Ensalada de Coditos con Jamón

This Ensalada de Coditos con Jamón (Macaroni Pasta with Ham) is deliciously creamy and perfect as a side for dinner, entertaining and of course a weekend BBQ!

Although here in the states, cold pasta salads are normally enjoyed in the summer months, that is not the case for Latin and Hispanic cultures.

In our Puerto Rican culture, for example, “summer salads” are commonly served throughout the year.

Another delicious example of this is Ensalada de Papa (Potato Salad).

The same applies with soups and stews.

While most people enjoy eating soups and stews solely throughout the winter months, we enjoy having our Sopa de Pollo (Puerto Rican Chicken Soup) any time of the year!

These “cold and hot” dishes are served much more consistently throughout the whole year in the Caribbean, Central America and South America.

Furthermore, even during festive holidays.

In Puerto Rico, it’s traditional to serve these cold dishes alongside all the other time-honored, classic dishes, like Pernil Asado (Roast Pork Shoulder).

What is Ensalada de Coditos con Jamón?

Ensalada de Coditos con Jamon translates to Macaroni or Elbow Salad with Ham.

Just like my other Ensalada de Coditos recipe, it can be made in under thirty five minutes.

Both are delicious in their own way, it’s truly hard to say, which is my favorite.

Ingredients You Will Need

• elbow, shell, bowtie, rotini or mini penne pasta
• green bell pepper
• red bell pepper
• red onion
• ham steak

For the Salad Dressing

• mayonnaise
• sour cream
• garlic paste
• lemon juice
• fresh cilantro
• salt and pepper

How to Make Ensalada de Coditos con Jamón

Pasta-Cook the pasta per box instructions. Rinse and drain under cold water and set aside. This helps to stop the cooking process, gets the salad cold fast and prevents it from clumping together.

Salad Dressing-Add the chopped cilantro, mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice and garlic to a glass bowl. Gently whisk or stir together.

Season-Season the salad dressing with a little bit of salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.

Vegetables-Chop the green, red peppers, onion and cube the ham steak.

Pasta-Add the pasta, veggies and ham to a bowl.

Salad Dressing-Top the salad dressing with all other ingredients.

Combine Ingredients-Using a spoon or spatula, mix all the ingredients well until everything is coated and creamy.

Taste-Taste for additional salt and pepper.

Serving the Salad-The salad is done and can be served right away or refrigerated for an hour or two to allow the salad to get cold and flavors to combine well.

Variations + Additions

You can personalize this salad to suit your own taste.

Some additional variations are:

• peas
• thinly sliced fresh broccoli
• chopped scallions
• shredded carrots
• chopped celery
• chopped boiled eggs
• crumbled crisp bacon
• cheese cubes like cheddar
• use different shapes of pasta

Here is another delicious cold pasta salad using “Bowtie Pasta” by Jill from Kitchen Fun with My 3 Sons.

Can I Use Just Mayonnaise in the Salad Dressing?

Of course! You can just use mayonnaise and exclude the sour cream if you do not like sour cream. Just make sure to replace the amount you would use in its place with the mayonnaise.

Can I Exclude the Garlic and Cilantro from the Salad Dressing?

Yes. If you do not like cilantro or garlic, you certainly can exclude both. However, if you like both, you must give this salad dressing a try! I promise you won’t regret it!

Do watch the amount of lemon juice you add if you exclude the sour cream, cilantro and garlic as these are meant to complement each other in this dressing.

Can You Make Ensalada de Coditos Ahead of Time?

This salad makes for an excellent prep ahead dish.

Especially perfect if you’re entertaining and have several dishes to make. Instead of having to make every dish the day of, consider making this dish a day or two before.

When ready to serve, simply stir all the ingredients again and serve.

TIP: If you feel the salad can benefit from a little more salad dressing after it has sat in the refrigerator for a day or two, then do so.

Adding additional dressing will not overpower pasta salad and alter its taste but instead will freshen it up.

Storing the Ensalada

To store, simply cover with plastic wrap or aluminum cover and keep cold in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Freshen up with additional salad dressing.

Note: This salad is excellent not only as a side dish for dinner but also for BBQ’s and picnics. However, keep in mind that if you plan on serving it in warmer weather, it is important for it not to be sitting out for more than 2 hours.

Tips:

• Serve a little bit at a time in a bowl and save the rest in a cooler sitting on top of ice.
• Serve the salad in a bowl on top of a larger bowl that has ice inside of it to help keep salad cold.

How to Treat Leftovers

If you have any leftovers, store in a container covered and refrigerate for up to 4 days.

To serve, add additional salad dressing, stir pasta to combine again and serve.