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.

Nutriscore Rating: 61/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:25 mins

Servings: 6

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

Directions

Step 1

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.

Step 2

Drain the macaroni and rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process. Let it drain completely and set aside.

Step 3

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.

Step 4

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.

Step 5

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.

Step 6

Fold in the chopped parsley and adjust the seasoning if needed.

Step 7

Cover the bowl and refrigerate the salad for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld.

Step 8

Before serving, give the salad another stir and garnish with extra parsley if desired. Serve chilled.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	862 grams (862.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2524

Total Fat 157.60g	202%
Saturated Fat 21.40g	107%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3.30g
Cholesterol 221mg	74%
Sodium 4007mg	174%
Total Carbohydrate 234.80g	85%
Dietary Fiber 14.40g	51%
Total Sugars 26.80g
Protein 41.60g	83%

Vitamin D 7IU	33%
Calcium 176mg	14%
Iron 9mg	52%
Potassium 1052mg	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.

Source of Calories

Fat: 56.2%

Protein: 6.6%

Carbs: 37.2%