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Mexican Macaroni Salad

Creamy, zesty, and packed with bold flavor, this Mexican macaroni salad is an easy side you’ll keep coming back to.
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Course: Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: macaroni salad recipe
Servings: 12 servings
Author: Alyssa Rivers

Equipment

  • Large pot for boiling pasta
  • Colander for draining pasta
  • Large serving bowl
  • Vegetable chopper

Ingredients

  • 1 pound elbow macaroni
  • 1 cup diced ham
  • 1 cup corn fresh, canned, or frozen and thawed
  • 1 cup shredded carrots
  • 1 cup finely diced bell pepper
  • 1 cup cubed Monterey Jack cheese
  • ½ cup finely diced celery
  • ½ cup finely diced red onion
  • ¼ cup chopped pickled jalapeno

Dressing

  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • 2 tablespoons juice from pickled jalapeños
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
  • 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook 1 pound elbow macaroni until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water. Add the cooled, drained pasta to a large bowl.
  • To the bowl of pasta, add 1 cup diced ham 1 cup corn, 1 cup shredded carrots, 1 cup finely diced bell pepper, 1 cup cubed Monterey Jack cheese, ½ cup finely diced celery, ½ cup finely diced red onion, and ¼ cup chopped pickled jalapeno.
  • Make the dressing by mixing 1 cup mayonnaise, ½ cup sour cream, 2 tablespoons juice from pickled jalapeños, 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice, 1 tablespoon yellow mustard, and salt and pepper to taste.
  • Add the dressing to the pasta bowl and mix until evenly combined. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Refrigerate until ready to serve or serve immediately.

Notes

Storage and Make Ahead Instructions
  • Refrigerate: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
  • Do not freeze: Macaroni salad doesn’t freeze well and can become watery.
  • Make ahead: Prepare up to 24 hours in advance, the flavors get even better as it chills!

Nutrition

Calories: 356kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 9g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Cholesterol: 27mg | Sodium: 571mg | Potassium: 225mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 2417IU | Vitamin C: 19mg | Calcium: 99mg | Iron: 1mg

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