Indulge in a classic side dish that brings joy to every gathering: macaroni salad. This versatile dish is a staple at potlucks, picnics, and backyard barbecues. Its combination of tender macaroni, crisp vegetables, and a creamy, tangy dressing creates a symphony of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds. With its ease of preparation and endless variations, macaroni salad is a culinary canvas just waiting to be explored.
This article presents a collection of delectable macaroni salad recipes that cater to a wide range of preferences. From the classic mayonnaise-based dressing to lighter, healthier options, each recipe holds its own unique charm. Whether you prefer a traditional rendition or a modern twist, there's a recipe here that will satisfy your cravings. So, gather your ingredients, put on your apron, and embark on a culinary journey that will leave you and your loved ones craving for more.
GRANDMA'S MACARONI SALAD
A sweet macaroni salad just like Grandma used to make. The dressing is a good basic macaroni salad dressing that you can use with your own macaroni salad recipe. You must refrigerate for at least 4 hours for all of the flavors to blend together.
Provided by Hope
Categories Salad 100+ Pasta Salad Recipes Macaroni Salad Recipes
Time 4h35m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Drain well; rinse with cold water and drain again.
- Reserve 2 tablespoons relish juice; place the rest in a large bowl with onion, bell pepper, carrot, and egg.
- Whisk creamy salad dressing into reserved relish juice. Mix in sour cream, milk, sugar, dill, salt, and pepper. Fold gently into the macaroni mixture. Refrigerate to let flavors blend, 4 to 24 hours.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 171.9 calories, Carbohydrate 28.9 g, Cholesterol 32.3 mg, Fat 4.1 g, Fiber 1.4 g, Protein 4.9 g, SaturatedFat 1.2 g, Sodium 215 mg, Sugar 8.2 g
MOM'S BEST MACARONI SALAD
This is, by far, the best macaroni salad I've ever put into my mouth. It has a perfect blend of sweetness and tartness, and it is so pretty with all of the multi-colored veggies. Be ready for this to disappear before you put it on the table! I have six children, and it is all I can do to keep them from nibbling on it while I'm mixing it up!
Provided by Renee Chase
Categories Salad Pasta Salad Macaroni Salad Recipes
Time 30m
Yield 16
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add macaroni, and cook until tender, about 8 minutes. Rinse under cold water, and drain.
- In a large bowl, stir together the carrots, red onion, green pepper, red pepper and celery. Mix in the mayonnaise, condensed milk, sugar, vinegar, salt and pepper. Add the macaroni, toss gently, cover and refrigerate for at least 8 hours. I usually make this a day ahead of time, and stir it occasionally to blend the flavors. The macaroni will absorb some of the liquid.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 424.2 calories, Carbohydrate 45 g, Cholesterol 18.8 mg, Fat 24.7 g, Fiber 2.1 g, Protein 6.6 g, SaturatedFat 4.8 g, Sodium 205.4 mg, Sugar 21.7 g
CHEF JOHN'S CLASSIC MACARONI SALAD
Whether it's sitting next to some smoky ribs or just a humble hot dog, this deli-style macaroni salad will always be a crowd favorite, as long as you pay attention to a few key details.
Provided by Chef John
Categories Salad 100+ Pasta Salad Recipes Macaroni Salad Recipes
Time 4h33m
Yield 12
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Whisk 1 cup mayonnaise, vinegar, Dijon mustard, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper together in a bowl until well blended; whisk in sugar. Stir in celery, red bell pepper, carrot, onions, and jalapeno and poblano peppers. Refrigerate until macaroni is ready to dress.
- Bring a large pot of well salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until cooked through, 8 to 10 minutes. Drain but do not rinse. Allow macaroni to drain in a colander about 5 minutes, shaking out moisture from time to time. Pour macaroni into large bowl; toss to separate and cool to room temperature. Macaroni should be sticky.
- Pour dressing over macaroni and stir until dressing is evenly distributed. Cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate at least 4 hours or, ideally, overnight to allow dressing to absorb into the macaroni.
- Stir salad before serving. Mix 1 tablespoon mayonnaise and 1 tablespoon water into salad for fresher look.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 294.5 calories, Carbohydrate 32 g, Cholesterol 7.4 mg, Fat 16.1 g, Fiber 1.9 g, Protein 5.4 g, SaturatedFat 2.4 g, Sodium 508.1 mg, Sugar 3.2 g
EASY CREAMY MACARONI SALAD RECIPE
The perfect side dish for your summer BBQ - traditional creamy American macaroni salad. Creamy, easy, and delicious.
Provided by Camille Beckstrand
Categories Side Dish
Time 10m
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- In a large bowl combine the macaroni, celery, onion, parsley and tomato.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, mustard, sugar, vinegar, sour cream and salt.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and stir to combine.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve.
- Store covered in the refrigerator, for up to 3 days.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 324 kcal, Carbohydrate 38 g, Protein 7 g, Fat 16 g, SaturatedFat 3 g, TransFat 1 g, Cholesterol 11 mg, Sodium 326 mg, Fiber 2 g, Sugar 4 g, ServingSize 1 serving
KIM'S SUMMER CUCUMBER PASTA SALAD
This summery pasta salad recipe was given to me by my sister, Kim. It is my husband's favorite side of the summer! Enjoy!
Provided by mmihlbachler
Categories Salad Pasta Salad Farfalle Pasta Salad Recipes
Time 2h30m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook the bow tie pasta at a boil, stirring occasionally, until cooked through yet firm to the bite, about 12 minutes. Drain and rinse several times with cold water until pasta is cool.
- Stir pasta, cucumber, onion, and dill in a salad bowl. Whisk vinegar, sugar, water, vegetable oil, mustard, salt, and black pepper in a separate bowl until sugar and salt have dissolved. Pour dressing over the pasta mixture and toss lightly to coat with dressing. Let chill for 2 hours before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 227.5 calories, Carbohydrate 48.7 g, Fat 2.5 g, Fiber 1.6 g, Protein 4.3 g, SaturatedFat 0.4 g, Sodium 171.4 mg, Sugar 27.3 g
MACARONI SALAD
Macaroni salad, a cookout favorite, doesn't take much to be great - just the right amount of moisture and seasoning. This version draws its inspiration from the macaroni salad at the Kennedy Fried Chicken restaurants. For the perfect balance, use a more savory brand of mayonnaise here, since the recipe gets its sweetness from a bit of sugar and shredded carrots. Make sure the macaroni salad is cold when you serve it; the only time macaroni has to be served hot is when it's covered in mounds of cheese, like this Southern Macaroni and Cheese.
Provided by Millie Peartree
Categories noodles, salads and dressings, side dish
Time 30m
Yield 8 to 10 servings (3 quarts)
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook noodles until a little past al dente, then rinse under cold water and drain. Once the noodles are cool enough to handle with your hands, transfer them to a large bowl.
- Add the celery, bell pepper, carrots and onion to the cooled noodles; toss to combine.
- Prepare the dressing: In a medium bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, vinegar, sugar, mustard, salt and pepper.
- Pour dressing over the pasta mixture and toss until everything is well coated. Taste and season with more salt and pepper, if desired. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and chill for at least 1 hour before serving.
Tips:
- Use high-quality ingredients: Fresh vegetables, flavorful cheese, and a creamy mayonnaise-based dressing will make all the difference in the final dish.
- Cook the macaroni to al dente: This will prevent it from becoming mushy when mixed with the other ingredients.
- Let the macaroni salad cool completely before serving: This will help the flavors to meld and develop.
- Garnish the macaroni salad with chopped fresh herbs, grated Parmesan cheese, or a sprinkling of paprika for extra flavor and color.
- Make sure to taste the macaroni salad and adjust the seasonings as needed before serving.
Conclusion:
Kim's macaroni salad is a classic summer side dish that is perfect for potlucks, picnics, and barbecues. With its creamy, tangy dressing, colorful vegetables, and hearty macaroni, this salad is sure to be a hit with everyone. So next time you're looking for a delicious and easy-to-make side dish, give Kim's macaroni salad a try.
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