Okay, so I am going to preface this blogpost with this,
If you have followed me and cooked/baked from my recipes,
chances are you might have made
or
Seriously, folks, this woman knows her stuff.
A couple of weeks ago my family attended the graduation party of my friend, Tonja’s son.
My kids were each on their second helping of this pasta salad and “mmmming” with every bite.
When I asked Tonja what was in it, she giggled and told me the two “secret ingredients” that I will share with you in a second.
She then told me that her Mom had made it, but that it was Grandma Davis’ recipe.
I was sold.
So, I decided to whip it up for our Memorial Day cookout.
Please don’t let the main secret ingredient detour you from making this wonderful salad!! It is SO GOOD!!
Here are the two things that her family claims makes this salad what it is:
Spam and Dill Pickle Juice!
Tonja told me that her Grandma uses her own homemade pickle juice, but that the pickle juice doesn’t change the flavor as much as leaving out the Spam. She has tried it with ham and it “just isn’t the same.”
I ate Spam as a kid, but in my 20+ years of married life I don’t ever remember buying it?
This salad is AH-Mazing! You just have to try it!
My nieces
and nephews fought over the leftovers.
my plate from the cookout…SWOON!
When I called Tonja for the recipe she said “there isn’t one, mix it up til it tastes right.”
I had only eaten it once, so that made things a little tough.
She hung on the phone with me, like the good old days, and we worked through it to develop this recipe to share with you!
Below is the “recipe” we came up with!
I made this a day early, the flavors had a chance to marry together nicely that way!
It was a BIG Hit!!
Yield: 1
Pasta Salad
Grandma Davis’ Pasta Salad is amazing! Childhood favorite that your whole family will enjoy.
Prep Time
5 minutes
Cook Time
12 minutes
Additional Time
8 hours
Total Time
8 hours 17 minutes
Ingredients
- 15 ounces of mayonnaise, (Hellmans is her first choice, I used the light)
- 1/4 cup dill pickle juice
- milk to thin sauce (optional, I didn’t use it)
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 8 ounces (more if you like) frozen peas
- 1 cucumber, diced (I left skins on mine)
- red onion, chopped, to taste
- 2-3 Roma tomatoes, diced
- 1 can Spam, diced
- cubed American cheese (optional, I didn’t use it)
- 1 package of small elbow macaroni, cooked and drained
Instructions
Boil pasta, drain and set aside. Combine ingredients for the sauce. I didn’t feel like I needed the milk in mine, I liked the creamy texture of the mayo and pickle juice, set this aside.
Chop all of the veggies and Spam, cheese if you desire.
Toss pasta and chopped ingredients in a large bowl, cover with sauce, and coat.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
1Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 3679Total Fat: 338gSaturated Fat: 59gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 270gCholesterol: 234mgSodium: 5431mgCarbohydrates: 119gFiber: 17gSugar: 37gProtein: 42g
Nutrition isn't always accurate.
Shared at:
If you make this recipe, I’d love to know! Snap a picture, share the photo on social media with the hashtag #AnAffairFromTheHeart – I’d love to see what you made! – Michaela
Kris says
I have been looking for some new salad recipes for the summer. This one definitely fits what I am looking for, so I will put some Spam on the shopping list! Pinned 🙂
Lorinda McKinnon - the Rowdy Baker says
It looks so appetizing! I’m definitely going to try it. I admit I’m raising my eyebrows at the idea of buying Spam, but I’ll do it anyhow. I’ve just got to see how this tastes!
Joanne T Ferguson says
CongratsMichaela on also being featured in Deanna’s Olive and Grapevine Salad Newsletter this week!
GREAT salad! Cheers! Joanne
April @ The 21st Century Housewife says
I love the ‘secret ingredients’ in this wonderful family recipe! Grandma Davis’ Pasta Salad sounds scrumptious. There’s nothing like a good old fashioned macaroni salad like this!
Mike says
I’m with your kids when it comes to great macaroni salad, Michaela! The pickle juice I’ve used before but Spam…I didn’t see that coming! That is ingenious. I just printed this out and can’t wait to make it! Maybe some cubed Tillamook medium cheddar too?
Michaela Kenkel says
The cheddar sounds like a great addition! Come back and let me know what you think, Mike! 🙂
maria nieves says
Several versions on this, will make this one looks better than mine. Thank you!
Lynn smith says
My uncle had a drugstore with a counter and served the best sandwiches. One being a ham salad,it was made with spam! He grated it and then added mayo r miracle whip/mustard/pickle relish/salt/pepper it was delish! I have also added finely diced green onion.
Michaela Kenkel says
Sounds good!! I hope you like the salad, too!
Evalyn says
My mom used to make this when I was a little girl…she never put mustard only Miracle Whip…it was yummy!
Lisa A Kangas says
Loved this! I didn’t have pickle juice on hand so I used dill with vinegar & a little sugar. Added the peas & cheese with some veggies (riced) and we loved it! I should have made a double batch. Thanks Michaela!
Michaela Kenkel says
This is one of my family’s favorites! I am so happy you enjoyed it, Lisa!
Dawn says
I am a spam eater and this salad sounds marvelous to me. It looks delicious.
Victoria says
Do the peas have to be frozen? Do you think from a can would work ok?
Michaela Kenkel says
I am sure they would? I would just be really careful — canned ones seem mushier to me?