This Mexican Macaroni Salad is the perfect side for your summer BBQ. No matter what you’re grilling, this salad goes with everything. It is full of flavor, loaded with vegetables, and very easy to make!

This Mexican Macaroni salad will forever bring back memories of any big Mexican party like a boda, (wedding), or quinceanera. No matter what the big gathering was you were bound to find a big roasting pan full of this macaroni salad. I would always need to have a separate plate just for this, some spaghetti verde, and Mexican Chicken Salad. If you know, you know. If you don’t, let’s change that!
If you need a macaroni salad that is not the typical recipe you’re used to, look no more! This Mexican Macaroni Salad is full of vegetables and gets lots of flavor from pickled jalapeños. The addition of ham to this macaroni salad is exactly what it needs to make it perfect. The longer it sits in the fridge, the more delicious it becomes. Trust me when I tell you that you absolutely want to add the pickled jalapeno in this, it makes a big difference!
I love creating these recipes I grew up eating because not only do they bring back memories for me but they also bring back memories for you! It brings me so much joy when someone tells me they grew up eating the same dish and the recipe brought back memories. It especially makes me happy to hear comments like, “This is just like the one my mom, aunt, grandma, etc, used to make!”. Isn’t it just funny how many memories food can trigger? I hope you make this for whatever upcoming event or BBQ you have and make your own memories. Just know that people will want this recipe from you when they try it. Trust me, it’s a winner for sure!
Mexican Macaroni Salad
Ingredients
- 1 cup elbow macaroni
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 1 cup mixed vegetables thawed if frozen, drained if canned
- ½ cup deli ham chopped; about 3 slices
- 1 pickled jalapeno minced
- 1 tsp pickled jalapeno juice optional
Instructions
- Cook macaroni according to package until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water until pasta is no longer hot.
- In a large bowl combine macaroni and the rest of the ingredients.
- Refrigerate for at least an hour before serving.
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