Ham & Cheese Macaroni Salad

April 13, 2020
Looking for a super simple, super tasty macaroni salad? Give Ham & Cheese Macaroni Salad a try!  Made with just a few basic ingredients, this simple macaroni salad is easy to pull together and loaded with flavor, too.  Not to mention, it's a great dish for enjoying that leftover ham.
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Ham & Cheese Macaroni Salad Image

Truth be told, when I cook a ham I'm not sure if I'm more excited to eat the ham as a main dish on the day it's cooked or to enjoy the leftovers in all kinds of tasty dishes afterwards.  I actually think I may lean toward liking the leftovers most.

There are just so many ways to enjoy leftover ham -- In tasty soups like slow cooker ham & corn chowder or classic ham & kidney bean soup, or creamy casseroles like leftover ham & noodle casserole and my Mom's "famous" ham & cheese lasagna.  Or, how about as the ever-popular, ever-classic ham salad that's one of the tastiest sandwich fillings around?

Made with just a few basic ingredients, this simple macaroni salad is easy to pull together and loaded with flavor.  

Or, chop that leftover ham up and enjoy it in one of the simplest and tastiest pasta salads around -- This super easy Ham & Cheese Macaroni Salad.

Made with just a few basic ingredients, this simple macaroni salad is easy to pull together and loaded with flavor.  

But hey, you don't need to have ham leftovers to whip up a batch.  It's a perfect macaroni salad for potlucks or all those summer cookouts when you might not have just cooked a ham -- Just buy a ham steak to chop up, or ask the deli to cut you some extra-thick deli ham.  Either way works great, too.

Serving Spoon of Ham & Cheese Macaroni Salad Image

Once the ham is covered, the other base ingredients of this macaroni salad are things many people tend to have on hand:
  • Macaroni noodles (of course)
  • An onion
  • A block of cheddar cheese, and
  • A bag of frozen peas
How to Make Ham & Cheese Macaroni Salad Image

These ingredients are then tossed together in a very basic dressing of mayonnaise and white vinegar, seasoned with a touch of salt, pepper, and sugar.

Pretty simple, right?

Making Ham & Cheese Macaroni Salad Image

Once everything is well combined, you just chill the macaroni salad for at least an hour before serving to allow the flavors to meld.  I actually prefer to chill the salad overnight to allow the flavors to more fully meld together.

While the salad chills, the texture will change a little as well as the macaroni noodles absorb some of the dressing.

If too much dressing is absorbed and the salad seems "dry" at the time of serving, just stir in a couple tablespoons of mayonnaise to moisten it back up to your liking.

Ham & Cheese Macaroni Salad with Peas Image

And that's all there is to whipping up a batch of Ham & Cheese Macaroni Salad.  Made with just a few basic ingredients, it's easy to pull together and loaded with flavor, too.

A perfect hearty side dish for enjoying that leftover ham, or a perfect simple macaroni salad for potlucks and all those summer cookouts.

Check out these other super tasty pasta salad recipes:
Bowl of Ham & Cheese Macaroni Salad Image
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macaroni salad, macaroni salad recipe, ham cheese macaroni salad recipe, recipes with leftover ham, ham leftovers
Salads
American
Yield: about 10-12 servings

Ham & Cheese Macaroni Salad

Ham & Cheese Macaroni Salad

Looking for a super simple, super tasty macaroni salad? Give Ham & Cheese Macaroni Salad a try! Made with just a few basic ingredients, this simple macaroni salad is easy to pull together and loaded with flavor, too. Not to mention, it's a great dish for enjoying that leftover ham.
Prep time: 20 MCook time: 20 MTotal time: 40 M

Ingredients:

  • 2 c. uncooked elbow macaroni
  • 2. T. white vinegar
  • 2 c. chopped cooked ham
  • 1 (12 oz.) package frozen peas, thawed
  • 1 (8 oz.) block mild or medium cheddar cheese, cut in small cubes
  • 1/2 c. very finely chopped onion
Dressing:
  • 1 c. mayonnaise
  • 1 T. white vinegar
  • 1 tsp. granulated sugar
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 1/4 tsp. pepper

Instructions:

How to make Ham & Cheese Macaroni Salad

  1. Cook macaroni in boiling salted water according to package directions. Drain well.
  2. Place warm macaroni in a large bowl; toss with 2 tablespoons vinegar.  
  3. Stir in cubed cheese, ham, peas, and onion.  Set aside to let noodles absorb the vinegar.
  4. Prepare dressing in a separate smaller bowl:  Whisk together mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper. 
  5. Pour over the macaroni mixture and stir until well combined.
  6. Cover and chill for at least an hour before serving. Or, chill overnight to allow the flavors to fully meld.
Created using The Recipes Generator

You might also like these other tasty salads:








Ham & Cheese Macaroni Salad ~ Made with just a few basic ingredients, this simple macaroni salad is easy to pull together & loaded with flavor. Perfect for potlucks & summer cookouts. Not to mention, a great dish for enjoying that leftover ham, too!  www.thekitchenismyplayground.com


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This post is linked with Weekend PotluckMeal Plan Monday.

12 comments

  1. OH I just know my husband would LOVE this recipe! I often make a ham and pea mac and cheese with our leftovers and while this sounds like many of the same flavors it would be so much easier and a nice change of pace to try. Pinned.

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  2. I will have to try the ham and cheese macaronni salad. It sounds really tasty. I have been looking for new recipes. So this recipe is right on time. Thanks

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  3. I just love this macaroni salad an all time classic! Hope you are having a great week and thanks so much for sharing with us at Full Plate Thursday and sure hope you will come back soon!
    Miz Helen

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  4. I love the texture of the peas in this. It's a bright salad! Thanks for sharing at the What's for Dinner party. I hope to see you again at tomorrow's party.

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  5. Thank you SO much for sharing this recipe at Inspire Me Monday at Create With Joy – I am planning to add this to my spring and summer rotation!

    I’m so happy to announce that you are one of our Featured Guests this week! :-)

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  6. So so good. I added a diced Roma tomato and about 1/4 c diced dill pickle. Trying to make meats s t r e t c h during COVID-19. This is a delicious and filling pasta salad. I love the sweet peas and onions, too. Five stars!

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  7. Great, great, great! Delicious, beautiful, and not too difficult to make, especially this dish surprised my husband with his cooking skills! Thank you!

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  8. My mom used to make this salad and she's been gone for 35 years so stumbling across this recipe while trying to figure out what to do with leftover ham was such a blessing. Thanks for sharing 💚

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, the best recipes are passed down in a family. The best recipes remind me of dinners with my parents.

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  9. This is great post about food recipe, I will definitely try it.

    ReplyDelete

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