Best 3 Macaroni Pasta Salad Recipes

Are you seeking a vibrant, flavor-infused pasta salad that's perfect for potlucks, picnics, or a light summer meal? Look no further! Our macaroni pasta salad is a symphony of textures and flavors that will tantalize your taste buds. Made with a colorful medley of cooked macaroni, crisp vegetables, protein-packed ingredients, and a tangy homemade dressing, our pasta salad guarantees a burst of freshness in every bite. With three variations – a classic macaroni salad, a creamy bacon macaroni salad, and a Mediterranean-inspired Greek macaroni salad – you'll find a perfect match for your preferences. Embark on a culinary adventure as we delve into the delightful world of macaroni pasta salad, offering you a trio of recipes that cater to diverse tastes and occasions.

Here are our top 3 tried and tested recipes!

MACARONI AND CHEESE PASTA SALAD

Macaroni and Cheese Pasta Salad image

One of my co-workers shared this recipe with us when everybody raved over it. I use this as a fast-fix dinners, as it can be made from last night's macaroni and cheese, and prep time is under 15 minutes.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Lunch

Time 15m

Yield 2 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 7

Ingredients

2 cups prepared macaroni and cheese
1/2 cup frozen peas, thawed
1/4 cup chopped celery
1 tablespoon chopped onion
3 tablespoons mayonnaise
1/4 teaspoon celery salt
1/4 teaspoon celery seed

Steps:

In a small bowl, combine the macaroni and cheese, peas, celery and onion. Combine the mayonnaise, celery salt and seed. Add to macaroni mixture; stir to coat.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 324 calories, Fat 20g fat (7g saturated fat), Cholesterol 33mg cholesterol, Sodium 562mg sodium, Carbohydrate 24g carbohydrate (6g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 11g protein.

MACARONI PASTA SALAD

Macaroni Pasta Salad image

Make and share this Macaroni Pasta Salad recipe from Food.com.

Provided by MyHappyEatings

Categories Toddler Friendly

Time 15m

Yield 6-8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 13

Ingredients

2 cups elbow macaroni
1/2 cup celery, thinly sliced
1 red bell pepper, finely chopped
2 tablespoons red onions, finely chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
3/4 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup sweet pickle, finely chopped
1 tablespoon milk
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
3/4 cup sharp cheddar cheese, cut into small cubes
3 hard-boiled eggs, coarsley chopped
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Steps:

Cook pasta according to package directions, drain and rinse with cold water until pasta is no longer warm.
In a large bowl, combine pasta, red peppers, onion, garlic, sweet pickles, cheese and celery.
In a small bowl, combine mustard, pepper, salt, milk and mayo, mix well.
Pour dressing over pasta, toss well to coat.
Add eggs and toss to combine.
Chill 4 - 24 hours before serving. Store leftovers in the refrigerator, covered.

ORANGE ZESTED MACARONI PASTA SALAD

Orange Zested Macaroni Pasta Salad image

Simple to put together with a gourmet finish. An interesting twist on a Southern favorite. My own creation.

Provided by archimageiros

Categories Lunch/Snacks

Time 8m

Yield 4-6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 11

Ingredients

4 cups cooked macaroni or 4 cups other pastas
1/2 orange, zest and juice of
1 cup mayonnaise
1/2 onion, diced very fine
2 -4 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf Italian parsley, to taste
1/2 red bell pepper, diced (optional)
2 scallions, diced (optional)
1 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
1 teaspoon paprika (optional)
black pepper
1 dash salt

Steps:

Combine ingredients. Best with lots of black pepper, in my opinion.
Orange flavor will get stronger as it sits in the fridge. Zesting all the peel from the 1/2 orange will make the orange flavor rather strong, especially if you plan to refrigerate before serving.
If you don't have a zester, crosshatch an area of orange peel with light cuts from a sharp knife, then "shave" the pieces off. It's very easy and with heavy crosshatching yields results comparable to using a good zester.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 454.8, Fat 20.9, SaturatedFat 3.1, Cholesterol 15.3, Sodium 459.5, Carbohydrate 58.7, Fiber 3.1, Sugar 6.6, Protein 8.7

Tips:

Use high-quality macaroni pasta. This will make a big difference in the final flavor and texture of your salad.
Cook the pasta al dente. This means cooking it until it is still slightly firm to the bite. This will prevent it from becoming mushy in the salad.
Rinse the pasta with cold water after cooking. This will help to stop the cooking process and prevent the pasta from sticking together.
Use a variety of vegetables in your salad. This will add color, flavor, and texture.
Use a light and flavorful dressing. A vinaigrette or a creamy dressing are both good options.
Season the salad to taste. This means adding salt, pepper, and other spices to your liking.
Chill the salad before serving. This will help to allow the flavors to meld together.

Conclusion:

Macaroni pasta salad is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed as a main course or a side dish. It is perfect for potlucks, picnics, or any other gathering. With so many variations to choose from, there is sure to be a macaroni pasta salad recipe that everyone will love.

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