That looks like a classic creamy macaroni salad with ham and vegetables 🥗 Here’s a full, detailed recipe so you can make it at home:
Creamy Macaroni Salad with Ham
🛒 Ingredients
For the Salad:
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3 cups elbow macaroni (uncooked)
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2 cups cooked ham, diced
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1 cup cheddar cheese, cubed (optional but delicious)
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1 cup celery, chopped
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1 cup red bell pepper, diced
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½ cup green bell pepper, diced
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½ cup red onion, finely chopped (optional)
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½ cup sweet pickles or relish (optional)
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Salt and black pepper to taste
For the Dressing:
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1 ½ cups mayonnaise
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2 tablespoons yellow mustard
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1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (or white vinegar)
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1 tablespoon sugar
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½ teaspoon garlic powder
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½ teaspoon onion powder
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2–3 tablespoons milk (to thin, if needed)
👩🍳 Instructions
1️⃣ Cook the Pasta
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Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
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Cook macaroni according to package directions until al dente.
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Drain and rinse under cold water to cool completely.
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Let it drain well (important so salad isn’t watery).
2️⃣ Prep the Mix-ins
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Dice the ham, cheese, and vegetables into small bite-sized pieces.
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Keep everything roughly the same size for the best texture.
3️⃣ Make the Dressing
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In a large bowl, whisk together:
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Mayonnaise
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Mustard
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Vinegar
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Sugar
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Garlic powder
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Onion powder
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Add milk a little at a time until creamy but not runny.
4️⃣ Combine
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Add cooled pasta to the bowl.
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Fold in ham, cheese, vegetables, and pickles.
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Mix gently until evenly coated.
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Season with salt and pepper to taste.
5️⃣ Chill
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Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (overnight is even better).
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Stir before serving. Add a splash of milk if it thickens too much.
💡 Tips for Best Flavor
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Make it a day ahead — flavor improves overnight.
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Add 2 chopped hard-boiled eggs for extra richness.
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For a tangier version, increase vinegar slightly.
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For sweeter flavor, add a little extra relish or sugar.
If you’d like, I can also give you:
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A lighter/healthy version
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A Southern-style version
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A Hawaiian-style version
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Or a version without mayo 😊