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If you’re hosting an outdoor gathering or headed to a potluck, this Mexican macaroni salad will be a hit. And it comes together in a snap! It only takes 20 minutes to whip up, and can easily be made ahead of time.
What Is Mexican Macaroni Salad?
Also known as ensalada de coditos (which roughly translates to “elbow macaroni salad”), this classic Mexican dish is usually served at picnics, quinceaneras and family gatherings. Recipes may include different types of cubed vegetables like red peppers, carrots and celery, but the pickled jalapeno and cubed ham come standard. That’s what makes this dish different from other macaroni salad recipes. A crowd-pleaser all year round, you can’t go wrong bringing this colorful dish to the table for your next get-together!
Mexican Macaroni Salad Recipe
Ingredients
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- 2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon juice from pickled jalapeno slices
- 3/4 teaspoon ground mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon pepper
- 2 cups cubed fully cooked ham
- 1 can (14-1/2 ounces) mixed vegetables, drained
- 1/3 cup pickled jalapeno slices, chopped
Tools
Sauce pan: Choose one that’s at least three quarts in size. The cooks in our Test Kitchen love this Caraway saucepan because it features a non-toxic, ceramic-coated interior.
Spatula: This is the world’s best-reviewed spatula, and comes with a lifetime guarantee to back it up.
Measuring spoons: This nesting set with a vintage-inspired silver finish stores easily and looks pretty cute when in use.
Directions
Step 1: Prepare macaroni
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In a saucepan, bring salted water to a boil and cook the macaroni to al dente. Then drain and rinse with cold water to get rid of the extra starch. (This keeps pasta from getting mushy when tossed with the dressing.) Cool pasta completely before mixing with other ingredients.
Step 2: Combine the ingredients
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First, make the dressing. In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, sour cream, jalapeno juice, mustard, salt and pepper.
In a large bowl, combine ham, mixed vegetables, jalapenos and cooled cooked macaroni. Pour in dressing slowly, gently tossing to coat ingredients.
Step 3: Refrigerate and serve
Refrigerate until serving, at least 2 hours. This allows the flavors to meld together. To serve, garnish with additional pickled jalapeno slices, if desired.
Tips for Making Mexican Macaroni Salad
What type of ham should I use?
Use a pre-cooked, boneless ham for easy cubing. Also, avoid hams with a lot of additional flavors (e.g. smoked or spiced varieties) that could compete with other ingredients in the salad.
How do I keep macaroni from absorbing all of the dressing?
Be sure to cook the elbow pasta to al dente, and rinse with cold water after cooking. Both of these simple steps will ensure that your pasta doesn’t absorb all the dressing.
What can I serve with Mexican macaroni salad?
Any Mexican favorites would be great to pair with this macaroni salad, just be sure there’s a good mix of main dishes and sides. Make your favorite fajitas or tacos, alongside chips and salsa, Mexican rice and some refried beans. The possibilities are endless!
Can I make this salad ahead of time?
Yes, this macaroni salad is even better and more flavorful if made the night before! Just be sure to refrigerate, covered, to keep everything nice and fresh.
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