Best 4 Good N Easy Macaroni Salad Recipes

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Macaroni salad is a classic summer side dish that is enjoyed by people of all ages. It is a versatile dish that can be made with a variety of ingredients, including macaroni, mayonnaise, celery, onion, and hard-boiled eggs. There are many different recipes for macaroni salad, but they all share some common features. For example, most macaroni salads are made with cooked macaroni, mayonnaise, and some type of crunchy vegetable, such as celery or onion. Some recipes also include other ingredients, such as hard-boiled eggs, cheese, or cooked chicken. Macaroni salad is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for potlucks, picnics, and barbecues. It can also be served as a main course or a side dish. This article provides three different recipes for macaroni salad: a classic macaroni salad, a bacon ranch macaroni salad, and a Greek macaroni salad. Each recipe is easy to follow and can be made with ingredients that are readily available at most grocery stores. So, whether you are looking for a classic macaroni salad recipe or something a little different, you are sure to find a recipe in this article that you will enjoy.

Here are our top 4 tried and tested recipes!

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

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

Creamy dishes like Alex's macaroni salad are a perfect match for fresh dill. "I love dill with mayonnaise," she says. "It's grassy and light."

Provided by Alex Guarnaschelli

Categories     side-dish

Time 45m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

3/4 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
2 teaspoons soy sauce
1 teaspoon hot sauce (such as Tabasco)
1 small red onion, diced, soaked in ice water at least 1 hour and up to 12 hours
1 large red bell pepper, diced
3 scallions (green parts only), thinly sliced
Kosher salt
12 ounces elbow macaroni
1 sprig dill, leaves finely chopped
4 sprigs basil, leaves torn

Steps:

  • Make the dressing: In a large bowl, whisk the mayonnaise, mustard, vinegar, soy sauce and hot sauce until smooth. Drain and dry the red onion and stir it into the dressing along with the bell pepper, scallions and a generous pinch of salt.
  • Make the pasta: In a large pot, bring 4 quarts of water to a rolling boil. Add a generous amount of salt. Add the pasta and cook, stirring from time to time, until al dente (chewy but not hard or raw tasting), 6 to 10 minutes. Drain; do not rinse the pasta. Spread it out on a large baking sheet to cool slightly, 5 to 10 minutes.
  • While the pasta is still warm, add it to the bowl with the dressing and let sit at room temperature, 10 to 15 minutes. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. Stir in the dill and basil just before serving and taste for seasoning.

GOOD 'N EASY MACARONI SALAD



Good 'n Easy Macaroni Salad image

This is a recipe I found while searching for Pacific Island Recipes for ZWT. This is almost exactly the same as the one my Mother made, but she didn't add the carrot. This was found at AlohaWorld.com under Island favorites.

Provided by diner524

Categories     Onions

Time 30m

Yield 8-10 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 7

16 ounces macaroni
5 ounces tuna, drained (I use solid white in water and can use more to make it a main course)
1 -1 1/2 cup mayonnaise, to taste
1 medium onion (peeled and finely diced)
1 carrot (peeled and shredded or grated)
salt & pepper
1 -2 stalk celery (chopped)

Steps:

  • Follow the directions for cooking the macaroni on the package. Drain pasta and rinse with cold water.
  • While the pasta is cooking, cut up the onions, celery and carrot.
  • In a large bowl, add pasta, tuna and vegetables and add one cup of mayonnaise, adding more if needed. Season the salad with salt and pepper to taste. Cover bowl and place in the refrigerator until completely chilled. The longer it is refrigerated the more the flavors will marry.

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

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

Tips:

  • Use high-quality mayonnaise. This is the base of the salad, so make sure it's good stuff.
  • Use a variety of pasta shapes. This will give the salad a more interesting texture.
  • Don't overcook the pasta. It should be al dente, or slightly firm to the bite.
  • Let the pasta cool completely before adding the other ingredients. This will prevent the salad from becoming watery.
  • Add the vegetables and dressing just before serving. This will keep the salad fresh and prevent the vegetables from becoming limp.
  • Serve the salad chilled. This is a refreshing side dish for a summer cookout or picnic.

Conclusion:

Macaroni salad is a classic summer side dish that is easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser. With a few simple ingredients and a little bit of time, you can create a delicious macaroni salad that will be the hit of your next party or potluck. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy side dish, give this macaroni salad recipe a try. You won't be disappointed!

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