Macaroni Ham Salad
Creamy, savory, and bursting with fresh crunch, this Macaroni Ham Salad is the perfect make-ahead dish for potlucks, picnics, or light lunches. Featuring tender elbow macaroni, hearty diced ham, and crisp vegetables like celery, red bell pepper, and red onion, every bite is a delicious mix of textures and flavors. The rich, tangy dressing—made with mayonnaise, sour cream, Dijon mustard, and a hint of apple cider vinegar—perfectly binds the ingredients together, while a touch of sugar balances the flavors. Fresh parsley adds a pop of color and herbal freshness, making this chilled salad a standout side dish or meal. Ready in under 30 minutes and best served after chilling, it’s an easy recipe that's as versatile as it is satisfying.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
- 1 cup ham
- 0.75 cup mayonnaise
- 0.25 cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 1 cup celery
- 0.5 cup red bell pepper
- 0.25 cup red onion
- 2 tablespoons parsley
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook according to the package directions, about 8-10 minutes, until tender but still firm to the bite.
Drain the macaroni and rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process. Let it drain completely and set aside.
Dice the ham into small, bite-sized cubes. Dice the celery, red bell pepper, and red onion into similar-sized pieces. Chop the parsley finely.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, and sugar until smooth. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
Add the drained macaroni, diced ham, celery, red bell pepper, and red onion to the bowl with the dressing. Toss everything together thoroughly until the macaroni and vegetables are evenly coated.
Fold in the chopped parsley and adjust the seasoning if needed.
Cover the bowl and refrigerate the salad for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld.
Before serving, give the salad another stir and garnish with extra parsley if desired. Serve chilled.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2524 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 157.6 g | 202% | |
| Saturated Fat | 21.4 g | 107% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3.3 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 221 mg | 74% | |
| Sodium | 4007 mg | 174% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 234.8 g | 85% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 14.4 g | 51% | |
| Total Sugars | 26.8 g | ||
| Protein | 41.6 g | 83% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.2 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 176 mg | 14% | |
| Iron | 9.4 mg | 52% | |
| Potassium | 1052 mg | 22% | |
*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.
