Ensalada de Coditos (Puerto Rican Macaroni Salad)
Local name: Ensalada de coditos
In short: Puerto Rican party macaroni salad with ham, hard-boiled egg, pimiento and celery in a creamy dressing, chilled for a few hours before serving. It takes about 37 min in total and makes 10 servings.
- Prep
- 25 min
- Cook
- 12 min
- Resting
- 2 h
- Total
- 37 min
- Servings
- 10
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 340 kcal
Ensalada de coditos is the macaroni salad that sits next to the roast pork and pasteles at Puerto Rican family parties. Elbow macaroni is cooked a little soft so it can soak up the creamy dressing, then tossed with ham, egg, sweet pimiento and celery. It is better after a couple of hours in the fridge. Many cooks also bring it to beach days and potlucks, where it holds up well in a cooler.
Instructions
- Boil the macaroni in a large pot of well-salted water for 1 minute longer than the package says, until very tender. Drain, rinse briefly with cool water and drain well.
- Whisk the mayonnaise, vinegar, mustard, pepper and salt in a large bowl until smooth.
- Add the cooled macaroni, celery, onion, red pepper and olives and toss until every piece is coated.
- Gently fold in the chopped eggs and ham.
- Cover and chill for at least 2 hours so the pasta absorbs the dressing. Taste, and add a little salt or a splash of vinegar if needed.
- Stir in a spoonful of milk or water to loosen the salad if it has thickened in the fridge, then serve cold.
Tips
- Do not rinse the macaroni with hot water, and let it cool completely before dressing it. Warm pasta makes the mayonnaise oily.
- For a heartier salad, add a cup of cooked chicken or tuna, or swap the ham for diced cooked turkey. Keep the salad chilled until just before serving.
Questions and answers
How long does macaroni salad keep?
Store it covered in the fridge for up to 3 days. At a party, do not leave it out for more than 2 hours, or 1 hour in hot weather.
Can I freeze ensalada de coditos?
No. Mayonnaise separates when frozen and thawed, and the pasta turns mushy.
What do you serve with Puerto Rican macaroni salad?
It is a classic side for roast pork, arroz con gandules and pasteles at holiday meals. It also goes with fried chicken and grilled meats at barbecues.
How long does it take to make Ensalada de Coditos (Puerto Rican Macaroni Salad)?
About 37 min in total: 25 min of preparation and 12 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Ensalada de Coditos (Puerto Rican Macaroni Salad)?
About 340 kcal per serving, with 9 g of protein, 30 g of carbohydrates and 20 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 340 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 9 g |
| Carbohydrates | 30 g |
| Fat | 20 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 3 g |
| Sodium | 620 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
