Description

A creamy, tangy, and budget-friendly macaroni salad featuring diced ham, sweet pickles, and a rich dressing. This make-ahead dish is perfect for summer gatherings, picnics, and BBQs, offering a reliable and kid-approved side that holds up well in the heat.

Ingredients

Scale

1 pound elbow macaroni
Water and salt (for boiling pasta)
1.5 cups diced smoked ham (about 200g)
1 cup chopped sweet pickles (about 150g)
1/2 medium red onion, finely diced (about 50g)
2 stalks celery, diced (about 60g)
1 cup full-fat mayonnaise (240g)
1/2 cup sour cream (120g)
2 tablespoons yellow mustard
1 tablespoon white vinegar
1 teaspoon granulated sugar
1 teaspoon dried dill
Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add elbow macaroni and cook until al dente, stopping 1-2 minutes early. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool completely. Spread on a baking sheet to ensure it is fully cooled.
While the pasta cools, dice the ham, sweet pickles, red onion, and celery into small, uniform pieces.
In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, yellow mustard, white vinegar, sugar, dried dill, salt, and pepper until smooth and creamy.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, diced ham, pickles, onion, and celery.
Pour the dressing over the ingredients and gently fold everything together until the pasta is evenly coated.
Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight, to allow flavors to meld.
Before serving, give the salad a good stir to reincorporate any settled dressing. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve chilled.

Notes

Ensure the pasta is completely cool before mixing to prevent the mayonnaise from separating. If the salad looks dry after chilling, add a tablespoon of milk or heavy cream to restore creaminess. Do not freeze this salad as the dairy will separate. It stores well in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Side Dish
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1
Calories: 320
Sugar: 6
Sodium: 650
Fat: 15
Saturated Fat: 4
Carbohydrates: 35
Fiber: 1
Protein: 12

Keywords: macaroni salad, ham salad, labor day recipes, summer side dish, picnic food, make ahead salad, budget friendly recipes, creamy pasta salad