Ensalada de Coditos (Mexican Macaroni Salad)

This Ensalada de Coditos is a delicious twist on a classic favorite. Made with a mix of smoky ham, roasted red bell peppers, crunchy celery, and a tangy mayo-mustard dressing, this Mexican macaroni salad is loaded with flavor. Plus, easily make it gluten-free for everyone to enjoy.

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Ensalada de Coditos in a brown bowl with a red bell pepper and stalk of celery beside it.

Just like Ensalada de Pollo or Salpicón, Mexican macaroni salad often graces the tables of many birthday parties and other gatherings.

Although this popular side dish is loved by many, I was never really a fan, that is until recently.

Not too long ago I was on the phone with my tia Olga, my mom's older sister, and she enlightened me with my grandmother's version of this side dish. She explained that my abuelita Maria's recipe differed a bit from the typical macaroni salads by incorportating roasted bell peppers, ham, celery, and other tasty ingredients.

I was so intrigued by this version that I had to give it a try. With my first bite I fell in love with the combination of flavors and textures and I know you will love it too!

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Why You'll Love This Recipe
The Ingredients
How to Make Mexican Macaroni Salad
Tips and Variations
FAQ
Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Easy to Make: This recipe uses minimal ingredients and is ready in about 15 minutes.
Flavorful: The savory, smoky flavor of the ham is complemented beautifully by the sweetness of the roasted bell peppers and the tanginess of the mayo-mustard dressing.
Varied Textures: The contrast in textures, from the softness of the pasta and ham, to the crunch of the celery, and the creaminess of the dressing, make this salad even more enjoyable.
Great for Parties: It is very common to find Mexican pasta salad served at parties and gatherings such as picnics and barbecues. You can easily double or triple the recipe and it is a great complement to so many dishes.
Gluten-Free: Easily make this gluten-free by using gluten-free pasta

The Ingredients

Bowls with sour cream, diced ham, chopped celery, macaroni noodles, roasted bell pepper, mayo, and mustard.

Macaroni Noodles: Macaroni noodles are the base of the salad, providing a soft and chewy texture. For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free macaroni made from alternative flours like rice, corn, or quinoa.
Ham: Use deli ham such as black-forest or smoked ham. Look for gluten-free ham options that are free from any additives or fillers that may contain gluten.
Roasted Red Pepper: Roasted red bell peppers add a sweet and slightly charred flavor that takes this salad to a whole new level of deliciousness. You can roast them yourself or use pre-roasted red bell peppers.
Celery: The freshness and crunch of the celery adds a great contrast in texture.
Mayo, Sour Cream, Mustard: Combine these ingredients to create a creamy and tangy dressing that brings all the other flavors together.
Salt and Pepper

See recipe card for quantities.

Substitutions

Replace the ham with shredded chicken.

Used turkey ham or even leftover cooked ham instead of regular deli ham.

Substitute spicy brown mustard for the regular mustard in the dressing to add more of a zing.

Greek yogurt can be a suitable replacement for either the sour cream or the mayo in case you prefer to not use one of those.

How to Make Mexican Macaroni Salad

Bowl with ingredients for coditos salad.

1. Prep Noodles

Boil the noodles following the package directions until al dente. For gluten-free noodles, I've noticed it is better to start checking the noodles one to two minutes before the package says because they can get soft and soggy pretty quickly.
Drain and rinse with cold water.
Set aside to cool.

2. Add Ingredients

Once cool, place the noodles in a mixing bowl.
Add the ham, roasted peppers, and celery.

3. Make Dressing

Combine sour cream, mayo and mustard.
Mix until well combined.

4. Add Dressing

Pour dressing over the ingredients.
Mix thoroughly.
Season with salt and pepper.

How to Serve

Serve the salad right away or chill for at least 30 minutes to allow all of the flavors to meld together.

Serve it cold as a side dish or as a light lunch with a side of saltine crackers.

What to Serve with this Coditos Salad

Serve this Mexican-style macaroni salad as a side dish for picnics, potlucks, barbecues, and parties. Serve alongside:

Grilled meats such as Chuck Roast Carne Asada
Pan Seared Cilantro Lime Chicken
Hamburgers
Hot dogs
Fried chicken

How to Store

Simply cover tightly with plastic wrap or, better yet, place in an air-tight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.

Tips and Variations

Pickled Jalapeños: Add chopped pickled jalapeños and a few tablespoons of the juice for a zesty, spicy variation.
Mixed Vegetables: Other versions use peas and carrots, corn, or mixed frozen vegetables instead of the roasted bell peppers and celery.
Add More Dressing: The pasta may absorb some of the dressing, especially if stored for a couple of days, so you may want to add a bit more dressing if this happens.
Don't overcook the pasta, especially if using gluten-free noodles, as they will fall apart when mixed. Make sure the noodles are perfectly al dente to ensure they keep their shape.

FAQ

Can you freeze macaroni salad?

It is not recommended to freeze macaroni salad due to the nature of its ingredients. Freezing can make the vegetables mushy and cause the dressing to separate and lose its creamy consistency.

Can this be made dairy-free?

Yes, make this pasta salad dairy-free by replacing the sour cream with dairy-free sour cream.

Can this be made vegan?

Yes, make this macaroni salad vegan by leaving out the ham (or use vegan ham) and using a vegan mayo and sour cream.

Can I make ensalada de coditos con jamón in advance?

Yes, make this salad up to 3 days in advance.

I hope you enjoy! If you try this recipe, please leave me a comment with a star rating below. Also, be sure to follow me on Instagram, Facebook or Pinterest to stay in touch, and don't forget to subscribe to my newsletter.

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