Best 2 Main Dish Macaroni Salad Recipes

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Indulge in a delightful summer staple with our collection of macaroni salad recipes, offering a symphony of flavors and textures to tantalize your taste buds. From classic mayonnaise-based salads to innovative variations incorporating pesto, bacon, or avocado, our recipes cater to diverse preferences. Whether you're hosting a backyard barbecue, planning a potluck, or seeking a refreshing side dish, our macaroni salad extravaganza has something for every occasion. Dive into the world of creamy, tangy, and crunchy macaroni salads, and elevate your culinary repertoire with these easy-to-follow recipes.

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

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

MAIN DISH MACARONI SALAD



Main Dish Macaroni Salad image

A nice dish to bring to a barbecue. Can be made the night before, but keep the tomatoes out until a couple hours before serving.

Provided by Jill M.

Categories     Salad     100+ Pasta Salad Recipes     Tomato Pasta Salad Recipes

Yield 7

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 cup mayonnaise
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
¼ cup chopped parsley
2 tablespoons milk
1 clove garlic, minced
2 cups corkscrew pasta
1 ½ cups diced ham
2 cups halved cherry tomatoes

Steps:

  • Cook pasta in a large pot of boiling water until al dente. Drain, rinse, and drain once more. Set aside.
  • In a large bowl, combine mayonnaise, grated cheese, parsley, milk, and garlic. Mix well. Stir in pasta, ham, and tomatoes. Chill several hours.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 342.2 calories, Carbohydrate 14.2 g, Cholesterol 29.1 mg, Fat 28.7 g, Fiber 1 g, Protein 7.8 g, SaturatedFat 5.3 g, Sodium 555.7 mg, Sugar 0.6 g

Tips:

  • Use high-quality macaroni: The type of macaroni you use will make a big difference in the final dish. Look for a brand that is made with durum wheat semolina, which will give the macaroni a firm texture and prevent it from becoming mushy.
  • Cook the macaroni al dente: Al dente means "to the tooth" in Italian, and it refers to the ideal texture for cooked pasta. The macaroni should be cooked until it is tender but still has a slight bite to it.
  • Use a variety of vegetables: The vegetables you add to your macaroni salad will give it flavor, texture, and color. Some good options include celery, carrots, onions, bell peppers, and cucumbers.
  • Don't be afraid to experiment with different dressings: There are many different types of dressings that you can use for macaroni salad, so feel free to experiment until you find one that you like. Some popular options include mayonnaise-based dressings, vinegar-based dressings, and oil-based dressings.
  • Chill the macaroni salad before serving: Chilling the macaroni salad will help the flavors to meld and will make it more refreshing.

Conclusion:

Macaroni salad is a versatile dish that can be served as a main course or a side dish. It is a great way to use up leftover macaroni, and it is also a popular dish for potlucks and picnics. With so many different variations, there is sure to be a macaroni salad recipe that everyone will enjoy.

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