Simple Pasta Salad
40 min
Perfect for lunchboxes or a quick weeknight fix — pasta, ham, cheese, and sugar snap peas. Done in under 40 minutes.
pastasaladlunchbox
Perfect for lunchboxes — quick to throw together and kids actually eat it without complaints.
Instructions
- 1
Cook the pasta according to the package instructions, then drain and let it cool completely.
- 2
Cut the cucumber into quarters lengthwise, then scoop out the seedy middle — this keeps it fresher longer in the lunchbox. Chop into bite-sized pieces. Dice the red pepper into small cubes.
- 3
Toss the cucumber, pepper, corn, pasta, and ham together in a bowl.
- 4
Stir together the oil and lemon juice, then pour it over the salad and mix well.
Per average serving
272
Calories
kcal
16.3
Protein
g
35.2
Carbs
g
7.3
Fat
g
2.1g
Fiber
3.5g
Sugar
652mg
Sodium
Family Portions
2portions
Adults
2
Children
No children added
Ingredients
Per average serving
272
Calories
kcal
16.3
Protein
g
35.2
Carbs
g
7.3
Fat
g
2.1g
Fiber
3.5g
Sugar
652mg
Sodium
Tips from the kitchen
- Let the pasta cool completely before mixing everything together. If it's still warm, it makes the cucumber go soggy fast. Spread it out on a plate or tray to speed things up.
- Scooping out the seedy middle of the cucumber is worth the extra minute. Seeds hold a lot of water and they'll make the whole salad wet by lunchtime if you leave them in.
- Cut the ham into small cubes rather than strips. Kids tend to pick out anything that looks like a big chunk, and smaller pieces mix through better so you get a bit of everything in each forkful.
- The dressing is just oil and lemon juice, so it's light on purpose. Toss it right before packing the lunchbox if you can, or at least give the salad a good stir in the morning so the dressing coats everything again.
Ways to vary it
- Swap the ham for cooked chicken or tuna from a can. Both work well with the lemon and oil dressing and most kids are fine with either.
- Add a handful of halved cherry tomatoes or some grated carrot if you want to stretch the veg. Neither one changes the character of the salad.
- For older kids or adults, a small spoonful of mild mustard stirred into the dressing gives it a bit more depth without making it sharp.
Storage & leftovers
Keeps well in the fridge for up to 2 days in a sealed container. The cucumber softens a little by day two but it's still good. This one doesn't freeze, the pasta and veg go mushy. No reheating needed, it's meant to be eaten cold.
What to serve with it
A piece of fruit and a small bread roll rounds out a lunchbox nicely. At home, it works alongside a simple soup.
UC
By Untrained ChefPublished 17 July 2026
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