Ham and Cheddar Macaroni Salad

Nutriscore Rating: 54/100

Creamy, tangy, and packed with texture, this Ham and Cheddar Macaroni Salad is the ultimate side dish for any occasion. Perfectly cooked elbow macaroni serves as the base, tossed in a rich dressing made with mayonnaise, sour cream, Dijon mustard, and a subtle splash of apple cider vinegar for a zesty kick. Diced ham brings savory goodness, while cubes of sharp cheddar cheese add bursts of flavor. Crunchy celery, sweet red bell pepper, and finely diced red onion lend vibrant color and satisfying crunch to every bite. Garnished with fresh parsley (optional) and chilled to perfection, this easy-to-make pasta salad is ideal for picnics, potlucks, and weeknight meals. Simple, flavorful, and family-friendly—this recipe is a sure crowd-pleaser!

Recipe Information

• Prep Time: 20 min
• Cook Time: 10 min
• Total Time: 30 min
• Servings: 6 servings
• Difficulty: Medium

🥘 Ingredients

14 items

• 2 cups Elbow macaroni
• 1 cup Cooked ham, diced
• 1 cup Cheddar cheese, cubed
• 1 cup Celery, finely chopped
• 0.5 cup Red bell pepper, diced
• 0.25 cup Red onion, finely diced
• 0.75 cup Mayonnaise
• 0.25 cup Sour cream
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon Apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon Sugar
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 2 tablespoons Chopped parsley (optional)

📝 Instructions

8 steps

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook according to package instructions for al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside.

2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the mayonnaise, sour cream, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, sugar, salt, and black pepper. Whisk until the dressing is smooth and well blended.

3. Add the cooked and cooled macaroni to the bowl with the dressing. Toss gently to coat the pasta evenly.

4. Stir in the diced ham, cubed cheddar cheese, chopped celery, diced red bell pepper, and finely diced red onion. Mix until all ingredients are evenly distributed.

5. If desired, fold in chopped parsley for a fresh, herby flavor.

6. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld together.

7. Before serving, give the salad a gentle stir and taste to adjust seasoning if needed.

8. Serve cold and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

1 serving (208.5g)

Calories		599
% Daily Value*
Total Fat		41.3 g	53%
	Saturated Fat	14.2 g	71%
	Polyunsaturated Fat	0.0 g
Cholesterol		81 mg	27%
Sodium		1201 mg	52%
Total Carbohydrate		33.1 g	12%
	Dietary Fiber	2.3 g	8%
	Total Sugars	4.2 g
Protein		24.4 g	49%
Vitamin D		0.4 mcg	2%
Calcium		324 mg	25%
Iron		1.9 mg	10%
Potassium		309 mg	7%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 2230 cal (61.8%%)

Protein: 584 cal (16.2%%)

Carbs: 795 cal (22.0%%)