Best 2 Hearty Macaroni Salad Recipes

Looking for a hearty and comforting dish that's perfect for summer gatherings, picnics, or potlucks? Our macaroni salad, a classic American side dish, is a delicious combination of cooked macaroni, mayonnaise, and a variety of other ingredients that come together to create a flavorful and satisfying meal.

This hearty macaroni salad is not your average, everyday macaroni salad. It’s bursting with bold flavors and textures, thanks to the addition of cooked bacon, sweet corn, red onion, bell pepper, and a celery-parsley crunch. It’s the perfect dish for your next barbecue or picnic.

And if you're looking for a vegetarian version, we've got you covered too. Our vegetarian macaroni salad swaps out the bacon for roasted red peppers, sun-dried tomatoes, and artichoke hearts, creating a vibrant and flavorful dish that's sure to be a hit.

Both of our macaroni salad recipes are easy to make and can be tailored to your liking. Feel free to add or remove ingredients to suit your taste preferences.

Here are our top 2 tried and tested recipes!

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

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

Ingredients

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

Tips:

For the best macaroni salad, use high-quality ingredients. Look for a flavorful cheese, such as cheddar or Gruyère, and fresh vegetables.
Cook the macaroni according to the package directions. Al dente pasta is ideal for macaroni salad, as it will hold its shape well.
Once the macaroni is cooked, rinse it with cold water to stop the cooking process. This will also help to prevent the macaroni from sticking together.
While the macaroni is cooking, prepare the other ingredients. Dice the vegetables and grate the cheese.
Once the macaroni is cool, add it to a large bowl. Add the vegetables, cheese, and dressing, and toss to combine.
Season the macaroni salad to taste with salt and pepper. You may also want to add a squeeze of lemon juice or a dash of hot sauce.
Cover the macaroni salad and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving. This will allow the flavors to meld.

Conclusion:

Macaroni salad is a classic summer dish that is easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser. With its creamy dressing, flavorful cheese, and fresh vegetables, macaroni salad is a delicious and versatile side dish that can be enjoyed at any gathering.

Whether you are looking for a simple recipe for a weeknight dinner or a more elaborate dish for a special occasion, you are sure to find a macaroni salad recipe in this article that you will love.