Best 5 Award Winning Macaroni Salad Recipes

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Indulge in a symphony of flavors with our collection of award-winning macaroni salad recipes! From classic and traditional to unique and innovative, our curated selection promises to tantalize your taste buds and leave you craving for more.

Embark on a culinary journey as we present the "Classic Macaroni Salad," a timeless recipe that captures the essence of this beloved dish. Perfectly cooked macaroni, crisp vegetables, and a creamy, tangy dressing come together in perfect harmony.

For those seeking a zesty twist, the "Southwestern Macaroni Salad" is a delightful fusion of flavors. Corn, black beans, and a spicy dressing infused with chipotle peppers add a vibrant kick to this vibrant salad.

Health enthusiasts will adore the "Mediterranean Macaroni Salad," brimming with fresh vegetables, feta cheese, and a lemony vinaigrette dressing. This salad offers a delightful balance of flavors and nutrients.

If you're craving a touch of smokiness, the "Smoked Macaroni Salad" is a must-try. Smoked paprika and bacon bits infuse a delightful smoky aroma and flavor into this classic dish.

Last but not least, the "Caprese Macaroni Salad" is a delightful combination of fresh mozzarella, juicy tomatoes, and aromatic basil. Drizzled with a balsamic glaze, this salad is a celebration of Italian flavors.

With our meticulously crafted recipes, you're guaranteed to find the perfect macaroni salad to suit your preferences. Whether you're hosting a backyard barbecue, a summer picnic, or simply seeking a refreshing side dish, these award-winning creations will surely impress your palate.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

AMERICAN MACARONI SALAD



American Macaroni Salad image

Bring this classic American Macaroni Salad recipe from Food Network Kitchen to your next picnic � it's perfect for an outdoor barbecue spread.

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories     side-dish

Time 30m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

2 cups dry elbow macaroni, cooked, rinsed, and drained
1/3 cup diced celery
1/4 cup minced red onion, soaked in cold water for 5 minutes, drained
1 tablespoon minced flat-leaf parsley
1/2 cup diced vine-ripened tomato (optional)
1/2 cup prepared mayonnaise
3/4 teaspoon dry mustard
1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons cider vinegar
3 tablespoons sour cream
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
Freshly ground black pepper

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, combine the macaroni, celery, onion, parsley and tomato, if using. In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, mustard, sugar, vinegar, sour cream and salt. Pour the dressing over the salad and stir to combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve. Store covered in the refrigerator, for up to 3 days.

THE BEST MACARONI SALAD YOU WILL EVER HAVE!!



The BEST Macaroni Salad You Will EVER Have!! image

This macaroni salad has been in my family for generations. and I have never had anyone say they don't love it! I have friends who constantly ask me for the recipe, yet I have never given it out....until now. This salad is the BEST macaroni salad in the world, you just gotta try it to believe me! Please rate if you like it! I love to serve this with hamburgers or bratwurst on a summer day! This goes very well at any party and even at Thanksgiving!

Provided by nyghtspydr

Categories     Salad     Seafood Salad Recipes     Tuna Salad Recipes

Time 2h30m

Yield 14

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 (16 ounce) package elbow macaroni
1 (12 ounce) can tuna in water, drained and flaked
6 hard-cooked eggs, chopped
2 large tomatoes, finely chopped
1 large white onion, finely chopped
1 cucumber, finely chopped
3 cups creamy salad dressing (such as Miracle Whip®)
½ cup 2% milk
¼ cup white sugar, or to taste
3 tablespoons prepared yellow mustard
1 ½ tablespoons ground black pepper, or to taste
½ tablespoon salt, or to taste

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni in the boiling water until cooked through but firm to the bite, 8 minutes; drain. Rinse with cold water to cool completely; drain.
  • Mix macaroni, tuna, eggs, tomatoes, onion, and cucumber in a large mixing bowl.
  • Whisk salad dressing and milk together in a separate bowl until smooth. Beat sugar, mustard, pepper, and salt into the dressing mixture; pour over the macaroni mixture and stir to coat.
  • Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 2 hours.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 367.3 calories, Carbohydrate 38.1 g, Cholesterol 115.9 mg, Fat 17.1 g, Fiber 1.9 g, Protein 13.9 g, SaturatedFat 2.7 g, Sodium 761.6 mg, Sugar 13.3 g

CLASSIC MACARONI SALAD



Classic Macaroni Salad image

This classic macaroni salad recipe is a refreshingly light take on an all-time favorite. It's perfect for a fast weeknight dinner or festive weekend barbecue. -Dorothy Bayes, Sardis, Ohio

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch     Side Dishes

Time 30m

Yield 8 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 12

2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
1 cup fat-free mayonnaise
2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish
2 teaspoons sugar
3/4 teaspoon ground mustard
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1/2 cup chopped celery
1/3 cup chopped carrot
1/4 cup chopped onion
1 hard-boiled large egg, chopped
Dash paprika

Steps:

  • Cook macaroni according to package directions; drain and rinse with cold water. Cool completely. , For dressing, in a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, pickle relish, sugar substitute, mustard, salt and pepper. In a large bowl, combine the macaroni, celery, carrot and onion. Add dressing and toss gently to coat. , Refrigerate until serving. Garnish with egg and paprika.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 115 calories, Fat 2g fat (0 saturated fat), Cholesterol 27mg cholesterol, Sodium 362mg sodium, Carbohydrate 21g carbohydrate (6g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 4g protein. Diabetic Exchanges

CLASSIC MACARONI SALAD



Classic Macaroni Salad image

This is a salad that everyone seems to love. I always get lots of compliments on this recipe and it is just a pleasing taste that seems to suit everyone.

Provided by Graden

Categories     Salad     Pasta Salad     Vegetarian Pasta Salad Recipes

Time 4h30m

Yield 10

Number Of Ingredients 12

4 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
1 cup mayonnaise
¼ cup distilled white vinegar
⅔ cup white sugar
2 ½ tablespoons prepared yellow mustard
1 ½ teaspoons salt
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
1 large onion, chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
1 green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
¼ cup grated carrot
2 tablespoons chopped pimento peppers

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the macaroni, and cook until tender, about 8 minutes. Rinse under cold water and drain.
  • In a large bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, mustard, salt and pepper. Stir in the onion, celery, green pepper, carrot, pimentos and macaroni. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours before serving, but preferably overnight.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 390 calories, Carbohydrate 49.3 g, Cholesterol 8.4 mg, Fat 18.7 g, Fiber 2.8 g, Protein 6.8 g, SaturatedFat 2.8 g, Sodium 528.6 mg, Sugar 15.5 g

CONTEST-WINNING PICNIC PASTA SALAD



Contest-Winning Picnic Pasta Salad image

My family's not big on traditional pasta salads made with mayonnaise, so when I served this colorful version that uses Italian dressing, it was a big hit. This crowd-pleaser is loaded with vegetables, beans and tricolor pasta. It's one of the best picnic salad ideas! -Felicia Fiocchi, Vineland, New Jersey

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch     Side Dishes

Time 25m

Yield 16 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 package (12 ounces) tricolor spiral pasta
1 package (10 ounces) refrigerated tricolor tortellini
1 jar (7-1/2 ounces) marinated artichoke hearts, undrained
1/2 pound fresh broccoli florets (about 1-3/4 cups)
12 ounces provolone cheese, cubed
12 ounces hard salami, cubed
1 medium sweet red pepper, chopped
1 medium green pepper, chopped
1 can (15 ounces) garbanzo beans or chickpeas, rinsed and drained
2 cans (2-1/4 ounces each) sliced ripe olives, drained
1 medium red onion, chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 envelopes Italian salad dressing mix

Steps:

  • Cook spiral pasta and tortellini according to package directions. Drain and rinse in cold water. Place in a large bowl; add the artichokes, broccoli, provolone cheese, salami, peppers, beans, olives, onion and garlic. , Prepare salad dressing according to package directions; pour over salad and toss to coat. Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 411 calories, Fat 23g fat (8g saturated fat), Cholesterol 43mg cholesterol, Sodium 1156mg sodium, Carbohydrate 33g carbohydrate (4g sugars, Fiber 4g fiber), Protein 18g protein.

Tips:

  • Use high-quality ingredients: Fresh, flavorful ingredients will make a big difference in the taste of your macaroni salad. Use the best mayonnaise, mustard, and vinegar you can find, and be generous with the seasonings.
  • Cook the macaroni al dente: The macaroni should be cooked until it is just tender, but still has a slight bite to it. This will prevent it from becoming mushy in the salad.
  • Cool the macaroni before assembling the salad: This will help to prevent the salad from becoming watery.
  • Add the dressing to the macaroni while it is still warm: This will help the dressing to evenly coat the macaroni and prevent it from clumping together.
  • Let the salad chill for at least 30 minutes before serving: This will allow the flavors to meld and develop.
  • Garnish the salad with your favorite toppings: Some popular options include chopped hard-boiled eggs, celery, onion, and parsley.

Conclusion:

Macaroni salad is a classic side dish that is perfect for potlucks, picnics, and barbecues. It is easy to make and can be customized to your liking. With a few simple tips, you can make a macaroni salad that will be the star of the show. So next time you are looking for a delicious and refreshing side dish, give this award-winning macaroni salad recipe a try!

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