This Macaroni Salad with Ham and Cheese comes together in about 30 minutes and is a no-cook dish that your family will love! Whether it’s a busy weeknight dinner or a fun picnic, this salad is practical and perfect for any occasion!
Ingredients Breakdown
To make this amazing Macaroni Salad with Ham and Cheese, you’ll need the following:
- 3 Cups Elbow Macaroni
- 2 Cups Deli Ham, diced
- 1/2 Cup Celery, chopped
- 1 Large Carrot, shredded
- 1 Cup Munster Cheese, diced into small cubes
- 1/4 Cup Red Onion, diced
- 15 Oz Corn, drained
- 2 Tbs Pickled Jalapeno
- 1/2 Cup Sour Cream
- 1 Cup Mayonnaise
- 2 Tbs Pickled Jalapeno Juice from the jar
- Salt and Pepper to taste
Let’s Get Cooking!
Step 1: Prepare the Pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Once boiling, add the elbow macaroni and cook until al dente; this usually takes about 8-10 minutes. Strain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process. This cools the pasta down so it doesn’t warm up your dressing!
Step 2: Mix the Dressing
In a large bowl, mix together the sour cream, mayonnaise, pickled jalapeno juice, and a couple pinches of salt and pepper. Trust me, this base is where the magic happens! It should smell outrageously good already…
Step 3: Combine the Ingredients
Add the cooled elbow macaroni to the bowl with your creamy dressing. Stir everything together until the pasta is evenly coated.
Step 4: Add the Good Stuff
Throw in the diced ham, chopped celery, grated carrot, cubed Munster cheese, red onion, jalapeños, and corn. Gently toss everything together until all those flavors are combined. It should look colorful and vibrant!
Step 5: Chill or Serve
At this point, you can either serve this immediately, you’ll want to dig in right, with all those creamy and flavorsome bits, or you can cover it and pop it in the fridge for about 30 minutes. This step lets all those incredible flavors meld together nicely.
Step 6: Enjoy!
Grab a spoon, or if you’re like me, just your hands, and enjoy your delicious homemade macaroni salad. It’s time to dig in!
If you loved this Macaroni Salad with Ham and Cheese, be sure to check out my Broccoli Salad, my Steakhouse Potato Salad, or my Chickpea Salad! It’s like a whole salad party on your table!
Why This Recipe Works
Quick & Easy
This macaroni salad comes together in under 30 minutes! Seriously perfect for those rushed evenings or last-minute get-togethers when you just don’t have a lot of time.
Budget-Friendly
Uses affordable, everyday ingredients that you can easily find at your local grocery store. Plus, you can utilize leftovers for a meal that’s kind to your wallet too!
Customizable
This salad is just so easily adaptable! Use whatever ingredients you have. Need to swap out the ham? Try chicken, bacon, or beans, whatever you have in your fridge.
Comfort Food
This dish is loaded with tons of flavor, creamy dressing, and a delightful mix of textures. Every bite feels like a warm hug from good old comfort food!
Make-Ahead Friendly
Perfect for meal prep! You can make a big batch, and it keeps well in the fridge for a few days. Just give it a little stir before serving.
Serving and Storage Tips
What to Serve With This Macaroni Salad with Ham and Cheese
This Macaroni Salad makes a fantastic side dish! Serve it with grilled chicken, burgers, or even alongside a fresh garden salad. You can’t go wrong!
How Long It Keeps
This salad keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. After that, the pasta can become too gummy, so you may want to enjoy it sooner rather than later.
Reheating Instructions
There’s no need to reheat this dish, you’ll want to enjoy it cold (and actually, it tastes better that way)! If you happen to find yourself with leftovers and it’s gotten a tad dry, just mix in some extra mayo or sour cream and a splash of pickle juice for that zing!
Freezer Friendly
Honestly? Not really. The creaminess doesn’t hold up well when frozen, so it’s best enjoyed fresh!
That’s it for the ultimate Macaroni Salad with Ham and Cheese! Hope you try it out and fall in love just like my family has. Seriously, this dish will become a staple on your table, I promise you that! Give it a whirl and let me know how it went.
Happy cooking! And for more recipes, follow us on Pinterest.
Print
Macaroni Salad with Ham and Cheese
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: None
Description
A delicious and customizable macaroni salad that combines ham, cheese, and fresh veggies for a refreshing dish perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
- 3 Cups Elbow Macaroni
- 2 Cups Deli Ham, diced
- 1/2 Cup Celery, chopped
- 1 Large Carrot, shredded
- 1 Cup Munster Cheese, diced into small cubes
- 1/4 Cup Red Onion, diced
- 15 Oz Corn, drained
- 2 Tbs Pickled Jalapeno
- 1/2 Cup Sour Cream
- 1 Cup Mayonnaise
- 2 Tbs Pickled Jalapeno Juice from the jar
- Salt and Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook until al dente; about 8-10 minutes. Strain and rinse with cold water.
- Mix the Dressing: In a large bowl, mix together the sour cream, mayonnaise, pickled jalapeno juice, salt, and pepper.
- Combine the Ingredients: Add the cooled macaroni to the creamy dressing and stir until evenly coated.
- Add the Good Stuff: Incorporate the ham, celery, carrot, cheese, onion, jalapenos, and corn. Toss gently until well mixed.
- Chill or Serve: Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate for about 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
- Enjoy: Serve cold and enjoy your delicious homemade macaroni salad!
Notes
This macaroni salad can be customized with various ingredients according to your preference. It is perfect for meal prep and can be made ahead of time.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 40mg