat and use the substitutions for dairy free above. You can also use a different protein like chickpeas, tofu or beans too!

    Storing

    Leftover spring pasta salad can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. Keep in mind that the texture of the pasta and vegetables may soften slightly over time, so it's best enjoyed fresh when possible.

    Tips

    • Made ahead of time and saved for dinner!
    • Have the pasta changed out---use this pretty spring time pasta we used for spring, or other colored noodles for different times of the year. This is a fun and colorful pasta salad!
    • Made easy for different food allergies. I'll make gluten free noodles for me and regular noodles for the husband and kids. It's simple to adapt and adjust this salad.
    • Serve it at events, parties or potlucks!
    • Eat it as a main dish or side dish. It's the perfect easy spring or summer meal!

    FAQ

    Can I make spring pasta salad ahead of time?

    Yes, spring pasta salad can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. Keep it covered to prevent it from drying out, and give it a quick toss before serving to redistribute the dressing. You may need to add a little more dressing as the noodles can absorb the dressing.

    Can I use gluten-free pasta for this salad?

    Absolutely! You can use gluten-free pasta to make this salad suitable for those with gluten sensitivities or dietary restrictions. Just be sure to cook the gluten-free pasta according to the package instructions.

    Can I add a different protein to the salad?

    Yes, you can add a different protein to the salad to make it a complete meal. Grilled chicken, shrimp, tofu, chickpeas, or beans are all excellent options for adding protein and making the salad more satisfying.

    A close-up photo of a colorful spring pasta salad on a white plate. The salad is composed of rotini pasta, chopped baby spinach, sliced sugar snap peas, halved cherry tomatoes, and crumbled feta cheese

    5 Ingredient Spring Pasta Salad

    Traci Wennerholm
    Delight your taste buds with a colorful spring pasta salad. Made with fresh ingredients and ready in under 20 minutes, it's the perfect dish for any occasion.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 10 minutes mins
    5 minutes mins
    Total Time 20 minutes mins
    Course Main Course, pasta
    Cuisine American
    Servings 6 servings
    Calories 461 kcal

    Equipment

    • large serving bowl

    Ingredients
      

    • 8 ounces pasta
    • 8 ounces deli ham
    • 8-12 ounces frozen peas and carrots
    • 1 ½ cups cheese cubes we used colby jack
    • 1-2 cups salad dressing we used half Caesar Italian and ranch dressing

    Instructions
     

    • Begin by cooking the noodles according to the instructions on the package. While the noodles are cooking, proceed to the next steps.
    • While waiting for the noodles to cook, cut the ham and cheese into bite-sized pieces. Set them aside for later use.
    • Once the noodles are cooked, drain them and rinse them under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool them down. Transfer the noodles to a large bowl.
    • Stir in the frozen vegetables with the cooked noodles. Allow the vegetables to thaw for about five minutes in the warmth of the pasta.
    • Add the previously prepared ham and cheese pieces to the pasta salad mix. Mix everything together until well combined.
    • Pour in the salad dressing, starting with ½ cup of Caesar Italian dressing and ½ cup of ranch dressing. Stir the salad well to distribute the dressing evenly. Add more salad dressing if desired, adjusting to taste.
    • Serve the pasta salad immediately or cover it and store it in the refrigerator. The salad can be kept for up to two days. If storing, you may need to add additional salad dressing before serving, as the noodles tend to absorb some of the dressing over time.

    Notes

    What Type of Noodles Do I Use?
    Wheat Noodles
    There are several types of fun noodles you can use for this recipe. All of these are naturally dyed pastas. Some of our favorites are:
    * Barilla Tri Color Rotini pasta
    * Wacky Mac
    * Shaped Pasta--dinosaurs, farm animals, cartoon characters, etc.
    * Torino Farfalline Pasta (pictured in recipe--we found ours at Target)
    What Salad Dressings to Use?
    There are several salad dressings we use but we mix a Caesar Italian and Ranch dressing. You can choose whatever dressing you like but these have always been our favorite flavors.
    Ranch Dressing:
    Hidden Valley Ranch
    Primal Kitchen Ranch Dressing (Dairy Free, Vegan)
    Caesar Italian:
    Fody Foods Caesar Italian Dressing (Dairy Free, FODMAP friendly, Vegan)
    Bernstein Light Fantastic Cheese Fantastico
     

    Nutrition

    Calories: 461kcalCarbohydrates: 38gProtein: 21gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 6gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0.03gCholesterol: 52mgSodium: 1054mgPotassium: 320mgFiber: 2gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 3887IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 226mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword 5 ingredient pasta salad, pasta salad, spring pasta salad
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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    Hi, I'm Traci! Cooking hasn't always come easy. I'm the burnt pancake on one side and perfect on the other pancake person that serves it to you with the pretty side up. I've learned to cook and make it look easy to my family and others. I'm now helping you save time & money with easy simple recipes with five ingredients or less!

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