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Classic Ham & Mac Salad: A Creamy, Flavor-Packed Side Dish Everyone Loves

Classic Ham & Mac Salad is a timeless comfort food that combines tender pasta, savory ham, crisp vegetables, and a rich, creamy dressing into one satisfying dish. Whether served at family gatherings, summer picnics, holiday buffets, or weekday lunches, this versatile salad delivers a perfect balance of texture and flavor. It is easy to prepare, can be made ahead of time, and tastes even better after chilling, allowing the ingredients to fully absorb the dressing.

The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity. Everyday ingredients come together to create a refreshing salad that is hearty enough to serve as a light meal while also making an excellent side dish for grilled meats, sandwiches, or barbecue favorites.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Classic Ham & Mac Salad offers everything people enjoy in a traditional pasta salad:

Creamy and rich without being overly heavy.
Loaded with savory diced ham.
Crisp vegetables provide freshness and crunch.
Easy to customize with your favorite ingredients.
Perfect for meal prep because it stores well.
Ideal for parties, potlucks, and family dinners.

Ingredients

For the Salad

2 cups elbow macaroni
2 cups cooked ham, diced into small cubes
1 cup celery, finely chopped
½ cup red bell pepper, diced
¼ cup red onion, finely chopped
½ cup frozen peas, thawed
2 hard-boiled eggs, chopped (optional)
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

For the Dressing

1 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons sour cream
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon granulated sugar
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder
Salt, to taste
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Step-by-Step Method

Step 1: Cook the Pasta

Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook according to the package directions until al dente. The pasta should remain slightly firm so it holds its shape once mixed with the dressing.

Drain the macaroni thoroughly and rinse it under cold running water. This immediately stops the cooking process and cools the pasta for the salad. Shake away excess water and allow the macaroni to drain completely.

Step 2: Prepare the Ingredients

While the pasta cools, dice the cooked ham into bite-sized cubes. Chop the celery, bell pepper, onion, parsley, and hard-boiled eggs if using. Thaw the frozen peas by rinsing them briefly under cool water before draining well.

Keeping all the ingredients a similar size helps every bite contain a balanced combination of flavors.