This Filipino macaroni salad has each rooster and ham for double the protein and taste. The all goal cream makes it additional wealthy and creamy. Candy pineapple, crunchy greens, and melted cheese all through. That is what I make for Christmas and large household gatherings.
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I make this Creamy Rooster and Ham Macaroni Salad each Christmas, and it has turn out to be a kind of dishes folks instantly acknowledge as soon as it hits the desk. This model is richer than most macaroni salads as a result of I exploit mayonnaise along with all goal cream. The cream offers the salad a easy, silky texture, and folks nearly at all times touch upon how creamy it’s.

Not like different macaroni salad recipes that depend on a single protein, this Creamy Rooster and Ham Macaroni Salad makes use of each rooster and ham. I realized early on that dishes with extra substance carry out higher, each at events and in actual meals service settings.
Candy pineapple and raisins stability the savory rooster and ham, whereas carrots and bell peppers add crunch. I cube every part small so every chew has slightly little bit of every part.
What Is Creamy Rooster and Ham Macaroni Salad
Creamy Rooster and Ham Macaroni Salad is a Filipino fashion pasta salad made with elbow macaroni, diced rooster breast, ham, fruits, greens, and a wealthy dressing produced from mayonnaise and all goal cream. Filipino macaroni salad is understood for being sweeter and creamier than Western variations, usually showing throughout holidays, birthdays, and enormous gatherings.
This model retains the sweetness balanced by counting on pineapple and raisins relatively than heavy condensed milk. The addition of each rooster and ham makes the dish filling sufficient to function greater than only a aspect.
Why This Recipe Works
- Two proteins add substance
Rooster supplies gentle taste that absorbs the dressing effectively, whereas ham provides saltiness and depth. That is what makes Creamy Rooster and Ham Macaroni Salad filling sufficient for events and potlucks. - Mayonnaise and all goal cream create higher texture
Mayonnaise alone can really feel heavy. The cream lightens the feel whereas conserving it wealthy and easy. - Candy and savory are correctly balanced
Pineapple and raisins convey sweetness, whereas cheese, rooster, and ham floor the dish with savory notes. - Uniform small cuts enhance each chew
Dicing every part evenly ensures constant taste and texture from begin to end.
Components You Want


For the salad
- Boneless rooster breast – lean protein that blends easily with the dressing
- Elbow macaroni – traditional pasta form that holds creamy sauce effectively
- Ham – salty and smoky distinction to candy components
- Nestlé All Goal Cream – key to the silky creamy texture
- Pineapple tidbits – candy and barely tangy stability
- Inexperienced bell pepper – contemporary crunch
- Carrots – shade, sweetness, and texture
- Purple onion – gentle sharpness
- Raisins – bursts of sweetness
- Candy pickle relish – tangy sweetness that cuts richness
- Pimiento – shade and gentle taste
- Cheddar cheese – savory depth
For the dressing
- Mayonnaise – base of the dressing
- Onion powder – savory background taste
- Garlic powder – gentle fragrant depth
- Salt – important seasoning
- Floor black pepper – delicate warmth
Easy methods to Cook dinner Creamy Rooster and Ham Macaroni Salad
- Cook dinner the macaroni
Convey 2 quarts of water to a boil with salt. Cook dinner elbow macaroni till al dente, then drain and permit to chill. - Cook dinner the rooster
Boil the rooster breast in contemporary water till totally cooked. Let it cool barely earlier than dicing into small cubes. - Season the pasta
Mix cooled macaroni with mayonnaise, salt, and floor black pepper. Fold gently till coated. - Add the proteins and blend ins
Add rooster, ham, pineapple, bell pepper, carrots, crimson onion, raisins, candy pickle relish, pimiento, onion powder, and garlic powder. Fold fastidiously. - Add the cream and cheese
Pour in Nestlé All Goal Cream and add grated cheddar cheese. Fold till evenly creamy. - Chill the salad
Cowl and refrigerate for a minimum of one hour or in a single day for greatest outcomes. - Serve chilly
Switch to a serving bowl and add additional cheese if desired.
Suggestions in Cooking
- Cook dinner macaroni simply till agency to forestall mushy texture
- Drain pineapple totally to keep away from extra moisture
- Fold gently to protect construction
- Permit time for chilling so flavors totally develop
- Add a small splash of cream if the salad thickens after refrigeration


Greatest Methods to Get pleasure from
Serve this Creamy Rooster and Ham Macaroni Salad chilly alongside scorching and crispy dishes. The distinction in temperature and texture makes it particularly satisfying at events and household gatherings.
Substitutions and Variations
- Use heavy cream or half and half if all goal cream is unavailable
- Change ham with leftover vacation ham or spam
- Add condensed milk for a sweeter Filipino fashion model
- Fold in chopped laborious boiled eggs for added protein
- Swap bell peppers with celery for a milder crunch
Storage and Leftovers
- Retailer in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as three days
- Add cream or mayonnaise if the salad appears dry
- Don’t freeze because the dressing will separate


What to Have with It
- Pancit – A savory noodle dish that balances the creaminess of the salad
- Rooster Lumpia – Crispy rolls that add texture distinction
- Embutido – A hearty sliced meat dish that completes a celebration unfold
Frequent Issues and Easy methods to Repair Them
The salad appears dry after sitting within the fridge in a single day. Is it ruined?
No, that is regular. The macaroni absorbs the dressing. Add 3 to 4 tablespoons of Nestlé cream or mayo and fold it in gently. Preserve including slightly at a time till it appears creamy once more. I at all times preserve additional cream readily available because of this.
I don’t have Nestlé cream. What can I exploit as an alternative?
Use heavy cream or desk cream. Similar quantity, 250 ml. Heavy cream works greatest as a result of it’s thick. Don’t use evaporated milk or common milk. They’re too skinny. When you solely have bitter cream, use half bitter cream and half mayo, however the style will probably be tangier.
How do I preserve this chilly at an outside occasion?
Serve it in a bowl set inside a bigger bowl stuffed with ice. Change the ice each hour. Or preserve the primary batch in a cooler and solely put out half at a time. Refill the serving bowl from the cooler. Macaroni salad with meat can’t sit out greater than 2 hours in heat climate.
Can I prep the components forward and blend every part later?
Sure. Cook dinner the rooster and macaroni as much as 2 days forward. Retailer them individually within the fridge. Cube all of the greens and retailer in containers. Combine every part collectively 3 to 4 hours earlier than serving. This works effectively whenever you’re busy the day of the occasion.
The cheese isn’t melting into the salad. What occurred?
You used pre-shredded cheese. It has anti-caking powder that stops it from melting. Purchase a block of cheddar and grate it your self. Additionally be sure that the macaroni continues to be barely heat whenever you add the cheese. If every part is chilly from the fridge, the cheese gained’t soften.
That is the Creamy Rooster and Ham Macaroni Salad I convey to potlucks as a result of folks at all times ask for the recipe. Using all goal cream makes it stand out, whereas the stability of flavors retains it from feeling heavy.
Do that recipe and let me know your ideas.


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Creamy Rooster and Ham Macaroni Salad
Creamy Filipino fashion macaroni salad made with rooster, ham, fruits, greens, and a wealthy mayonnaise and cream dressing.
Gear
Giant pot For boiling macaroni and rooster
Giant mixing bowl For combining all components
Colander For draining macaroni and pineapple
Giant spoon or spatula For folding components gently
Directions
Cook dinner the macaroni – Convey 2 quarts of water to a boil in a cooking pot. Add 1 teaspoon of salt and the elbow macaroni. Cook dinner for about 8 minutes or till al dente. Drain and put aside.
1 pound elbow macaroni, 3 teaspoons salt, 2 quarts water
Cook dinner the rooster – Utilizing the identical pot, boil the rooster breast in contemporary water for about 12 minutes or till totally cooked. Take away the rooster, let it cool barely, then cube into small cubes. Discard the water.
2 kilos boneless rooster breast
Combine the bottom – In a big mixing bowl, mix the cooked macaroni, mayonnaise, 2 teaspoons salt, and floor black pepper. Gently fold till the macaroni is evenly coated.
1 cup mayonnaise, 3 teaspoons salt, 1 teaspoon floor black pepper
Add proteins and greens – Add the diced rooster, ham, pineapple tidbits, bell pepper, carrots, crimson onion, raisins, candy pickle relish, pimiento, onion powder, and garlic powder. Fold till all components are effectively distributed.
6 ounces ham, 12 ounces pineapple tidbits, 1 piece inexperienced bell pepper, 2 items medium carrots, 1 piece medium crimson onion, 1/2 cup raisins, 1/4 cup candy pickle relish, 4 ounces pimiento, 1 1/2 teaspoons onion powder, 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
Add cream and cheese – Pour within the Nestlé All Goal Cream and add the grated cheddar cheese. Proceed folding till the salad turns into creamy and effectively blended.
250 ml Nestlé All Goal Cream, 3/4 cup cheddar cheese
Chill – Cowl and refrigerate for a minimum of 1 hour to permit the flavors to develop.
Serve – Switch to a serving bowl earlier than serving.
Share and luxuriate in!
Notes
Diet Data
Energy: 648kcal (32%) Carbohydrates: 51g (17%) Protein: 33g (66%) Fats: 35g (54%) Saturated Fats: 12g (60%) Polyunsaturated Fats: 12g Monounsaturated Fats: 9g Trans Fats: 0.1g Ldl cholesterol: 115mg (38%) Sodium: 1277mg (53%) Potassium: 694mg (20%) Fiber: 3g (12%) Sugar: 10g (11%) Vitamin A: 968IU (19%) Vitamin C: 27mg (33%) Calcium: 114mg (11%) Iron: 2mg (11%)

