Warm Ham Pasta Salad Recipe

Warm ham pasta salad is a quick and easy weeknight dinner. With creamy, cheesy mini shell pasta, asparagus, and peas, this recipe is a veggie and pasta lovers dream.

I use asparagus and peas as they are in season now but diced zucchini, carrots and red peppers would also be tasty.

In April, I shared this warm ham pasta recipe with my Door to Wellness class at the Little Red Door cancer agency. It really is one of my favorite quick dinners.

I keep the fat and calories low by using whole wheat pasta, using very little dairy (cheese) and opting to use ham instead of bacon. But make no mistake- this is super awesome with bacon, pancetta or prosciutto. Just give it a quick saute to cook it. Alternately, give the freshly sliced ham a skillet sizzle, too.

As is the case with all of the recipes I make in my classes at Little Red Door, this recipe has cancer fighting foods in it, and can be made with a small grocery budget.

Do you like to add cancer fighting foods to your recipes? Chances are pretty good that you are already doing it, but you may not have ever realized it.

Of course, no food can protect you against getting cancer. But, there is a lot of evidence to show that a diet filled with a variety of fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and beans helps to lower the risk of you getting many types of cancer.

Asparagus and peas are both great foods for helping to prevent cancer. When they’re added to this warm ham pasta salad, it becomes a great way to help keep your body healthy, whether you’re fighting cancer or not!