Danish Macaroni Salad with Ham

Creamy, satisfying, and bursting with vibrant flavors, Danish Macaroni Salad with Ham is the ultimate crowd-pleasing dish for any occasion. This classic recipe combines tender al dente elbow macaroni with savory diced ham, crisp celery, and sweet red bell peppers, all coated in a luscious dressing made from mayonnaise, sour cream, Dijon mustard, and a hint of white wine vinegar for tangy balance. A sprinkle of fresh parsley adds a pop of color and freshness to the mix. Perfectly chilled and packed with texture, this salad is a versatile side dish or light main course, ideal for picnics, barbecues, or potlucks. Quick to prepare and deeply flavorful, it’s a go-to option for effortless entertaining or easy weeknight meals.

Nutriscore Rating: 64/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:25 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 250 grams elbow macaroni
• 200 grams ham (diced)
• 120 grams mayonnaise
• 80 grams sour cream
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 2 teaspoons white wine vinegar
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 celery stalks (diced)
• 1 red bell pepper (diced)
• 0.5 red onion (finely chopped)
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (chopped)

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook according to the package instructions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process, then set aside to cool completely.

Step 2

While the pasta cools, prepare the dressing. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, Dijon mustard, white wine vinegar, sugar, salt, and ground black pepper until smooth and well combined.

Step 3

Add the cooled macaroni to the dressing and gently toss to coat.

Step 4

Add the diced ham, celery, red bell pepper, red onion, and chopped parsley to the macaroni mixture. Stir gently to combine, ensuring even distribution of ingredients.

Step 5

Taste the salad and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper, if needed.

Step 6

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the macaroni salad for at least 1 hour before serving to allow the flavors to meld together.

Step 7

Serve chilled as a side dish or a light main course. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1043.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2432.2

Total Fat 120.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 21.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0g
Cholesterol 257.6mg	0%
Sodium 5604.2mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 245.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 15.6g	0%
Total Sugars 30.9g
Protein 83.7g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 240.1mg	0%
Iron 11.6mg	0%
Potassium 1395.9mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 45.2%

Protein: 13.9%

Carbs: 40.9%