Festive Layered Salad
A vibrant, layered salad combining pasta, fresh vegetables, ham, and cheese, dressed with creamy dill mayonnaise, perfect for festive gatherings and family dinners.
Ingredients
- 1 cup small macaroni shells ⓘ
- 4 cups shredded romaine lettuce ⓘ
- 4 carrots, pared and cut into 2-inch sticks ⓘ
- 10 oz. frozen green peas, thawed ⓘ
- 1 small red onion, cut into rings ⓘ
- 1/2 pound cooked ham, cut into 1/2-inch cubes ⓘ
- 1/2 cup shredded Swiss cheese ⓘ
- 1 1/2 cups mayonnaise ⓘ
- 2 hard-cooked eggs, cut into wedges ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill or 1 1/2 teaspoons dill weed ⓘ
Instructions
- Cook macaroni shells until tender, then drain and cool to room temperature.
- Place shredded romaine lettuce evenly in the bottom of a 3-quart clear glass bowl.
- Arrange carrot sticks in an even layer over the lettuce.
- Layer cooked macaroni over the carrots.
- Spread thawed green peas over the macaroni.
- Add a layer of small red onion rings.
- Distribute cut-up cooked ham over the onion layer.
- Sprinkle shredded Swiss cheese on top of the ham.
- In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise and dill.
- Mound the mayonnaise and dill mixture in the center of the salad.
- Arrange egg wedges around the dressing on the salad.
- Cover and chill the salad.
- Just before serving, toss well to coat everything evenly.
Tips & Substitutions
To enhance flavor, consider adding cherry tomatoes or bell peppers to the salad. If you're looking for a lighter version, substitute Greek yogurt for half of the mayonnaise. For a vegetarian option, you can replace the ham with chickpeas or tofu. Fresh herbs like parsley or chives can also elevate the taste.
Serving Suggestions
This festive layered salad is perfect for potlucks or holiday gatherings and pairs beautifully with Spidini Bread. Serve alongside a light soup or a protein dish like Crunchy Meatballs for a complete meal. For an added crunch, offer a side of tortilla chips or crackers to complement the creamy texture of the salad.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The salad may become soggy as the ingredients meld, so it’s best to serve it fresh. If you want to reheat, remove the egg wedges and gently warm the salad in the microwave for a few seconds, but it's best enjoyed cold.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Festive Layered Salad contains roughly 1080 calories, with 29g protein, 155g carbohydrates, and 42g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin A (204% of the Daily Value), calcium (73% of the Daily Value), and iron (62% of the Daily Value), and a good source of vitamin C. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 890mg per serving (39% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this salad ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the salad a day in advance. Just assemble the layers but wait to add the mayonnaise and egg wedges until right before serving to maintain freshness. Cover and refrigerate to ensure it stays crisp.
What can I substitute for the Swiss cheese?
If you prefer a different cheese, Gruyère or cheddar work well as substitutes for Swiss cheese in this recipe. Both choices will add a unique flavor profile while maintaining the salad's creamy texture.
Is it possible to make this salad vegetarian?
Absolutely! To make this salad vegetarian, simply omit the ham and consider adding extra vegetables like diced bell peppers or cucumbers for added texture and flavor. You can also incorporate chickpeas for protein.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).