Best 4 Easy Macaroni Salad Everybody Loves Recipes

Macaroni salad is a delightful dish enjoyed by people of all ages. It's a versatile side dish that can be served at potlucks, picnics, barbecues, or as a quick and easy meal. This macaroni salad recipe is incredibly flavorful, with a creamy dressing made from mayonnaise, mustard, vinegar, and a hint of sweetness from sugar. The addition of crunchy celery, crisp red onion, and subtly sharp cheddar cheese creates a delightful textural contrast. This recipe also includes variations for those who prefer a tangy dressing or a healthier option with Greek yogurt. Additionally, there are suggestions for adding other ingredients like ham, bacon, or vegetables to customize the salad to your liking. With its ease of preparation and customizable flavor profile, this macaroni salad is sure to be a crowd-pleaser at any gathering.

Here are our top 4 tried and tested recipes!

SIMPLE MACARONI SALAD

Simple Macaroni Salad image

An easy mac salad that is excellent for parties, picnics and those summer day barbeques.

Provided by Samantha

Categories Salad 100+ Pasta Salad Recipes Macaroni Salad Recipes

Time 2h30m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 8

Ingredients

1 (16 ounce) package macaroni
2 red bell peppers, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
½ cup chopped green onions
1 stalk celery, chopped
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup mayonnaise
1 packet dry vegetable soup mix

Steps:

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, or until al dente. Drain, and rinse with cold water until no longer hot. Transfer noodles to a large bowl.
Stir in red bell peppers, green bell peppers, green onions, celery and olive oil. Mix in mayonnaise and soup mix. Refrigerate for a few hours before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 435.7 calories, Carbohydrate 45.8 g, Cholesterol 10.4 mg, Fat 24.5 g, Fiber 2.9 g, Protein 8.1 g, SaturatedFat 3.7 g, Sodium 179.7 mg, Sugar 4.3 g

EASY MACARONI SALAD

Easy Macaroni Salad image

This hearty pasta salad is sure to please appetites of all ages-and it serves a lot of folks! -LaVerna Mjones, Moorhead, Minnesota

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Lunch Side Dishes

Time 15m

Yield 34 (1-cup) servings.

Number Of Ingredients 9

Ingredients

2 pounds uncooked elbow macaroni
12 hard-boiled large eggs, chopped
2-1/2 pounds fully cooked ham, cubed
1 package (16 ounces) frozen peas, thawed
3 cups sliced celery
1 large green pepper, chopped
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 jar (4 ounces) diced pimientos, drained
4 cups mayonnaise

Steps:

Cook macaroni according to package directions. Rinse in cold water; drain and cool completely. , Place in a large bowl; stir in remaining ingredients. Cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 380 calories, Fat 26g fat (4g saturated fat), Cholesterol 102mg cholesterol, Sodium 615mg sodium, Carbohydrate 23g carbohydrate (2g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 13g protein.

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

Ingredients

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

EASY MACARONI SALAD EVERYBODY LOVES

Easy Macaroni Salad Everybody Loves image

Macaroni Salad that will --never-- last long enough to throw out...it all, always gets eaten...or taken home by friends or relatives...always requested at all functions...even Thanksgiving! They make me make it...even though I try to tell everyone it's better for bbq's! :)) So easy to make, 3 steps...you stir in 3 things, dump in the next 3 things, and cut up the last 3 things...you'll never forget what you need at the store...think in 3's...:) I never measure...add ingredients to taste...more or less mayo & mustard, celery salt, relish, celery or onions...I don't add regular salt, or pepper, until I eat it, and let everyone add it to their own liking. I really think the celery salt is what makes it so tasty...:)

Provided by lil sis

Categories < 60 Mins

Time 40m

Yield 1 1/2 lbs, 10-12 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 10

Ingredients

1 (16 ounce) package salad macaroni, cooked al dente (if you use a 2 pound bag salad macaroni, it doubles easily)
1 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup mustard
1 tablespoon celery salt
3/4 cup sweet pickle relish
1 (2 ounce) jar pimientos
1 (2 1/4 ounce) can olives, wedges
3 -4 stalks celery
3 -4 green onions
6 hard-boiled eggs

Steps:

Cool the macaroni in cold water, let drain for a few minutes.
(1.) Stir in the mayonaise, mustard, and celery salt.
(2.) Dump in the relish, undrained pimentos, & drained olives, stir.
(3.) Cut up the celery & onions, stir them into the salad.
Last, cut up the eggs, add them to the salad.
If you can make this 4-8 hours ahead, or the day before, it 'settles' the flavors together deliciously!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 260.4, Fat 5.2, SaturatedFat 1.2, Cholesterol 111.9, Sodium 391, Carbohydrate 42.9, Fiber 2.7, Sugar 7.5, Protein 10.6

Tips:

Use high-quality macaroni. The type of macaroni you use will make a big difference in the final dish. Look for high-quality macaroni that is made with durum wheat and has a firm texture.
Cook the macaroni al dente. Don't overcook the macaroni, or it will become mushy. Cook it al dente, so that it still has a slight bite to it.
Use a variety of vegetables. The more vegetables you add to your macaroni salad, the more flavorful it will be. Some good options include celery, carrots, bell peppers, onions, and cucumbers.
Use a tangy dressing. A tangy dressing will help to balance out the richness of the mayonnaise. Some good options include a vinaigrette dressing, a lemon-herb dressing, or a yogurt-based dressing.
Don't skimp on the cheese. Cheese is an essential ingredient in macaroni salad. Use a good quality cheese that will melt well, such as cheddar, Swiss, or mozzarella.
Chill the salad before serving. Macaroni salad is best when it is served cold. Chill it for at least an hour before serving, or even overnight.

Conclusion:

Macaroni salad is a classic dish that is perfect for any occasion. It is easy to make, and it can be customized to suit your own taste. With a few simple tips, you can make the best macaroni salad that everyone will love.