Best 5 Cajun Macaroni Salad Recipes

Cajun macaroni salad is a delightful Southern dish that combines the classic flavors of macaroni salad with a spicy Cajun twist. Originating from the vibrant state of Louisiana, this dish is a harmonious blend of textures and flavors that will tantalize your taste buds. In this article, we'll delve into the world of Cajun macaroni salad, exploring two enticing recipes that showcase the best of this culinary creation.

The first recipe takes a traditional approach, using a mayonnaise-based dressing infused with Cajun spices. Expect a symphony of flavors as each forkful delivers a creamy texture, complemented by the zesty kick of Cajun seasoning. The second recipe offers a refreshing twist, featuring a tangy vinaigrette dressing that brings a lively balance to the richness of the macaroni. Both recipes promise an unforgettable culinary experience, perfect for potlucks, picnics, or as a delightful side dish for your next family gathering.

Here are our top 5 tried and tested recipes!

CAJUN MACARONI SALAD

Cajun Macaroni Salad image

A spicy Cajun twist on classic macaroni salad, this Creole pasta salad is perfect for summer BBQ's and potlucks.

Provided by Kelly Wildenhaus

Categories Side Dish

Time 30m

Number Of Ingredients 16

Ingredients

1 pound elbow macaroni
1 tablespoon olive oil
½ sweet onion, minced (like Vidalia)
4 ribs celery, small dice
2 hard boiled eggs, small dice
2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning (preferably no salt blend)
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon freshly, cracked black pepper
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper, OPTIONAL (if you want a little more heat!)
1½ cups good quality mayonnaise (I like Duke's Mayo for this, it's a Southern thing!)
3 tablespoons Creole mustard (can use any whole grain mustard, or yellow mustard)
3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
½ lemon, juiced
1 teaspoon hot sauce (preferably Louisiana-style like Crystal or Tabasco)
Kosher salt and freshly, cracked black pepper
Chopped fresh parsley, sliced hard boiled egg, for garnish. (Totally optional but it looks pretty!)

Steps:

Bring a pot of water to boil and season generously with salt. Cook macaroni according to package instructions. Drain, rinse with cold water, repeat and transfer to large bowl. Toss with olive oil and set aside.
Meanwhile, combine remaining ingredients in another bowl. Use a whisk to combine all remaining ingredients except celery, onion and egg. Add 2 teaspoons salt and 2 tablespoons of water to start, up to ¼ cup water. When combined, stir in celery, onion and egg. The sauce should be on the thinner side, not too thick.
Taste sauce for seasoning and adjust salt, pepper and hot sauce to taste. Add to cooked elbows and toss to combine. Serve immediately with fresh parsley and/or hard boiled egg slices, or refrigerate until serving, adding a little water to loosen up and make shiny again if needed.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 440 kcal, Carbohydrate 37 g, Protein 8 g, Fat 29 g, SaturatedFat 5 g, TransFat 1 g, Cholesterol 51 mg, Sodium 304 mg, Fiber 2 g, Sugar 3 g, UnsaturatedFat 23 g, ServingSize 1 serving

CAJUN MACARONI SALAD

Cajun Macaroni Salad image

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories side-dish

Time 40m

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

Ingredients

1 small red onion, finely chopped
Kosher salt
8 ounces elbow macaroni
1/4 cup milk
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons Creole mustard
1/2 cup chopped pickled okra or pickled green beans, plus 1/4 cup brine
1 teaspoon sugar
1 to 2 teaspoons hot sauce
2 bell peppers (1 red, 1 yellow), chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped, plus 1/2 cup chopped leaves
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

Steps:

Soak the red onion in a bowl of ice water for 15 minutes; drain and pat dry. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the macaroni and cook as the label directs. Drain, transfer to a bowl and toss with 3 tablespoons milk. Let cool.
Whisk the mayonnaise, sour cream, mustard, pickle brine, sugar, hot sauce, remaining 1 tablespoon milk and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a large bowl. Add the macaroni, red onion, bell peppers, celery, celery leaves and parsley; toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours. Stir again before serving; season with salt.

CAJUN PASTA SALAD

Cajun Pasta Salad image

Make and share this Cajun Pasta Salad recipe from Food.com.

Provided by Bev I Am

Categories Pork

Time 15m

Yield 6-12 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 19

Ingredients

1 lb elbow macaroni
1 lb smoked sausage, sliced and sauteed
1/2 cup red pepper
2 bell peppers, diced
1 tablespoon garlic, pureed
2 stalks celery, diced
1/2 white onion, diced
2 bay leaves
1 tablespoon creole mustard
1/4 cup white vinegar
3/4 cup salad oil
1/4 cup parsley
1 tablespoon salt
1 tablespoon white pepper
1 tablespoon black pepper
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon paprika
1 tablespoon thyme

Steps:

Cook the pasta in gently boiling water until al dente.
Remove from heat, drain, rinse and cool.
Combine all ingredients in a large bowl, using only 2 TBS of Toulous Seasoning.
The dish is best served at room temperature; however, chill thoroughly if preparing ahead of time and allow to stand one hour before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 855.9, Fat 52.8, SaturatedFat 12.7, Cholesterol 51.6, Sodium 2349.6, Carbohydrate 66.8, Fiber 5.2, Sugar 4.2, Protein 28.3

CAJUN MACARONI

Cajun Macaroni image

"When I follow my favorite meat loaf recipe, I end up with an extra half pound of ground beef," relates June Ellis. "So I came up with this easy dish to use it up." The Erie, Illinois cook brings this fast family-pleaser to the dinner table at a savvy 76 cents a plate.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Dinner

Time 35m

Yield 4 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 9

Ingredients

1/2 pound ground beef
1/3 cup chopped onion
1/3 cup chopped green pepper
1/3 cup chopped celery
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
1-1/2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
1 package (7-1/4 ounces) macaroni and cheese dinner mix
2 tablespoons milk
1 tablespoon butter

Steps:

In a large saucepan, cook the beef, onion, green pepper and celery over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Add tomatoes and Cajun seasoning. Cook, uncovered, for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally., Meanwhile, prepare macaroni and cheese according to package directions, using 2 tablespoons milk and 1 tablespoon butter. Stir in beef mixture; cook for 2-3 minutes or until heated through.

Nutrition Facts :

CAJUN MACARONI SALAD

Cajun Macaroni Salad image

This is our family's favorite ever. It started originally with a Justin Wilson recipe that we've modified over the years. It has just the right amount of zing - not your mama's macaroni salad!

Provided by hotdishmama

Categories Cajun

Time 30m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 12

Ingredients

2 cups dry elbow macaroni
1/2 cup diced red onion
1/2 cup sliced green olives
1/4 cup diced celery
1/4 cup diced red bell pepper
1/2 lb cooked peeled shrimp (optional)
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/8 cup olive oil
1/2 tablespoon Tabasco sauce
1/2 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

Steps:

Cook macaroni according to package directions and rinse with cold water, drain well. While pasta is cooking, mix dressing. Toss together and serve. Even better the next day!

Tips:

Use high-quality ingredients for the best flavor. Look for fresh vegetables, flavorful cheese, and a good quality mayonnaise.
Don't overcook the macaroni. Cook it al dente so that it still has a slight bite to it.
Chill the salad for at least an hour before serving. This will allow the flavors to meld and the salad to become more flavorful.
Serve the salad with a variety of toppings. Some popular options include crumbled bacon, sliced green onions, and chopped hard-boiled eggs.
For a spicier salad, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a teaspoon of Sriracha sauce.
If you don't have any celery on hand, you can substitute chopped red onion or bell pepper.
For a vegetarian version of the salad, omit the ham and use black beans or chickpeas instead.

Conclusion:

Cajun macaroni salad is a versatile dish that can be tailored to your own taste preferences. It's a great side dish for any summer gathering or potluck, and it's also a delicious and easy meal to pack for lunch. With its bold flavors and creamy texture, Cajun macaroni salad is sure to be a hit!

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