This delicious ham and macaroni salad recipe is a wonderful addition to any holiday table and can be enjoyed all year round. Easy to make with a few simple ingredients, ensalada de coditos will be a hit with everyone who tries it!
Ensalada de coditos is always a staple side dish for our family gatherings. Wonderfully creamy, it’s so easy to make with just a few simple ingredients.
Cooked macaroni is mixed with red onion, peas, bell pepper and ham and finished with a zesty, tangy and creamy dressing. Every mouthful is bursting with flavor and it takes just minutes to make.
For more pasta salad recipes, be sure to check out my Creamy Bow Tie Pasta with Smoked Sausage and Tuna and Penne Pasta Salad.
Ingredients
For the salad
- Elbow Noodles
- Peas
- Red Onion
- Red Bell Pepper
- Diced Ham
For the dressing
- Mayonaisse
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- Paprika
- Salt and Pepper
How to make Macaroni Salad Recipe (Ensalada de Coditos)
- Prepare elbow macaroni noodles according to package directions. Drain well, and let cool.
- In a small bowl combine mayo, vinegar, paprika, salt and pepper. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine elbow noodles, peas, onion, bell pepper and ham. Mix in the dressing and stir until well combined.
- Serve and enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
Macaroni Salad Recipe (Ensalada de Coditos) is the perfect make-ahead side dish, and in fact, it tastes better if you make it a day before to really let the flavors develop. Once you have made the macaroni salad, cover it and keep it in the fridge. It will keep well for 4 or 5 days.
I (obviously!) used macaroni to make this pasta salad. You can, if you like, make this recipe with most short pastas you have to hand. Bow tie or penne will both work well in this recipe.
You can also add in other veggies if you like. Mushrooms, carrots or other colored bell peppers all work well.
This ham macaroni pasta salad is a great recipe to serve all year round. It’s great to serve with your Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner, or serve it up as a summer side dish at a cookout. Try it with:
Oven Roasted Turkey With Mojo
Cuban Style Roasted Pork Shoulder
Grilled Honey Chipotle BBQ Chicken Skewers
Stuffed Sweet Potatoes with Picadillo and Cilantro Lime Sauce
Recipe Notes and Tips
- Cook the pasta al-dente. If you over cook it the salad will be soft and mushy.
- Let the pasta cool completely. If you add the mayonnaise while the pasta is still warm, it can become runny.
- For best results, let the ensalada de coditos sit for at least 2 hours before you serve it.
More Salad Recipes
- Caprese Salad (Insalata Caprese)
- Mexican Grilled Corn Salad (Esquites)
- Cuban Style Quinoa Salad with Mango Avocado Salsa
- Tuna Black Bean Chipotle Salad with Cilantro Avocado Dressing
INGREDIENTS
For the salad
- 8 ounces Elbow Noodles
- ½ cup frozen peas thawed out
- ½ cup red onion chopped
- ½ cup red bell pepper chopped
- ½ pound cooked ham diced
For the dressing
- ½ cup mayonaise
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
INSTRUCTIONS
- Prepare elbow macaroni noodles according to package directions. Drain well, and let cool.
- In a small bowl combine Mayonesa, vinegar, paprika, salt and pepper. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine elbow noodles, peas, onion, bell pepper and ham. Mix in the dressing and stir until well combined.
- Serve and enjoy!
NOTES
- Cook the pasta al-dente. If you over cook it the salad will be soft and mushy.
- Let the pasta cool completely. If you add the mayonnaise while the pasta is still warm, it can become runny.
- For best results, let the pasta sit for at least 2 hours before you serve it.
Nutrition
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