Summer Pasta Salad with Ham and Fontina Cheese

Tasty and easy to make, this pasta salad is a great choice for a hot day. An authentic Italian recipe from our kitchen to yours. Buon Appetito!

Ingredients

- 1/2 pound short pasta such as bow ties or penne

- 1/4 pound cooked ham slices

- 2 cups arugula

- 1/2 pint cherry tomatoes

- 2 ounces Fontina Val d'Aosta cheese

- Extra virgin olive oil

- Vinegar

- Salt

Directions

1. Prepare and cook the pasta according to the manufacturer's instructions. Once cooked, drain the pasta well and rinse it with cold water to stop the cooking process. Dry the pasta thoroughly and set aside to cool further.

2. While the pasta is cooling, cut the ham slices into 1/2 inch squares and place them in a mixing bowl.

3. Slice the cherry tomatoes in halves and place them in the mixing bowl with the ham.

4. Clean the arugula and dry it well. Chop it roughly and place it in the bowl the tomatoes and the ham.

5. Dice the fontina into 1/2 inch cubes and add it to the mixing bowl.

6. Add the cooled pasta to the mixing bowl and toss all ingredients well.

7. Drizzle the salad with olive oil and vinegar to your taste and salt as needed. Mix well.

8. Plate the salad and serve.