Pasta Shell and Shrimp or Ham Salad

Perfect for warm-weather gatherings or a light lunch, this Pasta Shell and Shrimp or Ham Salad is a creamy and refreshing dish that’s as versatile as it is delicious. Featuring tender pasta shells paired with your choice of succulent shrimp or savory ham, this salad comes alive with a zesty dressing of mayonnaise, sour cream, Dijon mustard, and lemon juice. Crunchy celery, sweet peas, and red onions add texture and brightness, while a touch of parsley offers a fresh, herby finish. Prep this easy pasta salad ahead of time, as chilling allows the flavors to meld beautifully. Whether served as a side or a main, this crowd-pleaser is sure to satisfy! Perfect keywords for this recipe include "pasta salad with shrimp," "ham pasta salad," "easy summer salad," and "make-ahead pasta dishes."

Nutriscore Rating: 72/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 cups medium pasta shells
• 1 cup cooked shrimp (peeled and deveined) or diced cooked ham
• 0.5 cup mayonnaise
• 0.25 cup sour cream
• 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 2 stalks celery (finely diced)
• 0.25 cup red onion (finely diced)
• 0.5 cup frozen peas (thawed)
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (chopped, optional)

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.

Step 2

Cook the medium pasta shells according to the package instructions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes.

Step 3

Drain the pasta, rinse under cold water, and set aside to fully cool.

Step 4

In a large mixing bowl, combine mayonnaise, sour cream, dijon mustard, and lemon juice. Whisk until smooth.

Step 5

Add the cooked shrimp (or diced ham), celery, red onion, and thawed peas to the bowl.

Step 6

Gently fold in the cooled pasta shells, ensuring everything is evenly coated with the dressing.

Step 7

Season with salt and black pepper, adjusting to taste.

Step 8

If desired, sprinkle fresh parsley over the top for a pop of color and flavor.

Step 9

Refrigerate the salad for at least 1 hour before serving to allow the flavors to meld together.

Step 10

Serve chilled and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1126.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2941.5

Total Fat 110.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 17.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.0g
Cholesterol 607.5mg	0%
Sodium 2547.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 377.6g	0%
Dietary Fiber 21.8g	0%
Total Sugars 29.2g
Protein 120.8g	0%

Vitamin D 422.2IU	0%
Calcium 331.3mg	0%
Iron 9.2mg	0%
Potassium 1703.0mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 33.3%

Protein: 16.2%

Carbs: 50.5%