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5.0 from 9 votes

Vangie’s Famous Macaroni Salad

The special mystery ingredient in this pasta salad is SPAM, yes, SPAM. It’s cubed and mixed together with cubes of cheese, crisp celery, pickles, and scallions, making this macaroni salad unique and memorable. It’s perfect for a summer potluck side dish or festive weekend barbecue.

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Chilling
2 hrs
Total Time
2 hrs 18 mins
Servings: 12 servings
Calories: 374 kcal
Course: Side Dish , Appetizer
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 16 ounces dry elbow macaroni
  • salt
  • 1 ½ cups light mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup mustard
  • 3 celery stalks thinly sliced
  • 3 scallions sliced (white and dark green parts)
  • 1/2 cup black olives chopped
  • ½ cup chopped dill or sour pickles
  • 6 ounces SPAM or ham, cut into 1/4-inch dice
  • 4 ounces Muenster cheese cubed
  • 8 ounces colby cheese cubed

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Cook the macaroni in lightly salted water according to package directions. Drain but do not rinse. Transfer to a large bowl. Cover with plastic wrap; refrigerate until cool.
  2. Add mayonnaise and mustard and lightly combine.
  3. Stir in celery, scallions, black olives, pickles, spam, and cheese.
  4. Chill for at least 2 hours before serving.

Notes

  • Optional Variations:
  • Optional
  • Variations
  • - Simply swap in your favorite GF macaroni or other short noodle shape to make this dish celiac-friendly.
  • - If you have vegetarians in the mix, omit the SPAM or use your favorite plant-based meat alternative.
  • Expert Tips:
  • Expert Tips:
  • Don’t over- or under-cook the pasta. You want it to be al dente, so cooked, but with a bit of a bite.
  • Make sure to salt your pasta water. You only get one shot to season the actual noodles, so don’t miss it!
  • Don’t rinse the pasta after draining. The leftover starch is what helps the dressing adhere to the noodles.
  • If you’re serving this pasta salad at a party, consider using nesting bowls. Place the macaroni salad with cheese cubes in the smaller bowl, then fill the larger bowl about halfway with ice and enough water to barely cover the ice. Place the smaller bowl in the larger bowl, and you have a perfect serving setup to keep your macaroni salad nice and safe!
  •  
  •  This creamy Macaroni salad will stay good refrigerated for 3 to 5 days. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap, or store in an airtight container to maximize freshness.
  • Gluten-Free - Simply swap in your favorite GF macaroni or other short noodle shape to make this dish celiac-friendly.
  • Vegetarian - If you have vegetarians in the mix, omit the SPAM or use your favorite plant-based meat alternative.
  • Don’t over- or under-cook the pasta. You want it to be al dente, so cooked, but with a bit of a bite.
  • Make sure to salt your pasta water. You only get one shot to season the actual noodles, so don’t miss it!
  • Don’t rinse the pasta after draining. The leftover starch is what helps the dressing adhere to the noodles.
  • If you’re serving this pasta salad at a party, consider using nesting bowls. Place the macaroni salad with cheese cubes in the smaller bowl, then fill the larger bowl about halfway with ice and enough water to barely cover the ice. Place the smaller bowl in the larger bowl, and you have a perfect serving setup to keep your macaroni salad nice and safe!

Nutrition Information

Calories 374kcal (19%) Carbohydrates 33g (11%) Protein 14g (28%) Fat 21g (32%) Saturated Fat 8g (40%) Cholesterol 42mg (14%) Sodium 784mg (33%) Potassium 209mg (6%) Fiber 2g (8%) Sugar 2g (4%) Vitamin A 371IU (7%) Vitamin C 1mg (1%) Calcium 217mg (22%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 12servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 374

% Daily Value*

Calories 374kcal 19%
Carbohydrates 33g 11%
Protein 14g 28%
Fat 21g 32%
Saturated Fat 8g 40%
Cholesterol 42mg 14%
Sodium 784mg 33%
Potassium 209mg 4%
Fiber 2g 8%
Sugar 2g 4%
Vitamin A 371IU 7%
Vitamin C 1mg 1%
Calcium 217mg 22%
Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.