Ensalada De Coditos (Mexican Macaroni Salad)
This Ensalada De Coditos is undoubtedly a classic Mexican recipe. Elbow pasta is tossed with creamy textures and dotted with crisp celery, carrots, corn kernels and flavorful peppers.
Sopa Fria (Coditos Pasta Salad)
When I think of Ensalada De Coditos, I think of the perfect side dish to accompany Holiday & Mexican Party dishes. It is usually served along with Frijoles Puercos for some classic dishes like Tamales, Shredded beef and Barbacoa.
This recipe is easy, bright, flavorful, and it makes the perfect companion to other Mexican dishes. Dairy free option too!
Ingredients & Substitutes
Most traditional Ensalada De Coditos recipes more or less follow this method of cooking. Here’s what we’re trying to achieve at each step:
- Elbow pasta (coditos)
- Carrots diced in small cubes
- Corn kernels – frozen will work here, just make sure to thaw them first.
- Fresh celery diced in small cubes
- Roasted red bell pepper diced in small cubes
- Pickled jalapeño diced in small cubes
- Pickled jalapeño vinegar
- Mexican crema (or Plant-based sour cream for a dairy free version)
- Mayonnaise or (Plant-based mayo, my favorite is brand Hellmann’s)
- kosher salt & fresh black pepper
***Find the complete recipe with measurements below.
How to make Ensalada De Coditos
This pasta salad is so easy to make and once you have all ingredients ready, it comes together in no time.
- Cook macaroni in salted water according to directions on package (I added about 1/2 tbsp salt to the water).
- Drain and rinse with cold water until completely cool. Let drain very well.
- In a medium mixing bowl stir together the rest of the ingredients and combine well.
- Add the drained elbow pasta and fold in gently to mix with the vegetable mixture.
- Taste for salt & pepper and add more according to taste.
Chef’s Tips and Storing Notes
- Don’t over cook elbow pasta.
- Cool the pasta thoroughly before mixing the other ingredients.
- Use good quality mayo.
- Be sure to add enough salt & pepper or it can taste bland.
Storing
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.
FAQs
Yes, this is great for making the night before serving. Making it ahead of time actually gives the pasta some time to soak up all that flavor and makes for a cold pasta salad.
If needed you can thin with a little more mayo/crema the next day.
Yes. Pasta that is used for a cold pasta salad or macaroni salad should be rinsed. Not only does this cool it off, it also washes away extra starch that will cause the pasta to stick together.
You can store this homemade Ensalada De Coditos in the fridge for up to 3 to 5 days.
MORE delicious…
Side Dishes Recipes
💫 If you enjoyed this recipe I’d love it if you take 5 seconds to rate and review it below on the blog. It’s also super helpful to me and other readers if you share any changes you made to the recipe. I’m so grateful you’re here! 🙏🏼
Print Recipe:
Ensalada De Coditos (Mexican Macaroni Salad)
Ingredients
- 5 oz elbow pasta (coditos)
- ⅓ cup carrots diced in small cubes
- ⅓ cup corn kernels cooked
- ⅓ cup fresh celery diced in small cubes
- ⅓ cup roasted red bell pepper diced in small cubes
- 1 pickled jalapeño diced in small cubes
- 2 Tbsp of pickled jalapeño vinegar
- 3 Tbsp plant-based sour cream (or Mexican crema)
- 3 Tbsp plant-based or regular mayonnaise
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp fresh black pepper
Instructions
- Cook macaroni in salted water according to directions on package (I added about 1/2 tbsp salt to the water).
- Drain and rinse with cold water until completely cool. Let drain very well.
- In a medium mixing bowl stir together the rest of the ingredients and combine well.
- Add the drained elbow pasta and fold in gently to mix with the vegetable mixture.
- Taste for salt & pepper and add more according to taste.
*Ana’s Notes:
- If you want an even richer, creamier dressing you can add more mayonnaise and crema until you reach the desired consistency. Do note that this will affect the calorie content.
- 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.
ADD YOUR OWN PRIVATE NOTES
Whenever you come back to this recipe, you’ll be able to see your notes.
NUTRITION
The nutritional information and US conversions are calculated automatically. I cannot guarantee the accuracy of this data. If this is important to you, please verify with your favourite nutrition calculator and/or unit conversion tool.
Deliciosa pasta de coditos ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Awesome 👏
I love to eat this Sopa Fria at parties! I see it a lot at weddings and quinceañeras lol! Can’t wait!