A cold pasta salad built for everyday meals: ham, Edam cheese, carrot, and peas brought together with just enough mayonnaise. Creamy but loose, colorful, and filling, it works equally well as an easy lunch, cold dinner, or packed meal.
Bring the water to a boil with the salt and add the short pasta. Cook according to the package directions, usually 8 to 10 minutes, aiming for al dente. Add the diced carrot with 4 minutes remaining and the peas with 2 minutes remaining, so both become tender while keeping their shape.
Drain the pasta and vegetables in a colander and briefly rinse under cool running water just until the cooking stops. Shake thoroughly and drain for 5 minutes
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While the pasta drains, cut the ham and Edam cheese into small, even cubes. Place them in a large bowl with the mayonnaise and fold gently until evenly distributed.
Add the pasta with carrot and peas to the bowl and fold for about 30 seconds, only until everything is coated in a creamy layer and the ham and cheese cubes are evenly distributed. Refrigerate for 7 minutes, until evenly chilled. And that's it! It should be creamy yet loose, with firm pasta and plenty of ham and cheese in every spoonful 😌
