Indulge in the classic American side dish, macaroni salad with peas, a staple at picnics, potlucks, and summer gatherings. This versatile dish is a symphony of flavors and textures, featuring tender macaroni, crisp peas, and a creamy, tangy dressing that ties it all together. Served chilled, this refreshing salad is a delightful accompaniment to grilled meats, fried chicken, or as a light lunch option. Let's dive into the simple steps to create this timeless dish, along with three exciting variations that add a twist to the classic recipe.
1. Classic Macaroni Salad with Peas:
This recipe stays true to the traditional macaroni salad, featuring elbow macaroni, sweet peas, crunchy celery, and hard-boiled eggs. The creamy dressing is a harmonious blend of mayonnaise, mustard, vinegar, and a hint of sugar.
2. Italian Macaroni Salad:
Inspired by Italian flavors, this variation incorporates sun-dried tomatoes, olives, and fresh basil. The tangy dressing gets a boost from red wine vinegar and a touch of garlic.
3. Southwestern Macaroni Salad:
Introducing a Southwestern twist, this recipe includes black beans, corn, and bell peppers. The creamy dressing is infused with a blend of chili powder, cumin, and lime juice, giving it a vibrant and zesty flavor.
4. Asian Macaroni Salad:
This Asian-inspired rendition features edamame, shredded carrots, and green onions. The dressing is a delightful fusion of soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, and ginger, creating a savory and umami-rich salad.
Each recipe provides step-by-step instructions, ingredient lists, and helpful tips to ensure success in your culinary adventure.
QUICK MACARONI SALAD
You can't go wrong with this time-tested winner. Here it is pared down for two.-Carma Blosser, Livermore, Colorado
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Lunch
Time 20m
Yield 2 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Cook macaroni according to package directions, adding peas during the last 2 minutes of cooking. Drain and rinse in cold water. , In a small bowl, combine the remaining ingredients. Stir in macaroni and peas. Chill until serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 276 calories, Fat 15g fat (4g saturated fat), Cholesterol 24mg cholesterol, Sodium 544mg sodium, Carbohydrate 28g carbohydrate (4g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 10g protein.
CHEDDAR AND MACARONI SALAD
This is a good make-ahead side dish for a summer dinner.
Provided by Karena
Categories Salad 100+ Pasta Salad Recipes Vegetarian Pasta Salad Recipes
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Cook pasta in boiling salted water until done. Drain. Rinse macaroni under cold water, and drain again.
- Combine pasta with cheese, vegetables, mayonnaise, sour cream, milk, and pickle relish. Chill for at least 24 hours.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 243.4 calories, Carbohydrate 19.2 g, Cholesterol 25.4 mg, Fat 15.2 g, Fiber 1.7 g, Protein 7.9 g, SaturatedFat 6 g, Sodium 213.5 mg, Sugar 3.6 g
PEAS AND PASTA SALAD
Provided by Sunny Anderson
Time 23m
Yield 6 to 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Cook the pasta in salted boiling water as directed on box for al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain and place the cooked pasta in a large bowl filled with ice water to stop the pasta from over cooking. Stir until the pasta is cool, then drain in a colander shaking to release as much water as possible.
- To make the dressing: In a large bowl mix the red onion, salad dressing, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and sugar. Taste and then season with a pinch of salt and grind or two of pepper. Add the pasta and completely coat with the dressing. Add in the peas, cheese, and bacon. Cook's Note: If making ahead, cover and refrigerate the salad until ready to serve, then add the bacon right before serving.
MACARONI SALAD WITH PEAS AND HAM
Categories Salad Pasta Side Freeze/Chill Fourth of July Picnic Super Bowl Graduation Backyard BBQ Ham Celery Pea Bell Pepper Summer Tailgating Potluck Noodle Bon Appétit Dairy Free Peanut Free Tree Nut Free Soy Free No Sugar Added
Yield Makes 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Cook macaroni in large pot of boiling salted water until just tender but still firm to bite, stirring occasionally. Drain; rinse with cold water and drain well. Place macaroni in large bowl. Add ham, bell pepper, peas, celery, shallots and parsley. Whisk vinegar, lemon juice and mustard in small bowl to blend; whisk in oil. Season dressing with salt and pepper. Toss salad with dressing. Cover; chill at least 2 and up to 6 hours, tossing occasionally. Serve salad cold or at room temperature.
Tips:
- Use high-quality macaroni. The best macaroni salads start with high-quality macaroni. Look for a brand that is made with durum wheat and has a good texture.
- Cook the macaroni al dente. Al dente macaroni is cooked through but still has a slight bite to it. This will help to prevent the macaroni from becoming mushy in the salad.
- Use a variety of vegetables. The more vegetables you add to your macaroni salad, the more nutritious and flavorful it will be. Some good options include peas, carrots, celery, onion, and bell pepper.
- Use a flavorful dressing. The dressing is what really brings a macaroni salad together. Be sure to use a dressing that is flavorful and complements the other ingredients in the salad.
- Chill the salad before serving. Chilling the salad will help to allow the flavors to meld and will make it more refreshing.
Conclusion:
Macaroni salad is a classic summer dish that is perfect for potlucks, picnics, and barbecues. It is easy to make and can be customized to your liking. With so many different ways to make macaroni salad, you are sure to find a recipe that you will love.
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