by: Franchesca Livraghi | @breakthrukitchen

Ensalada de coditos is a favorite for my family, and it’s something we always enjoy when we get together. It’s something you’ll find at our dinner table year-round, whether we're gathered for casual barbecues and cookouts or festive celebrations. For us, this simple side dish at our celebrations, and no one makes it quite like my tía Wendy – her’s is next level!

Tía Wendy’s recipe is creamy and savory, and she adds lots of toppings that make every bite irresistible. From the crunchy vegetables like red onions, bell peppers, and celery, to the rich and salty tuna and hard-boiled egg, each ingredient adds its own special touch. But what really sets Tía Wendy's Ensalada de Coditos apart is how she chills it just right, allowing the flavors to meld while keeping it refreshingly cool.

This recipe draws inspiration from the countless times I've enjoyed her Ensalada de Coditos at holiday dinners during Semana Santa and Christmas. I add a twist by including Loisa’s Recaito to add incredible flavor to the macaroni salad, but even with this twist the recipe stays true to its roots: simple, classic, and utterly satisfying.

Loisa’s Recaito is the secret ingredient that elevates this Ensalada de Coditos to a new level! This Recaito is packed with fresh, vibrant flavors like cilantro, culantro, and garlic, which give the Ensalada de Coditos a delicious and fresh flavor. Adding in the Recaito makes this recipe super easy and straightforward. There's no need to spend extra time chopping herbs or mixing multiple seasonings – just mix the Recaito with a few basic spices. It's a foolproof way to achieve incredible flavor in this salad without any hassle or fuss.

In this recipe, Loisa’s Recaito is mixed with mayonnaise and a handful of spices like salt, ground pepper, and oregano to create the dressing. This flavor combination enhances all elements in this macaroni salad, from the veggies to the macaroni to the tuna!

Recipe Tips & Tricks

• When cooking the macaroni pasta, be sure to cook it just until al dente. Overcooking the pasta can result in a mushy texture, which may not be ideal for the salad. Aim for a firm, yet tender texture that holds its shape well when mixed with the other ingredients. I like to use Loisa’s skimmer to get all the macaroni noodles out of the pot!
• Allow the flavors to meld together by preparing the salad ahead of time. After mixing all the ingredients, refrigerate the Ensalada de Coditos for at least 3 hours, or overnight if possible. This gives the flavors enough time to blend together and results in a delicious final dish. A nice and cool macaroni salad hits so right during warm spring and summer days!
• *Tía Wendy's tip: For perfectly distributed flavors throughout the salad, start by mixing the creamy dressing with the diced vegetables before adding the cooked macaroni pasta. This ensures that every ingredient is evenly coated with the delicious dressing, allowing the flavors to mingle and harmonize for an irresistibly tasty outcome. Trust me, you may think you can skip this step but the order in which you combine the ingredients WILL change the creaminess of the end result!

Common Questions

Can I use different pasta shapes for Ensalada de Coditos?

When it comes to pasta shapes for Ensalada de Coditos, elbow macaroni (coditos) is the traditional choice but I have made this recipe with different shapes like shells, penne, or even rotini and it’s the same delicious salad!

How can I make Ensalada de Coditos vegetarian or vegan?

To make this recipe vegetarian, skip the tuna and opt for protein alternatives like chickpeas, white beans, or tofu. Load up on colorful veggies like tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, or green bell peppers, and add fresh herbs like parsley or basil for flavor. To make this recipe vegan, use your favorite vegan plant-based mayo mixed with Loisa Recaito, salt, pepper, and oregano for the dressing. Loisa's products are vegan, so you're good to go!

How long does Ensalada de Coditos last in the refrigerator?

When you store Ensalada de Coditos in an airtight container in the refrigerator, it typically stays fresh for around 3-4 days. Just remember to give it a good stir before serving, as the dressing might settle at the bottom. Feel free to add a little extra mayo if the Ensalada de Coditos dries out a bit in the fridge, it will get the consistency nice and creamy again!