Ham and Cheese Macaroni Salad
Creamy, tangy, and loaded with bold flavors, Ham and Cheese Macaroni Salad is the ultimate crowd-pleasing side dish perfect for potlucks, barbecues, or easy weeknight dinners. This deliciously hearty pasta salad combines tender elbow macaroni with savory diced ham, sharp cheddar cheese cubes, and a medley of crisp vegetables like celery, red bell pepper, and red onion, offering a satisfying mix of textures in every bite. Tossed in a rich dressing made from mayonnaise, sour cream, a touch of mustard, and a hint of apple cider vinegar, this dish strikes the perfect balance of creamy and zesty. Ready in just 25 minutes and best served chilled, this versatile macaroni salad is not only easy to prepare but also customizable with fresh parsley garnish for a pop of color and flavor. Whether you're hosting or meal-prepping, this Ham and Cheese Macaroni Salad is guaranteed to impress!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
- 1 cup cooked ham, diced
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, cubed
- 1 stalk celery, finely chopped
- 0.5 red bell pepper, finely diced
- 0.25 red onion, finely chopped
- 0.75 cup mayonnaise
- 0.25 cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Cook the elbow macaroni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water to cool the pasta and stop the cooking process. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked and cooled macaroni, diced ham, cubed cheddar cheese, chopped celery, diced red bell pepper, and chopped red onion.
In a separate smaller bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, yellow mustard, apple cider vinegar, granulated sugar, salt, and black pepper until smooth and well combined.
Pour the dressing over the macaroni mixture and gently toss until everything is evenly coated.
Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld together.
Before serving, give the salad a final toss and garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired.
Serve chilled and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
502 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 33.6 g | 43% | |
| Saturated Fat | 9.6 g | 48% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 59 mg | 20% | |
| Sodium | 1019 mg | 44% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 31.9 g | 12% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 1.9 g | 7% | |
| Total Sugars | 3.3 g | ||
| Protein | 19.0 g | 38% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.1 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 164 mg | 13% | |
| Iron | 1.8 mg | 10% | |
| Potassium | 216 mg | 5% | |
*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.
