The Ultimate Creamy Dill Pickle & Spam Pasta Salad: Your New Potluck Go-To

This phenomenal Pasta Salad with Spam has been a staple on my blog since its original publication in 2013, quickly becoming a reader favorite. Over the years, I’ve prepared it countless times for family gatherings, potlucks, and casual weeknight dinners, always to rave reviews. Finally, I carved out some time to capture its deliciousness with new, vibrant photos and enrich the content of this post with additional tips and insights. I’m thrilled to re-share this timeless recipe with you today, just in time for all your summer celebrations, including Memorial Day Weekend. Believe me, this is the distinctive and utterly delicious pasta salad your next backyard cookout, barbecue, or family get-together has been eagerly anticipating.

The Unexpected Origin of a Family Favorite Pasta Salad

Unveiling the “Secret” Ingredients That Make This Pasta Salad Shine

What Exactly is Spam, and Why Does It Belong in Pasta Salad?

For those who might be unfamiliar or harbor preconceived notions, let’s talk about Spam. SPAM is a beloved, salty, processed canned pork product that was first introduced to the world in 1937 by the Hormel Foods Corporation. Its basic ingredients are pork shoulder and ham, which are finely chopped, seasoned, and then pressed into its distinctive rectangular can. Spam gained immense popularity and became a household name during World War II, serving as a vital and convenient protein source for soldiers and civilians alike.

Today, Spam remains incredibly popular in many parts of the world, particularly in Hawaii, where it has become a deeply ingrained part of the local cuisine. This makes perfect sense to me, as my mom often served Spam alongside sweet pineapple, creating a delightful balance of savory and sweet that I remember fondly from my childhood. While I grew up eating Spam occasionally, and have always appreciated its unique taste, I must admit that until I first made this particular pasta salad in 2013, I had never actually purchased a can of it myself as an adult. Discovering its role in this recipe truly opened my eyes to its versatility and delicious potential beyond a simple fried slice. In this pasta salad, Spam contributes a unique umami depth and a satisfying, slightly firm texture that stands out beautifully against the creamy dressing and crisp vegetables, proving that sometimes, the most unexpected ingredients create the most memorable dishes.

Essential Ingredients for Your Creamy Spam Pasta Salad

Crafting this delightful pasta salad requires a handful of simple yet impactful ingredients, divided between the luscious dressing and the hearty salad base. You will find the exact measurements and detailed step-by-step instructions conveniently located at the bottom of this post in the printable recipe card, making it easy to reference as you cook.

For the Creamy Dressing:

• Mayonnaise: This forms the rich, creamy foundation of our dressing. Both full-fat mayonnaise, for maximum richness and flavor, and light mayonnaise, for a slightly healthier option, will work beautifully. Choose your preference!
• Dill Pickle Juice: This is one of our “secret” ingredients and truly makes the dressing sing! It imparts a fantastic tangy, briny flavor that cuts through the richness of the mayonnaise and perfectly complements the other ingredients. Don’t skip it!
• Milk (Optional): Sometimes, if you prefer a thinner dressing consistency, a splash of milk can be added. However, in my experience, I have never felt this dressing needed it, as the pickle juice already provides a good thinning agent and plenty of flavor.
• Black Pepper: A generous crack of freshly ground black pepper adds a subtle warmth and aroma. You’ll notice that salt is not typically needed in this recipe, as both the Spam and the dill pickle juice contribute ample salinity to the dish.

For the Hearty Salad:

• Frozen Peas: These vibrant little gems add a touch of sweetness and a pleasant pop of texture. If you have access to fresh peas, they would certainly work just as wonderfully, simply blanch them quickly.
• Cucumber: Diced cucumber brings a refreshing coolness and a satisfying crunch to the salad. I personally enjoy leaving the skins on for extra texture and nutritional benefits, but you can certainly peel them if that’s your preference.
• Red Onion: Finely diced red onion provides a sharp, pungent kick that balances the creaminess of the dressing and the savory notes of the Spam. Adjust the amount to your taste; some prefer a milder onion flavor.
• Roma Tomato: Diced Roma tomatoes contribute a fresh, juicy element and a subtle acidity. Their firm flesh holds up well in the salad without becoming mushy.
• Spam: Diced into small, uniform cubes, Spam is our star ingredient, offering a unique savory, salty, and slightly chewy texture that makes this salad truly special.
• American Cheese (Optional): Some variations of this recipe include cubed American cheese for an extra layer of creaminess. While it can be a tasty addition, I personally never add it, as I find the salad perfectly delicious and rich enough without it. Feel free to experiment if you’re a cheese lover!
• Elbow Macaroni: The classic choice for pasta salad, elbow macaroni’s small, curved shape is ideal for catching and holding onto that delicious creamy dressing. Ensure it’s cooked al dente (to the tooth) to prevent it from becoming soggy, and always rinse it thoroughly in cold water after cooking to stop the cooking process and prevent sticking. Then, drain it well.

How to Make This Unforgettable Spam Pasta Salad: A Simple Guide

Making this incredibly flavorful Spam Pasta Salad is remarkably straightforward, requiring just a few simple steps. The key to its irresistible taste lies in allowing the flavors to meld together, so planning ahead is a bonus!

First, prepare your pasta: Boil the elbow macaroni according to package directions until it reaches a perfect al dente consistency. Immediately drain it, then rinse it thoroughly under cold water. This step is crucial for cooling the pasta, preventing it from overcooking, and removing excess starch, which helps keep the salad from becoming gummy. Once rinsed, drain it exceptionally well and transfer it to a large mixing bowl.

Next, craft your signature dressing: In a separate medium-sized bowl, prepare the creamy, tangy dressing by whisking together the mayonnaise, dill pickle juice, and black pepper until the mixture is smooth and thoroughly combined. Taste and adjust seasonings if necessary.

Once your dressing is ready, set it aside momentarily while you prepare the remaining salad components.

Assemble the salad: Add all of your freshly chopped vegetables – the frozen peas, diced cucumber, red onion, and Roma tomatoes – along with the perfectly diced Spam, directly to the large bowl with the cooled pasta. Give everything a good, gentle toss to evenly distribute these colorful and flavorful ingredients throughout the macaroni.

Finally, pour the prepared dressing over the pasta and vegetable mixture, and stir everything thoroughly until all the ingredients are beautifully coated in the creamy, tangy goodness. Ensure every piece of macaroni and every vegetable is glistening with the dressing.

While this salad is delicious immediately, for the absolute best flavor experience, I highly recommend making it at least a day ahead of time. This crucial chilling period allows all the incredible flavors to meld, deepen, and truly develop, transforming a good salad into an epic one. The pasta has time to absorb the dressing, and the dill pickle juice works its magic throughout the dish.

Once prepared, store the pasta salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will keep wonderfully for up to 5 days, making it an excellent make-ahead option for busy weeks or upcoming events.

Love This Recipe? Don’t Forget to Pin It!

Explore More Delicious Recipes You’ll Adore

LIKE THIS RECIPE?
Don’t forget to give it a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ star rating and
leave a comment below the recipe!

4.61 from 23 votes

Print Recipe

Pasta Salad

This is hands down one of the best salad recipes on my website. Pasta Salad made with elbow macaroni, fresh vegetables, baby peas, and Spam, topped with a dressing made of mayonnaise, dill pickle juice, and black pepper. It may sound too simple to be epic – but I promise that everyone will keep coming back for more!

Prep Time

5 minutes mins

Cook Time

12 minutes mins

Additional Time

8 hours hrs

Total Time

8 hours hrs 17 minutes mins

Cuisine:
American

Keyword:
cookout side dishes, dill pickle, Grandma’s recipe, macaroni, old fashioned, pasta salad, Spam

Servings:

15 servings

Calories:

245
kcal

Author:
Michaela Kenkel

Equipment

• Spam Classic, 12 Ounce Can
• Oggi Mixing Bowl, 4 Quart
• 12-Piece Black Sharp Knife Set with Covers, Cutting Board and Sharpener

Cook Mode

Prevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients

• 15 ounces of mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup dill pickle juice
• milk to thin sauce optional, I didn’t use it
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 8 ounces frozen peas about 1 cup
• 1 cucumber diced (about 1 1/2 cups)
• red onion chopped, to taste (about 1 cup)
• 2-3 Roma tomatoes diced
• 1 can Spam diced
• cubed American cheese optional, I didn’t use it
• 1 1 pound package of small elbow macaroni, cooked and drained

Instructions

• Whisk together mayo, pickle juice and black pepper. Set aside.
• Boil pasta until it’s al dente, rinse in cold water and put it in a large mixing bowl.
• Chop all of the veggies and Spam, cheese if you desire.
• Toss pasta and chopped ingredients in a large bowl, cover with dressing and stir to coat.
• Refrigerate for 8 hours before eating.

Notes

I don’t ever feel like I need the milk in the dressing and I typically don’t add the cheese.

This salad tastes its best when it sits for 8 hours before eating. Subbing ham for the Spam will change the taste considerably.

Nutrition

Serving:
1


|

Calories:
245
kcal

|

Carbohydrates:
8
g

|

Protein:
3
g

|

Fat:
23
g

|

Saturated Fat:
4
g

|

Polyunsaturated Fat:
18
g

|

Cholesterol:
16
mg

|

Sodium:
361
mg

|

Fiber:
1
g

|

Sugar:
3
g