Classic Macaroni Salad With Ham

Are you searching for a simple and hassle-free recipe perfect for a potluck? Look no further than this delightful macaroni salad with ham. This recipe stands out for its ease, requiring just two straightforward steps.

While there is some minimal prep work involved, it’s nothing more demanding than chopping a bit of ham and a handful of vegetables. This recipe shares similarities with a layered salad, allowing you to complete much of the preparation in advance. Store the ingredients in air-tight containers in the refrigerator. When it’s time to assemble the salad, boil some pasta, mix in the ham, vegetables, mayonnaise, and seasoning. Then, cover and chill for at least two hours.

Originally shared by Keva Colston of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in the June 2007 issue of Southern Living, this salad quickly earned praise and positive comments from readers.

It appears that many Southern cooks have their preferred cold pasta or layered salad for a warm afternoon. These salads not only offer a refreshing and satisfying main dish but also allow for versatility in ingredient swaps based on what’s in your fridge or garden.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
• 1 cup chopped cooked ham
• 1 cucumber, peeled, seeded, and diced
• 1 tomato, seeded and diced
• 1 small red bell pepper, diced
• 1 small yellow bell pepper, diced
• 1 small green bell pepper, diced
• 1 1/4 cups mayonnaise
• 1 1/2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
• 2 teaspoons lemon juice
• Salt to taste

Directions:

1. Cook pasta:
   Prepare macaroni according to package directions. Drain and rinse with cold water until cool.
2. Combine remaining ingredients:
   Blend macaroni with the remaining nine ingredients. Add salt. Cover and chill for at least 2 hours.