Mexican Ham Pasta Salad

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Mexican pasta salad is made with pasta, bell pepper, corn, ham, cheese, pickled jalapenos, cilantro, and a cream sauce. Serve it at your next get-together or as a side dish for any meal.

A large scoop of Mexican ham pasta salad in a white bowl.

This is a simple recipe for any time of year, a delicious way to use up that leftover Easter ham or take it to a summer potluck.

Why this recipe works

This salad is delicious for a simple side dish or even a light main dish. It's a summer salad with lots of Mexican flavor that taste better the next day. Like my Deviled Egg Macaroni Salad, or my Greek Tortellini Pasta are pasta salad recipes that are perfect for potlucks and outdoor gatherings.

Ingredients for this recipe

All the ingredients needed for this recipe.

Ingredient Notes

Pasta-I use elbow macaroni noodles but you can use any type you prefer.
Mexican Crema- Its a Mexican sour cream but you can use regular sour cream if you prefer.
Mayonnaise-I prefer Best Food's or Hellmann's.
Bell pepper- You can use a green instead of a red bell pepper.
Corn- Frozen or canned both work great.
Ham- No leftover ham? Grab a ham steak or some deli ham.
Jalapenos- Pickled jalapeños not only add heat but fantastic flavor.
Cilantro- if you hate fresh cilantro you can add in some flat leaf parsley.

How to make this recipe

All the ingredients in piles placed in a large white bowl.

Step I- Cook the pasta according to the package directions. I like al dente pasta.
Step 2-In a small bowl mix together the mayo and Crema until combined.

Mexican ham pasta salad all mixed together in a large white bowl.

Step 3-In a large bowl add all the other ingredients, creamy dressing and toss with the cooked macaroni until combined.
Step 4- Chill for at least couple of hours.

A spoon picking up a large scoop of Mexican ham pasta salad.

Recipe tips

You can use green bell pepper instead of red bell pepper.
I used cheddar cheese but Monterey Jack or mozzarella also works great.
Best Foods or Hellman's are always my choice for mayonnaise.
If your cold pasta salad is a little dry the next day mix in a couple tablespoon of mayonnaise to freshen it up.

A fork picking up a bite of ham pasta salad.

Recipe FAQ's

What is Mexican cream or crema?

Mexican Crema is creamy slightly tangy very similar to sour cream. Although it's thicker than sour cream but not as thick as Crème Fraiche.

How to keep your salad from drying out the next day

The creamy mayo mixture absorbs into the macaroni. Although it still tastes delicious a great way to freshen it up is by adding in a couple of tablespoons of mayo and Mexican Crema.

What type of ham should I use?

This is a great way to use up any leftover ham you may have from a holiday meal like my Slow Cooker Honey Ham. Or you can always grab a ham steak from your grocery store or even get some deli ham and cut it into pieces.

How to store this salad

Store any easy pasta salad leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

What to serve with this

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Yield: 6

The Mexican pasta salad is made with pasta, bell pepper, corn, ham, cheese, pickled jalapenos, cilantro, and a cream sauce. Serve it at your next get-together or as a side dish for any meal.

Prep Time 15 minutes

Chill Time 2 hours

Total Time 2 hours 15 minutes

Ingredients

2/3 cup Mexican cream (Crema)
2/3 cup mayonnaise
4 cups elbow macaroni
½ red bell pepper, diced
¾ cup corn
3/4 cup shredded carrots
1 1/2 cup ham, cubed
1/2 cup pickled jalapenos, diced
1 cup cheddar cheese, cubed (or mozzarella)
¼ cup cilantro, chopped
½ teaspoon pepper
Salt to taste

Instructions

Cook pasta according to the package directions.
In a small mixing bowl, combine the Mexican cream and mayonnaise and mix until there are no lumps.
In a large serving bowl, combine the remaining ingredients.
Pour the mayonnaise over the pasta and toss to combine.
Chill for at least 2 hours. Store covered in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
Serve as a light meal, or as a side salad to your favorite meal.

Notes

I use elbow macaroni noodles but you can use any type you prefer.

Sour cream can be used instead of Mexican crema.

You can use frozen or canned corn (drained)

I used cheddar cheese but Monterey Jack or mozzarella also works great.

If your cold pasta salad is a little dry the next day mix in a couple of tablespoons of mayonnaise to freshen it up.

Nutrition Information

Yield

Serving Size

1
Amount Per Serving Calories 551Total Fat 38gSaturated Fat 14gTrans Fat 1gUnsaturated Fat 22gCholesterol 84mgSodium 909mgCarbohydrates 33gFiber 3gSugar 4gProtein 19g

Nutrition Disclaimer: All information presented on this site is intended for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and any nutritional information shared on butteryourbiscuit.com should only be used as a general guideline.