Best 6 Creamy Italian Macaroni Salad Recipes

Macaroni salad, a classic side dish enjoyed at potlucks, barbecues, and picnics, is a versatile dish that can be customized to suit various tastes. Our creamy Italian macaroni salad recipe adds a delightful twist to this traditional dish with a creamy dressing made from mayonnaise, sour cream, and Parmesan cheese. This rich and flavorful dressing coats tender macaroni noodles, crisp celery, sweet red onion, and colorful bell peppers.

For those seeking a lighter option, we also offer a tangy vinegar-based macaroni salad recipe. This version features a zesty dressing made from red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, and fresh herbs, providing a refreshing contrast to the cooked macaroni and crisp vegetables.

If you're looking for a macaroni salad with a smoky and savory flavor, our bacon ranch macaroni salad is sure to impress. This recipe combines crispy bacon, creamy ranch dressing, and tender macaroni noodles, resulting in a dish that is both indulgent and satisfying.

Additionally, our classic macaroni salad recipe provides a timeless and straightforward approach to this beloved dish. With its simple ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions, this recipe is perfect for beginners or those seeking a no-fuss macaroni salad.

No matter your preference, our collection of macaroni salad recipes offers something for everyone. From creamy and indulgent to tangy and refreshing, these recipes are sure to elevate your next gathering or meal.

Let's cook with our recipes!

MACARONI SALAD

Macaroni Salad image

Macaroni Salad is quick to throw together and so DELICIOUS! A versatile, fool-proof pasta salad with an incredible creamy dressing perfect to take to gatherings, Bbq's, lunches and dinners. Or serve as a popular side dish!

Provided by Karina

Categories Salad

Time 25m

Number Of Ingredients 16

Ingredients

8 oz (250g) dry macaroni pasta
1/2 medium red bell pepper (capsicum), (seeded and finely chopped)
1/2 medium red onion, (finely diced)
1 small carrot, (peeled and shredded)
2 dill pickles, (finely chopped)
1/4 cup chopped celery
1 cup mayonnaise, ((S&W, Best Foods, Hellmann's, Japanese or any whole egg mayo))
1/4 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons white vinegar, ((adjust to taste))
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, (chopped)
1 tablespoon fresh chives
1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper

Steps:

Bring large pot of salted water to the boil over high heat. Add the pasta and boil until al dente (just fork-tender), or follow packet directions.
While pasta is boiling, prepare/chop SALAD ingredients and add them to a large serving bowl.
Mix DRESSING ingredients together in a small bowl.
Once pasta is cooked, drain and rinse under cool running water. Drain well and add to the rest of the SALAD ingredients in the large serving bowl.
Pour over DRESSING and toss well to evenly combine. Adjust salt, pepper and vinegar to taste.
Set aside for at least 15 minutes to let the ingredients warm close to room temperature and settle into each other before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 403 kcal, Carbohydrate 34 g, Protein 6 g, Fat 27 g, SaturatedFat 4 g, Fiber 2 g, Sugar 4 g, ServingSize 1 serving

CREAMY MACARONI SALAD

Creamy Macaroni Salad image

I have looked all over for a great macaroni salad; this one is it! It's easy and is a huge hit at every function I take it to. The sauce for this is a great creamy sauce. I like my salads to have a lot of creamy dressing, so I always make an extra half batch of the wet mix and add it as necessary to get the salad more wet because the pasta soaks up the sauce.

Provided by Mandy Franke

Categories Salad 100+ Pasta Salad Recipes Macaroni Salad Recipes

Time 35m

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 17

Ingredients

1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon dry mustard powder
¾ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon onion powder
¼ teaspoon ground white pepper
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
3 cups elbow macaroni
1 ½ cups mayonnaise
½ cup sour cream
1 (5 ounce) can evaporated milk
½ cup finely chopped onion
3 tablespoons finely chopped green bell pepper
3 tablespoons finely chopped red bell pepper
2 tablespoons finely chopped yellow bell pepper
½ cup finely chopped celery
½ cup finely chopped carrots

Steps:

Mix salt, dry mustard, garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, white pepper, and black pepper in a small bowl.
Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until cooked through but firm to the bite, 8 minutes. Drain and rinse macaroni under cold water until cooled.
Whisk mayonnaise, sour cream, and evaporated milk in a large salad bowl until dressing is smooth and creamy; stir in seasoning mix until well blended. Mix macaroni, onion, green, red, and yellow bell pepper, celery, and carrots into the dressing until thoroughly coated.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 341 calories, Carbohydrate 24 g, Cholesterol 18 mg, Fat 25.3 g, Fiber 1.4 g, Protein 5.1 g, SaturatedFat 5.1 g, Sodium 377.4 mg, Sugar 3.1 g

CREAMY ITALIAN MACARONI SALAD

Creamy Italian Macaroni Salad image

Make and share this Creamy Italian Macaroni Salad recipe from Food.com.

Provided by Chef mariajane

Categories < 15 Mins

Time 15m

Yield 8-10 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 12

Ingredients

8 cups fusilli, cooked and cooled
1 1/2 cups chopped green peppers
1 large onion, chopped
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 large carrots, shredded
2 celery ribs, chopped
3/4 cup French dressing
3/4 cup golden Italian dressing
1/2 cup Miracle Whip
6 cherry tomatoes, chopped

Steps:

Combine fusilli, pepper, onion, carrots and celery in a large bowl.
Mix together sugar, salt, pepper, French dressing, Golden Italian dressing and Miracle whip.
Pour over pasta mix, and combine well.
Refrigerate until ready to use.
Put chopped cherries on top just before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 239, Fat 19.9, SaturatedFat 2.8, Cholesterol 4.2, Sodium 865, Carbohydrate 15.5, Fiber 1.7, Sugar 11.6, Protein 1.2

CREAMY ITALIAN PASTA SALAD

Creamy Italian Pasta Salad image

Toss a zesty Italian yogurt dressing with tomatoes, zucchini and pasta for a colorful and delicious salad.

Provided by By Betty Crocker Kitchens

Categories Lunch

Time 20m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 9

Ingredients

1 package (7 oz) elbow or other macaroni (about 2 cups)
2 cups Yoplait® Fat Free plain yogurt (from 2-lb container)
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
3/4 teaspoon garlic salt
1 medium onion, finely chopped (1/2 cup)
1/2 cup sliced ripe olives
2 medium tomatoes, cut into 1/4-inch slices (1 1/2 cups)
1 medium zucchini, cut into 1/4-inch slices (2 cups)

Steps:

Cook, drain and rinse macaroni as directed on package.
In large bowl, mix yogurt, cheese, Italian seasoning, garlic salt and onion. Stir in macaroni. Add remaining ingredients; toss. Cover and refrigerate any remaining salad.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 250, Carbohydrate 40 g, Cholesterol 5 mg, Fat 1/2, Fiber 3 g, Protein 13 g, SaturatedFat 1 1/2 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 510 mg, Sugar 9 g, TransFat 0 g

CREAMY ITALIAN SPIRAL SALAD

Creamy Italian Spiral Salad image

I have accumulated some delicious recipes that serve large numbers, like this colorful and delicious pasta salad. The flavors blend so well, and there's plenty of creamy dressing. -Marlene Muckenhirn Delano, Minnesota

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Lunch Side Dishes

Time 30m

Yield 30 servings (3/4 cup each).

Number Of Ingredients 10

Ingredients

2 packages (16 ounces each) multicolored spiral pasta
1 medium bunch broccoli, cut into florets
1 medium head cauliflower, cut into florets
2 cups frozen peas and carrots
2 cups cherry tomatoes, quartered
1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
6 green onions, chopped
1/2 cup chopped green pepper
1 can (2-1/4 ounces) sliced ripe olives, drained
2 bottles (16 ounces each) creamy Italian salad dressing

Steps:

Cook pasta according to package directions; drain and rinse in cold water. , In a large bowl, combine the pasta, broccoli, cauliflower, peas and carrots, tomatoes, cheese, onions, green pepper and olives. Add the dressing; mix well. Cover and refrigerate for 2-3 hours or until chilled.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 147 calories, Fat 7g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 2mg cholesterol, Sodium 218mg sodium, Carbohydrate 17g carbohydrate (4g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 4g protein.

CREAMY ITALIAN PASTA SALAD

Creamy Italian Pasta Salad image

If you like simple pasta salads you should try this. I love this in the summer but you could have this any time. I didn't see any other recipes like this that used both dressings so I thought I'd share mine. They really do go well together. This is pretty versatile and you can add any veggies that you'd like.

Provided by MTpockets

Categories < 30 Mins

Time 25m

Yield 8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 7

Ingredients

1 (12 ounce) package tri-color spiral pasta (or pasta of your choice)
1 cup Italian salad dressing (I like good seasons)
1 cup caesar salad dressing
1 cup grated parmesan cheese
1 medium tomatoes, seeded and diced
1 medium cucumber, peeled and diced
1 green bell peppers or 1 red bell pepper, seeded and diced

Steps:

Cook pasta as directed, rinse with cold water and drain well.
In a large bowl, combine rest of ingredients and toss to coat.
Add pasta and toss to coat.
Chill at least 2 hours before serving.
*** If pasta "absorbs" the dressing, you may need to add a little more dressing after chill time before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 468.6, Fat 29.6, SaturatedFat 6.2, Cholesterol 22.5, Sodium 849.8, Carbohydrate 39.1, Fiber 2.1, Sugar 5.9, Protein 11.6

Tips:

Use good quality pasta. A high-quality pasta will hold its shape better and not get mushy when cooked. Look for pasta made with durum wheat, which is a harder wheat that produces a more al dente pasta.
Cook the pasta al dente. This means cooking the pasta until it is just tender, but still has a slight bite to it. Al dente pasta will hold its shape better in the salad and not get mushy.
Use a variety of vegetables. This will add color, flavor, and texture to the salad. Some good options include tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, celery, and carrots.
Use a good quality dressing. The dressing is what will bring all the flavors of the salad together. Use a dressing that is creamy, flavorful, and slightly tangy. A good option is a mayonnaise-based dressing with a touch of vinegar or lemon juice.
Chill the salad before serving. This will help the flavors to meld and the salad to become more refreshing.

Conclusion:

Creamy Italian macaroni salad is a delicious and versatile dish that can be served as a main course or a side dish. It is perfect for potlucks, picnics, and summer gatherings. With a few simple tips, you can make a creamy Italian macaroni salad that is sure to impress your friends and family.