Macaroni Salad with Dill and Ham

From Food Network Kitchens Get Grilling, Meredith, 2005

Rated: 4 stars out of 5Rate itRead users' reviews (19)

RECIPE
COMMENTS & REVIEWS(19)

Cook Time:
8 min
Level:
Easy
Yield:
4 to 6 servings

Times:

Prep: 20 min
Inactive Prep: --
Cook: 8 min
Total:: 28 min

Recipe Tools:

Select a Card Size

Add To My Recipe Box

Success

This recipe was added to your Folder_Name folder.

Do not show this message again

Add To My Recipe Box

Please sign in to add this recipe to your Recipe Box.

Ingredients

1/4 medium red onion, minced
2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus additional for salting water
8 ounces elbow macaroni (about 2 cups)
2 tablespoons milk
2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
Freshly ground black pepper
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/3 cup sour cream
6 ounces cooked ham, cut into 1&3-inch cubes
3/4 cup frozen baby peas, thawed (about 4 ounces)
2 ribs celery, with leaves, diced
2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill

Directions

To mellow the minced onion, soak it in cold water while you make the salad.

Bring a large pot of cold water to a boil over high heat and salt it generously. Add the macaroni and boil, stirring occasionally, until al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain the macaroni in a colander, put in a serving bowl, and toss with the milk. Allow the macaroni to cool slightly while you make the dressing.

For the dressing: Whisk the vinegar, mustard, the 2 teaspoons salt, and black pepper to taste in a large bowl. Gradually whisk in the olive oil, starting with a few drops and then adding the rest in a steady stream to make a smooth, slightly thick dressing. Whisk in the sour cream.

Drain the onions, pat dry, and add to the macaroni along with the ham, peas, celery, and dill. Add the dressing and fold to coat the pasta evenly. Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Know-How: Why the milk? When we left it out of the recipe, the macaroni absorbed too much of the dressing and the salad was overly acidic. Adding just a couple tablespoons mellowed the dressing and gave the salad a wonderful old-fashioned quality without being goopy or heavy.

Next Recipe

More recipes? Try these recommendations:

Similar Recipe

Black-Eyed Pea Soup with Ham Hocks and Creme Fraiche

Picture of Macaroni Salad with Dill and Ham Recipe

Photo: Macaroni Salad with Dill and Ham

Similar Recipes

Recipes Like This

All About…

Recipe Collections

Showing 1-10 of 25

View all 25 Salad Collections

Comments & Reviews

recipe Macaroni Salad with Dill and Ham
Laverne Kirkland, WA 08-03-2009
Flag

Needs help!!
Rated: 3 stars out of 5

I made this EXACTLY as written, omitting the salt as previous writers recommended. It was too vinegary!! I doubled the sour... cream and added 1/3 C of Best Foods mayonnaise. It turned out quite acceptable. The recipe makes a lot, even without the extra sour cream and mayo, so count on at least 6-8 servings!!Read more
recipe Macaroni Salad with Dill and Ham
Kristen Oxnard, CA 07-15-2009
Flag

EHHH...Not so good
Rated: 2 stars out of 5

I made this the night before a BBQ and I after I finsihed it all the prominent taste of the vinegar and mustard was left in... my mouth. I ended up trying to add more other ingredients to take away from the mustard and vinegar taste. If I were to do it again I wouldn't use vinegar and not so much EVOO. Too greasy for my taste. Read more
recipe Macaroni Salad with Dill and Ham
Margaret Findlay, OH 06-28-2009
Flag

A tasty summer salad!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

Loved this refreshing variation of Macaroni Salad. I was glad for the hint on cutting back on the salt and only used 3/4 t. I... also used Rice vinegar since I didn't have the white wine vinegar on hand. A flexible recipe that can be adjusted to your own taste! I will make it again for our 4th of July bash.Read more
recipe Macaroni Salad with Dill and Ham
SUSAN CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA 06-23-2009
Flag

Delicious
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I made this salad for Father's Day and it was a BIG HIT. I did make some changes - I added some diced red pepper for color;... used half the amount of ham - smoked Virginia ham , and cut the ham in 3/4" cubes instead of the 1"x3" strips. I added a little mayo for a richer flavor; the dressing tasted way too salty when I tasted it so I added some sugar to decrease the saltiness. Next time, I will start with half the salt! I may or may not add sugar the next time. The fresh dill really made a difference and added to the fresh taste. Everyone had extra helpings of the salad and several of the guests asked for the recipe. I will definitely make this dish again. Read more
recipe Macaroni Salad with Dill and Ham
Amy Lexington, KY 05-30-2009
Flag

Very Good
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I really enjoyed this recipe. I did alter it a bit...Instead of ham I used thick, center-cut bacon. I cut the white wine... vinegar down by 1/2 tblsp. I omitted the peas. I added 1 tblsp. of fresh grated parmesean to the the dressing prior to adding the olive oil. I also added some cubed medium cheddar cheese. It's pretty darned good. Read more
recipe Macaroni Salad with Dill and Ham
Paula Tyngsboro, MA 05-26-2009
Flag

Disappointment
Rated: 2 stars out of 5

I was very dissatisfied with this recipe. The dominant flavor is that of the white wine vinegar. . It says the milk... acts to cut down on the acidity, but it still seemed highly acidic. I served this at a cookout, and no one liked it. Read more