Mama's Homemade Pasta Salad

Trying to figure out what to bring to  a Memorial Day barbecues or picnics with family and friends?  Check out my recipe for Mama's Homemade 7 layered pasta salad.  Please give feedback or even ingredient supplemental ideas.

Total Time:

30 min

Prep:

20 min

Cook:

10 min

Yield:8 servings

Level:Easy

Ingredients

Kosher salt

8 ounces farfalle (about 4 cups)

2 stalks broccoli, cut into florets

1/2 cup mayonnaise

1/2 cup buttermilk

1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives

1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

Juice of 1 lime

Freshly ground pepper

2 avocados, diced

1 12 -ounce piece deli ham, diced (about 2 cups)

8 ounces yellow cheddar cheese, shredded

1 small head romaine lettuce, sliced

2 tomatoes, diced

Ready to Start Mixing?
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente (about 2 minutes less than the label directs), adding the broccoli during the last 4 minutes of cooking. Drain the pasta and broccoli and rinse under cool water; shake off the excess. Remove the broccoli and pat dry.

Whisk the mayonnaise, buttermilk, 1/4 cup chives, the parsley, half of the lime juice, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and pepper to taste. Toss the pasta and a few tablespoons of the dressing in a medium bowl.

Assemble the salad: Toss the avocados with the remaining lime juice in a large glass serving bowl and season with salt; arrange in an even layer. Top with layers of the ham, broccoli, pasta, cheese, lettuce and tomatoes. Drizzle some of the remaining dressing on top and sprinkle with the remaining 1 tablespoon chives, or cover and refrigerate the salad and dressing separately up to 6 hours. (Bring to room temperature before serving.)