Creamy Ensalada de Coditos Recipe

If you want to make more Spanish salad recipes, but you aren't the biggest fan of vegetables, then we have the perfect salad for you. We are talking about the ensalada de coditos, a Spanish pasta salad where the elbows pasta is the main star. Keep scrolling down this article to learn how to prepare the ensalada de coditos, plus some helpful tips for storing, serving, and possible substitutions to the ingredients.

📝 Ingredients

• 1 3/4 cups (250 gr) elbows pasta (macaroni-type pasta)
• 150 gr serrano ham (or regular ham)
• 150 grams manchego cheese
• 1 red bell pepper
• 1 green pepper
• 1 onion
• 2 tomatoes
• 1/2 cup (100 gr) green olives (pitted)
• 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons vinegar
• 4 tablespoons mayonnaise
• Salt and pepper (to taste)

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1Cook the elbows in a pot covered with...: Cook the elbows in a pot covered with water and a pinch of salt following the package instructions until al dente.
2. 2Drain and rinse with cold water to stop...: Drain and rinse with cold water to stop cooking. Set them aside to cool.
3. 3Cut the serrano ham (or regular ham) and...: Cut the serrano ham (or regular ham) and the manchego cheese (or another similar cheese) into small cubes. Set aside.
4. 4Wash, peel, and chop the onion into small...: Wash, peel, and chop the onion into small cubes. Wash and cut the peppers into small cubes, removing the inedible parts and the seeds. Set aside.
5. 5Wash and cut the tomatoes into small cubes,...: Wash and cut the tomatoes into small cubes, removing the seeds. Cut the pitted olives in half.
6. 6In a large bowl, mix the cooked elbows...: In a large bowl, mix the cooked elbows with all the ingredients that you cut up.
7. 7In another small bowl, prepare the dressing by...: In another small bowl, prepare the dressing by mixing the olive oil, vinegar, tablespoons of mayonnaise, salt, and pepper to taste. Beat the ingredients well until emulsified.
8. 8Pour the dressing over the ham cheese pasta...: Pour the dressing over the ham cheese pasta salad and mix everything so that the ingredients get covered in it.
9. 9Let the serrano ham salad sit in the...: Let the serrano ham salad sit in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld and intensify.
10. 10Serve the ham and pasta salad cold.