1905 Pasta Salad

If you've ever been to the Columbia Restaurant, chances are you've fallen in love with their famous 1905 Salad. I still remember the first time I ordered it—I was completely hooked after just one bite. The crisp lettuce, savory ham and Swiss cheese, tangy olives, and garlicky dressing all come together to create a salad that's simple yet absolutely unforgettable. From that moment on, I knew I had to recreate those incredible flavors at home.

This easy pasta salad takes everything I love about the classic 1905 Salad and transforms it into a hearty, crowd-pleasing dish that's perfect for potlucks, cookouts, meal prep, or an easy weeknight dinner. Tender pasta soaks up the zesty dressing while all of the signature ingredients come together in every delicious bite. It's fresh, flavorful, and comes together with minimal effort, making it one of those recipes you'll find yourself making again and again. If you're a fan of the original—or just love a good pasta salad—this recipe is sure to become a new favorite.

Key ingredients needed for this easy pasta salad

For a complete list of ingredients and quantities, scroll down to the recipe card

• Cooked pasta, such as rotini, bowtie, or penne
• Swiss cheese, sliced into strips
• Smoked deli ham, cut into thin strips
• Pimento stuffed green olives for that signature tangy bite
• Fresh tomatoes for a juicy, colorful burst of flavor

How to make this cold noodle salad

Make the dressing

• Mix mayonnaise, garlic, salt, pepper and oregano in a bowl.
• While whisking, slowly pour in vinegar, olive oil, worcestershire sauce and lemon juice.
• Cover and store in the refrigerator until ready to pour into the salad.

Prepare the salad

• Boil rotini pasta in salted water until al dente. Drain it, toss it with some butter, and set it aside to cool.
• Chop your cherry tomatoes and olives, julienne the ham and swiss cheese slices.
• Toss everything together in a big bowl! Season to taste, cool and then dig in.

Variations and substitutions for this cold pasta dish

Variations

• Make it vegetarian: Skip the ham and add chickpeas, marinated artichoke hearts, or extra cheese for a satisfying meatless version.
• Try a different pasta: Rotini, bowtie, penne, fusilli, or cavatappi all work well because they hold onto the dressing.
• Add more veggies: Toss in cucumber, roasted red peppers, red onion, pepperoncini, or chopped romaine for extra crunch and freshness.
• Switch up the cheese: Swiss is traditional, but provolone, mozzarella pearls, or mild white cheddar are delicious alternatives.
• Make it heartier: Add grilled chicken, salami, turkey, or pepperoni for a protein-packed pasta salad that's perfect as a main dish.
• Turn up the flavor: Sprinkle in extra grated Parmesan, fresh parsley, or a pinch of red pepper flakes for even more flavor.

Substitutions

• Ham: Substitute turkey, grilled chicken, salami, or leave it out for a vegetarian option.
• Swiss cheese: Use provolone, mozzarella, Monterey Jack, or white cheddar.
• Green olives: Kalamata or black olives work well if you prefer a different flavor.
• Tomatoes: Cherry or grape tomatoes are ideal, but diced Roma tomatoes can also be used.
• Pasta: Any short pasta shape, including rotini, bowties, shells, penne, or fusilli, works perfectly.
• Fresh garlic: Replace with ½ teaspoon garlic powder if needed, though fresh garlic gives the dressing the best flavor.
• Red wine vinegar: White wine vinegar or champagne vinegar can be substituted in a pinch while still keeping the dressing bright and tangy.

Storage Instructions for this Columbia 1905 salad pasta salad

• Refrigerate leftovers: Store the pasta salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.
• Stir before serving: The pasta may absorb some of the dressing as it sits, so give it a good stir before serving.
• Refresh if needed: If the salad seems dry, add a small splash of olive oil, mayonnaise, or extra dressing to bring it back to life.
• Keep it chilled: Since this pasta salad contains ham and cheese, don’t leave it sitting out at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
• Make-ahead tip: You can prepare it a day in advance, but for the freshest texture, add tomatoes and any crisp ingredients shortly before serving.
• Avoid freezing: This pasta salad does not freeze well. The pasta can become mushy, and the tomatoes, cheese, and dressing may change texture after thawing.

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