Macaroni Salad with Ham and Cheddar
This classic Macaroni Salad with Ham and Cheddar is a potluck favorite! It’s loaded with diced ham, sweet peas, and sharp cheddar for an easy, make-ahead side that’s perfect for picnics, cookouts, or a weeknight dinner.
There’s just something about macaroni salad for a cookout! Along with red potato salad and three bean salad, it’s been a staple at bbqs and potlucks for decades. This recipe for Macaroni Salad with Ham and Cheddar appears in a handful of classic cookbooks that I have, and it’s easy to see why it was such a hit.
The salty ham, sweet peas, and tangy dressing come together with the cheddar for a bite that’s both comforting and full of flavor. It’s just the kind of crowd-pleaser you want at a summer cookout—cool, creamy, and satisfying. I love how simple it is, and how you can make it ahead of time. It pairs perfectly with grilled chicken, St. Louis style ribs, burgers, hot dogs, and more.
If you love macaroni salad, you may like to try Shrimp Macaroni Salad next. It’s perfect for seafood lovers!
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Ingredients
- Macaroni is the classic pasta here, but you can use any short pasta that you have for this recipe.
- I used an 8-ounce ham steak, which I cut into small cubes. This is a great recipe for leftover ham if you have it, though.
- Cheddar is true to the original recipe, and sharp cheddar especially is great here. To change it up, I love the idea of using Pepper Jack for a little spice, or whichever block of cheese that you have on hand really.
How to make Macaroni Salad with Ham and cheddar
- Cook the pasta according to package directions, then mix with the oil, vinegar, onion, and seasoned salt. Let sit until cool.
- Toss the pasta with the ham, peas, cheddar, celery, and mayo. That’s it! Refrigerate the macaroni salad until you’re ready to serve it.
Variations
The beauty of macaroni salad is the ability to change up the mix-ins! Here are some ideas for other ingredients to add/substitute:
- Diced bell pepper
- 2–3 hard boiled eggs, chopped
- ½ cup diced olives
- 3–4 strips of bacon, cooked and crumbled
- Switch up the cheddar for your favorite cheese
- Chopped turkey, chicken, or even cooked shrimp work well in place of the ham
- Don’t have seasoned salt? You can make homemade seasoned salt.
📖 Recipe
Classic Macaroni Salad with Ham and Cheddar
Ingredients
- 2 cups uncooked macaroni
- 2 tablespoons oil (such as vegetable oil or olive oil)
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar (or white vinegar)
- ¼ cup fresh minced onion (or 1 tablespoon dried minced onion)
- ½ teaspoon seasoned salt
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 1 cup diced cheddar cheese
- 1 cup frozen peas, defrosted
- 1 cup diced ham
- 1 cup diced celery
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Instructions
- Cook macaroni according to package directions in salted boiling water. Drain and place in a large bowl.
- While the macaroni is still hot, stir in the oil, vinegar, onion, and seasoned salt. Let cool.
- When the macaroni is cool, stir in the mayonnaise, diced cheddar, peas, ham, and celery.
- Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Notes
- 1 small diced green bell pepper
- 2–3 chopped hard boiled eggs
- 3–4 slices cooked and crumbled bacon
- ½ cup diced olives
- Switch up the cheese to your favorite variety.
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