Macaroni Salad with Ham
Creamy, colorful, and bursting with satisfying textures, this Macaroni Salad with Ham is the ultimate crowd-pleaser for picnics, barbecues, or easy weeknight dinners. Tender elbow macaroni is tossed in a luscious, tangy dressing made with mayonnaise, sour cream, mustard, and a touch of white vinegar, perfectly complementing the salty bite of diced ham. Vibrant veggies like celery, red bell pepper, and green onions add a fresh crunch, while chunks of sharp cheddar cheese bring rich, savory depth to every bite. This chilled pasta salad only takes 25 minutes to prepare and tastes even better after a brief rest in the fridge, letting the flavors meld beautifully. Sprinkle with a dash of paprika before serving for a pop of color, and pair with your favorite main dishes for a satisfying meal.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 300 grams elbow macaroni
- 200 grams cooked ham, diced
- 150 grams mayonnaise
- 50 grams sour cream
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
- 2 stalks celery, diced
- 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
- 2 stalks green onions, sliced
- 100 grams sharp cheddar cheese, cubed
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
- 0.5 teaspoon paprika (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain the pasta and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside to cool completely.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, yellow mustard, and white vinegar to create a creamy dressing. Season with salt and black pepper.
Add the cooled macaroni to the dressing and mix well to coat the pasta evenly.
Gently fold in the diced ham, celery, red bell pepper, green onions, and cubed cheddar cheese until well combined.
Taste and adjust seasoning, adding more salt or pepper as needed.
Transfer the salad to a serving bowl. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld.
Before serving, sprinkle with paprika for a pop of color if desired.
Serve chilled and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
499 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 29.7 g | 38% | |
| Saturated Fat | 8.4 g | 42% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 50 mg | 17% | |
| Sodium | 887 mg | 39% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 40.8 g | 15% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.8 g | 10% | |
| Total Sugars | 3.3 g | ||
| Protein | 18.3 g | 37% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.1 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 156 mg | 12% | |
| Iron | 2.1 mg | 12% | |
| Potassium | 262 mg | 6% | |
*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.
