Macaroni Salad With Ham
This macaroni salad is hearty enough to serve as a lunch or dinner on a hot summer day or evening. Feel free to use diced chicken instead of ham, or omit the ham and add extra veggies.
This macaroni salad is a satisfying dish that works just as well for lunch as for a light summer supper. It’s cool, creamy, and loaded with texture from crisp celery, sweet peas, and tender pasta.
The ham adds heartiness, but the recipe is flexible—swap in leftover chicken, turkey, or extra vegetables for an easy variation. Served on a bed of crisp lettuce, it’s as pretty as it is delicious.
What You’ll Like About This Dish
Hearty and filling. Ham, peas, and pasta make it a meal-worthy salad.
Customizable. Easy to adapt with chicken or extra veggies.
Great for warm weather. Cool and refreshing straight from the fridge.
Make-ahead friendly. The flavors improve as it chills.
Ingredient Notes
- Macaroni – Small elbow or salad macaroni works best.
- Lettuce – Iceberg or romaine adds crunch and freshness.
- Celery & onion – Provide crisp texture and savory balance.
- Ham – Diced cooked ham adds protein and substance.
- English peas – Steam briefly for the best color and flavor.
- Mayonnaise – Start with ½ cup and add more if you prefer a creamier texture.
- Sweet pickles – Bread-and-butter pickles add sweetness and tang.
- Tomatoes – Add color and juiciness when arranged on top.
Steps to Make Macaroni Salad With Ham
- Cook and drain the macaroni; rinse with cold water.
- Line a serving dish with whole lettuce leaves.
- Shred the remaining lettuce.
- Toss the cooled macaroni with the shredded lettuce, celery, onion, ham, and peas.
- Mix mayonnaise and chopped sweet pickles to make the dressing; stir into the salad.
- Season with salt and pepper and add more mayo if desired.
- Transfer to the lettuce-lined serving bowl and garnish with tomato wedges.
- Chill the salad before serving.
Tips
- Rinse the pasta well to stop cooking and prevent stickiness.
- Add the tomatoes just before serving so they stay firm.
- Use light mayo or part-yogurt for a lighter version.
- Stir in extra lettuce at serving time if you like more crunch.
Recipe Variations
- Swap the ham. Use cooked chicken, turkey, or even rotisserie leftovers.
- Add more veggies. Bell peppers, cucumbers, or shredded carrots work well.
- Make it tangier. Add a splash of pickle juice or vinegar.
- Creamier version. Stir in a spoonful of sour cream with the mayo.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve with sliced tomatoes or cucumbers on the side.
- Pair with grilled chicken or burgers for a summer meal.
- Add hard-boiled eggs for more protein.
- Garnish with fresh herbs like parsley or dill.
How to Store
Refrigerate: Store the macaroni salad in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Refresh before serving: Stir in a spoonful of mayonnaise if the salad seems dry after chilling.
Do not freeze: Freezing breaks down the vegetables and mayonnaise.
Macaroni Salad With Ham
Ingredients
- 1 cup macaroni, 4 ounces, uncooked
- 1/2 head lettuce, iceberg or romaine (plus some whole leaves for the serving bowl)
- 1 cup diced celery
- 1/2 cup diced onion
- 1 cup ham, diced
- 1 cup peas, steamed and cooled
- 1/2 to 1 cup mayonnaise, as desired
- 1/3 cup sweet pickle, chopped , such as bread and butter
- salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 medium fresh tomatoes, cut into wedges
Instructions
- Cook the macaroni following the package directions. Drain in a colander and rinse with cold water; set aside.
- Arrange a few lettuce leaves in the bottom of a serving dish or large plate.
- Shred the remaining lettuce.
- In a bowl, toss the drained macaroni with the shredded lettuce, diced celery and onion, ham, and peas.
- In another bowl, combine 1/2 cup of mayonnaise with the chopped sweet pickles. Add the dressing to the macaroni mixture and toss to blend. Add more mayonnaise, as desired. Taste and add salt and pepper, as needed.
- Spoon the macaroni salad into the lettuce-lined serving dish or plate.
- Shred the inside leaves of the lettuce, In another bowl, toss the shredded lettuce with the celery, macaroni, onion, chopped sweet pickle, peas, tomatoes, and ham. Add salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste.
- Mound the salad in the bowl lined with lettuce leaves. Chill before serving.
Nutrition
Disclaimer:
Our nutritional information is based on a third-party application that analyzes the ingredients list to determine the values. The information is meant to be helpful, but should be considered an estimate. Values may differ depending on measurements, brands, serving variations, and database availability.
