Muy Bueno: Fiestas 
Vangie’s Famous Macaroni Salad
When I was a kid I remember these huge family cookouts for the Fourth of July. We either celebrated at a park or one of my aunts would host a barbecue in their backyard. We never went to see a professional firework display — my cousins and I had our own firework display and shot off bottle rockets, popped black cats, sparked sparklers, and lit up stinky little black snakes all night long without any adult supervision. We would be entertained for hours and thankfully no one was ever hurt. Wow, how times have changed.
Our family gatherings were always potluck style and everyone brought their best side dish. You can guarantee my mom would either make her famous potato salad or this delicious macaroni salad.
It had been years since I tasted her macaroni salad and I begged her to make it when we hosted the summer fiesta. It was even more delicious then I remember. The special mystery ingredient is SPAM, yes, SPAM. It’s cubed and mixed together with cubes of cheese, crisp celery, pickles, and scallions, making this macaroni salad unique and memorable.
It’s perfect for a summer potluck side dish or festive weekend barbecue.
Vangie’s Famous Macaroni Salad
Ingredients
- 16 ounces dry elbow macaroni
- salt
- 1 ½ cups light mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup mustard
- 3 celery stalks, thinly sliced
- 3 scallions, sliced (white and dark green parts)
- 1/2 cup black olives, chopped
- ½ cup chopped dill or sour pickles
- 6 ounces Spam, or ham, cut into 1/4-inch dice
- 4 ounces Muenster cheese, cubed
- 8 ounces Colby cheese, cubed
Instructions
- Cook the macaroni in lightly salted water according to package directions. Drain but do not rinse. Transfer to a large bowl. Cover with plastic wrap; refrigerate until cool.
- Add mayonnaise and mustard and lightly combine.
- Stir in celery, scallions, black olives, pickles, spam, and cheese.
- Chill for at least 2 hours before serving.
Notes
- This creamy Macaroni salad will stay good refrigerated for 3 to 5 days. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap, or store in an airtight container to maximize freshness.
20 Comments on “Vangie’s Famous Macaroni Salad”
This is an excellent recipe for macaroni salad! The spam and celery are a nice touch and makes it different from the rest.
Give it a little kick, try it with Jalapeno or Black Pepper Spam.
Yumm this sounds so good! And I like the different Mac Salad from the usual egg,celery and olives. I can’t wait to try it with the spam/ham it sounds like it may be a winner for my casa =)
Hi!
What is muenster cheese? Will I be able to find it at a regular supermarket? Thanks!
Hi Azalia,
Yes, muenster cheese is readily available and you can also replace with Monterey Jack.
This is perfect timing as we are hosting a family bbq this coming weekend. I definitely will use some smoked or lean ham. Thanks for the delicious recipe
So excited you will be giving this recipe a try. Keep us posted 😉
I have to try that macaroni salad. It looks so good! What a neat ingredient to add Spam.
Thank you Lori! The Spam adds a great flavor, but tastes just as yummy with ham 😉
I am remembering all your family bbq’s and this sounds so good. I’m making potato salad today and referencing the recipe in the cookbook since its been awhile. This pasta salad is next.. making it for the 4th.
Awww I miss you amiga! You are like a cuzin/hermana. Love ya!
Please take pictures of your salads and post them on the Muy Bueno facebook page so I can share. That way I feel like we are eating and celebrating together.
Hugs to all!
Nice recipe. Thanks and have a great 4th.
ok, one more question. Sweet or dill pickles?
Lea Ann,
Dill or sour pickles. Keep me posted if you give it a try. I just made it last weekend and a guest said its the BEST pasta salad he has ever had 😉
Yay, sounds great.
Same here, me and my cousins would throw firecrackers, burn sparklers for hours. Unsupervised. Love this unique macaroni salad. I’ll have to give it a try. Is there no recipe? Just add ingredients to taste?
Silly me! Recipe is now showing. Thanks for catching that Lea Ann.
Have a fun and safe 4th of July!
A scrumptious salad!
Cheers,
Rosa
This recipe sounds SO good. Will have to make it for the next family gathering.
Have you always made macaroni salad with Spam Erika? How did you guess? Have a happy Fourth of July cuzin!! I miss all the familia, memories, y comida too! Let’s continue the tradition for our children!