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    Home » Recipes » Side Dishes » Ensalada de Coditos + VIDEO

    Ensalada de Coditos + VIDEO

    Last Updated November 9, 2022. Originally Posted May 28, 2019 By Maggie Unzueta

    This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Ensalada de Coditos is an easy and creamy Mexican side dish that is great for parties or potlucks. It comes together literally in minutes and perfect in every way.
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Ensalada de Coditos is an easy Mexican appetizer or side dish that great for parties or potlucks. It comes together in minutes and enjoyed by all. Recipe with video. By Mama Maggie’s Kitchen
    Ensalada de Coditos served in a clay bowl and topped with slices of green onion.

    Ensalada de Coditos is the perfect side dish along with Frijoles de la Olla, Arroz Blanco, Papas con Rajas.

    You will see a big bowl of this traditional dish at every Mexican party – birthdays, Sunday afternoon carne asada, Quinceañera, family picnics.

    My sneaking suspicion is that we took it from the Americans – a little cross border culinary borrowing.

    The true origins of this dish may remain a mystery to me, but the taste is so incredibly creamy and delicious that it’s awfully hard to resist.

    Ingredients

    Ingredients for Ensalada de Coditos laid out on a wooden surface. These are all of the ingredients that you need.

    It’s a super simple yet satisfying Mexican side dish, a no-brainer recipe. You probably already have most, if not all, of the ingredients to make this cold pasta salad.

    Note: This recipe is ensalada de coditos mexicana (or Mexican style). There are other Latin American countries that have their own version of this dish.

    The ingredients for the creamy Mexican Elbow Macaroni Salad laid out on a white granite surface. Only these four ingredients are needed to make the sauce: mayonnaise, sour cream, salt, and just a hint of mustard.

    That’s regular mustard, but you can also use dijon mustard. For a little tanginess, add a splash of apple cider vinegar or green olives.

    Some people add some the brine of Pickled Jalapeños.

    Here are some other ingredients you can add:

    • Slices of raw jalapeño
    • Cebolla en Escabeche
    • Diced Red Bell Peppers
    • Diced Yellow Peppers
    • Diced Green Peppers
    • Diced Celery
    • Diced Red Onion
    • Diced Roasted Poblano Peppers
    • Slices of Serrano Pepper
    • Dill pickles

    Remember to be extra careful with mayo. Keep this dish refrigerated particularly in the warm summer weather.

    If you are serving it at a party, it’s important to keep the elbow pasta salad cold.

    Cooked elbow macaroni pasta in a pink bowl.

    • Cook in salted water until al dente.
    • Set aside.

    Ensalada de Coditos literally translated means “Elbow Macaroni Salad.” It’s the same pasta used in Sopa de Codito.

    Drain and rinse in cold water. Then, add a little olive oil so it won’t stick together.

    Cubed ham in a red bowl next to the other ingredients for Mexican pasta salad. Talk about a great way to use leftover ham from Easter or Christmas dinner! In a pinch, you can use deli ham to make this macaroni salad recipe.

    Or, look for the thick cut of ham in the meat section. Often referred to as a “ham steak.” Then, cut into small cubes.

    Variations

    With Chicken:

    • Swap out the ham for cooked, diced chicken.
    • Continue with the recipe as normal.

    Using Tuna:

    • Drain the tuna can and swap it out for the ham.
    • Add the juice of half a lemon to the dressing.
    • Continue with the recipe as normal.

    With Crab:

    • Here’s another creative twist to this recipe: swap out the ham for crab meat.
    • Add the lemon juice to the dressing and continue with the recipe.

    The ingredients for Ensalada de Coditos in a white rectangular container.

    • Add all the ingredients to a large container or a large bowl.
    • Mix, cover with plastic wrap, and keep cold until ready to serve.

    What a great recipe and potluck dish! The flavors need to marry to fully develop for an even better tasting and delicious salad.

    I suggest putting it in the fridge for an hour before serving, but it can be eaten right away.

    Take this easy pasta salad to your next potluck, everyone is sure to love it. Buen provecho!

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    Did you make this recipe? Please rate the recipe below!

    Ensalada de Coditos Mexicana in a clay dish with forks and other decorative plates in the background.

    Ensalada de Coditos

    Ensalada de Coditos is an easy and creamy Mexican side dish that is great for parties or potlucks. It comes together literally in minutes and perfect in every way.
    5 from 22 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: Mexican
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Servings: 10 people
    Calories: 253kcal
    Author: Maggie Unzueta

    Ingredients

    • 1 8-oz package elbow macaroni
    • 1 cup mayonnaise
    • 1 cup sour cream
    • 1 tspn yellow mustard
    • 1 tspn salt
    • 1 15-oz can peas and carrots
    • 1/2 15-oz can corn
    • 1 lb ham steak cubed

    Instructions

    • Cook the elbow macaroni according to package instructions.
    • Drain, rinse, and set aside until it is room temperature.
    • In a small bowl, mix the mayonnaise, sour cream, mustard, and salt.
    • Set aside. (If you are assembling the salad later, be sure to refrigerate the dressing).
    • In a large container, add the cooked elbow macaroni, peas and carrots, corn, ham, and dressing.
    • Mix thoroughly.
    • Place in the refrigerator for 1 hour before serving.
    • Serve with saltine crackers.

    Video

    Notes

    Be sure to keep the salad cold.
    For a spicier version, add pickled jalapenos and some of the brine to the sauce. 
    Instead of a ham steak, you can also use ham slices, tuna, chicken, or crab. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 253kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 42mg | Sodium: 776mg | Potassium: 184mg | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 167IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 29mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @MamaMaggiesKitchen or tag #MamaMaggiesKitchen!

    Filed Under: Mexican, Recipes, Side Dishes, Summer

    About Maggie Unzueta

    Maggie Unzueta is the writer/blogger, photographer, recipe developer, videographer, and creator of In Mama Maggie's Kitchen. She has been developing easy and authentic Mexican food, Mexican-inspired recipes, and traveling tips since 2010. From family recipes to her extensive travels throughout Mexico, she brings traditional Mexican flavors from South of the Border and into your kitchen. Maggie has been featured in notable culinary websites and other media outlets. For more details, check out her About page.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Megan Ellam

      February 6, 2022 at 7:04 pm

      5 stars
      This is so popular when we have visitors. Such a great easy side dish to impress.

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        February 7, 2022 at 10:40 am

        I like to serve this at parties too.

        Reply
    2. Alexandra

      February 6, 2022 at 7:04 pm

      5 stars
      This is such a delicious, full of flavour dish.

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        February 7, 2022 at 10:39 am

        Couldn’t agree more. Thank you!

        Reply
    3. Maya

      February 7, 2022 at 9:27 am

      5 stars
      Lovely recipe!

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        February 7, 2022 at 10:39 am

        So glad you enjoyed this recipe!

        Reply
    4. Andrea White

      February 7, 2022 at 3:18 pm

      5 stars
      love this so much! so full of flavor and is the perfect side dish!

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        February 14, 2022 at 8:38 am

        I think so too. Perfect side dish and so easy to make too.

        Reply
    5. Agnieszka

      February 7, 2022 at 8:44 pm

      5 stars
      Exactly what I was looking for!

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        February 14, 2022 at 8:37 am

        Happy to help!

        Reply
    6. Jamie

      February 7, 2022 at 11:49 pm

      5 stars
      So creamy and delicious!

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        February 8, 2022 at 10:29 am

        Yes, I love creamy dishes. 🙂

        Reply
    7. Stine Mari

      February 8, 2022 at 5:17 am

      5 stars
      I love how easy AND delicious this was!

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        May 12, 2022 at 6:08 pm

        Yay! Glad you enjoyed the recipe.

        Reply
    8. Tatiana

      February 9, 2022 at 9:58 am

      5 stars
      I like cold salads, great for summer potluck

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        February 12, 2022 at 4:19 pm

        Me too. This is a potluck favorite!

        Reply
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