The special mystery ingredient in this pasta salad 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.
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.
OptionalVariations:
Gluten-Free - Simply swap in your favorite GF macaroni or other short noodle shape to make this dish celiac-friendly.
Vegetarian - If you have vegetarians in the mix, omit the SPAM or use your favorite plant-based meat alternative.
Expert Tips:
Don’t over- or under-cook the pasta. You want it to be al dente, so cooked, but with a bit of a bite.
Make sure to salt your pasta water. You only get one shot to season the actual noodles, so don’t miss it!
Don’t rinse the pasta after draining. The leftover starch is what helps the dressing adhere to the noodles.
If you’re serving this pasta salad at a party, consider using nesting bowls. Place the macaroni salad with cheese cubes in the smaller bowl, then fill the larger bowl about halfway with ice and enough water to barely cover the ice. Place the smaller bowl in the larger bowl, and you have a perfect serving setup to keep your macaroni salad nice and safe!