Welcome to the ultimate guide for creating a dish that promises to be the undisputed star of any gathering: our sensational Pimiento Cheese Macaroni Salad with Ham. Forget bland, forget boring – this isn’t just another pasta salad. This is a culinary experience, a symphony of savory flavors that will have everyone asking for your secret recipe. Combining the creamy, tangy goodness of pimiento cheese, the hearty texture of macaroni noodles, and the delightful bites of diced ham, this salad offers a unique twist on a classic comfort food. It’s incredibly easy to prepare, making it the perfect choice for busy hosts who want to impress without the stress. Prepare to dazzle your taste buds and earn rave reviews!
THE IRRESISTIBLE CHARM OF PIMIENTO CHEESE MACARONI SALAD
There’s a reason why pimiento cheese is affectionately known as “the caviar of the South,” and when you incorporate it into a macaroni salad, it elevates the dish to legendary status. This recipe might sound unconventional at first glance, but trust us, the rich, flavorful pimiento cheese spread transforms ordinary macaroni into an extraordinary side dish. It injects a depth of flavor that prevents the salad from ever being described as bland, ensuring every forkful is packed with a delightful creamy tang and a subtle spice. It’s a delightful departure from traditional mayonnaise-based pasta salads, offering a complexity that is both comforting and exciting.
Whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue, planning a casual potluck, or simply looking for a standout side for your weeknight dinner, this Pimiento Cheese Macaroni Salad delivers. Its vibrant flavors and satisfying texture make it a crowd-pleaser for all ages. Even those who claim not to be fans of pimiento cheese often find themselves converted after just one taste of this incredible salad. It’s a testament to how perfectly the ingredients harmonize, creating a truly unforgettable dish.
EXPERT TIPS FOR CRAFTING THE PERFECT MACARONI SALAD
- **Leverage Pimiento Cheese for Flavor:** One of the greatest advantages of using store-bought pimiento cheese spread in your pasta salad is its built-in seasoning. This means a significant portion of your flavor profile is already established, saving you time and effort. You’ll simply need to enhance it with a bit more mayonnaise for creaminess and a few other fresh ingredients to create a well-rounded dish. It’s a fantastic shortcut to gourmet taste!
- **Customize with Your Favorite Add-ins:** This recipe serves as a wonderful base for customization. Feel free to incorporate your preferred vegetables for added crunch and freshness. Diced cucumbers, finely chopped green bell peppers, or fresh cherry tomatoes (halved) are all excellent additions that complement the rich pimiento cheese flavor beautifully. For a touch of acidity and tang, consider adding a tablespoon or two of pickle relish.
- **Experiment with Proteins:** While diced ham provides a classic and savory element, don’t hesitate to substitute it with other proteins. Crispy, crumbled bacon is a superb alternative, adding a smoky depth that pairs wonderfully with pimiento cheese. Cooked and shredded chicken or even a can of drained tuna can also be folded in for a heartier meal.
- **The Importance of Chilling:** For optimal flavor and texture, it’s crucial to chill your Pimiento Cheese Macaroni Salad for at least an hour before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together and the macaroni to fully absorb the creamy dressing, resulting in a more cohesive and delicious salad. Ideally, chilling for several hours or even overnight will yield the best results.
- **Achieving Al Dente Pasta:** The foundation of any great pasta salad is perfectly cooked pasta. Ensure you cook your macaroni noodles to al dente, meaning they are firm to the bite. Overcooked pasta will become mushy in the salad, detracting from its overall appeal. Rinsing the cooked pasta under cold water immediately after draining stops the cooking process and prevents the noodles from sticking together.
INGREDIENTS YOU’LL NEED FOR THIS SOUTHERN DELIGHT
Gathering your ingredients is the first step to creating this unforgettable Pimiento Cheese Macaroni Salad. This recipe calls for simple, accessible items that come together to form a complex and satisfying flavor profile. The full, detailed recipe with exact measurements can be found below, but here’s a quick overview of what you’ll need to have on hand:
- **Macaroni Noodles:** The classic choice for macaroni salad, offering the perfect shape to hold the creamy dressing.
- **Pimiento Cheese Spread:** The star ingredient! A good quality store-bought pimiento cheese will provide immense flavor and a wonderful creamy base.
- **Mayonnaise:** To add extra creaminess and bind all the ingredients together, ensuring a rich and luscious texture.
- **Diced Ham:** Adds a savory, hearty element and a delightful textural contrast.
- **Diced Green Onion:** For a fresh, mild onion flavor and a pop of color.
- **Salt & Pepper:** Essential for seasoning to taste and balancing all the flavors.
HOW TO MAKE PIMIENTO CHEESE MACARONI SALAD: A STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE
Creating this Pimiento Cheese Macaroni Salad is a breeze, even for novice cooks. The beauty of this dish lies in its simplicity and the speed with which it comes together. Follow these straightforward steps to prepare a side dish that will become an instant favorite:
First, begin by cooking your macaroni noodles. Follow the package directions precisely, paying close attention to cooking times. The goal is to achieve an “al dente” texture, where the pasta is firm but still has a slight bite. This is crucial for a great pasta salad, as mushy pasta can ruin the dish. Cook the pasta in a generously sized pot of salted boiling water to ensure even cooking.
Once your macaroni is cooked to perfection, immediately drain it using a colander. For pasta salads, it’s essential to rinse the cooked macaroni under cool, running water. This step accomplishes two important things: it stops the cooking process, preventing the pasta from becoming overcooked and mushy, and it washes away excess starch, which helps to keep the noodles from sticking together. Rinse thoroughly until the pasta is completely cool.
After rinsing, ensure the macaroni is very well-drained. Any excess water will dilute your dressing and make the salad watery. Once drained, transfer the cool macaroni into a large mixing bowl. This bowl should be spacious enough to allow for easy stirring and combining of all your ingredients without making a mess.
Now for the creamy goodness! Add the pimiento cheese spread and mayonnaise to the bowl with the macaroni. Using a large spoon or spatula, stir these ingredients together until the macaroni is evenly coated. Take your time to ensure the rich, cheesy dressing is thoroughly distributed, creating a luscious base for your salad. This step truly defines the unique character of this macaroni salad.
Next, it’s time to add the savory elements. Gently stir in the diced ham. Make sure it’s evenly distributed throughout the salad so that every bite contains a perfect balance of flavors and textures. The ham adds a wonderful salty counterpoint to the creamy dressing and provides a satisfying chew.
Follow the ham with the diced green onion. The green onion introduces a mild, fresh onion flavor and a delightful hint of crispness, along with a beautiful burst of color. Once everything is combined, take a moment to taste the salad. This is your chance to adjust the seasonings. Add salt and pepper as needed to enhance the overall flavor profile. Remember, a perfectly seasoned dish makes all the difference.
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, cover the bowl and chill the Pimiento Cheese Macaroni Salad in the refrigerator for at least one hour before serving. This chilling time allows all the flavors to marry and deepen, resulting in a much more harmonious and delicious salad. For the best possible taste, chilling it for 2-4 hours or even overnight is highly recommended. Serve cold and enjoy the rave reviews!
SERVING SUGGESTIONS & STORAGE TIPS
This Pimiento Cheese Macaroni Salad is incredibly versatile and makes a fantastic accompaniment to a wide variety of meals. It’s the quintessential side dish for any casual gathering, especially during warmer months. Pair it with grilled chicken, pulled pork, juicy burgers, or hot dogs for a classic summer cookout spread. It also complements fried chicken beautifully and can even be served alongside sandwiches for a satisfying lunch. Garnish with extra sliced green onions or a sprinkle of paprika for an appealing presentation.
For storage, keep any leftover Pimiento Cheese Macaroni Salad tightly covered in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to 3-4 days. While it tastes fantastic on day one, many find that the flavors deepen and improve even further on day two. Due to the mayonnaise, this salad should not be left at room temperature for more than two hours to ensure food safety. We do not recommend freezing this salad, as the pasta and mayonnaise-based dressing will not hold up well to thawing.
CRAVING MORE RECIPES? EXPLORE THESE DELICIOUS OPTIONS!
- Pimento Cheese Dip
- Pimento Cheese Recipe
- Spaghetti Salad
- Tuna Pasta Salad
- Macaroni Salad
- Hawaiian Mac Salad
- Chicken Macaroni Salad
- Caprese Pasta Salad
Pimiento Cheese Macaroni Salad
This Pimiento Cheese Macaroni Salad will be the star of your next gathering! It has diced ham, store-bought pimiento cheese, and macaroni noodles.
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Pin Recipe
Ingredients
- 16 ounce box macaroni noodles
- 12 ounce container pimiento cheese spread
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 1 ½ cups diced ham
- ½ cup diced green onion
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare macaroni according to package directions until al dente.
- Once macaroni is cooked, drain thoroughly and rinse under cool water in a colander until completely cooled. Drain very well and transfer to a large mixing bowl.
- Stir in the pimiento cheese spread and mayonnaise until the macaroni is evenly coated and well combined.
- Next, gently stir in the diced ham and diced green onion.
- Taste the salad and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper as needed to your preference.
- Cover the bowl and chill in the refrigerator for at least one hour before serving. For best flavor, chill for 2-4 hours or overnight.
Video
Nutrition
Carbohydrates: 48g |
Protein: 7g |
Fat: 21g |
Sodium: 534mg |
Fiber: 1g |
Sugar: 5g
Nutritional Disclaimer
“The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
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Originally published: March 2016
Updated & republished: July 2020