Macaroni salad is a classic deli and backyard barbecue side dish made with cooked macaroni, mayonnaise, and various other ingredients, such as chopped celery, onion, hard-boiled eggs, and cheese. It's a versatile dish that can be customized to your liking, making it a favorite for potlucks and picnics. This article features a collection of macaroni salad recipes, each with its own unique twist on the classic dish. From a classic macaroni salad recipe to a creamy bacon ranch macaroni salad, and a tangy mustard macaroni salad, there's sure to be a recipe here that everyone will enjoy. So, grab your favorite pasta and mayonnaise, and let's get cooking!
Here are our top 5 tried and tested recipes!
MACARONI SALAD FOR A CROWD
Basic and super easy macaroni salad that I make for family gatherings. I make mine with dill relish but you could change it if you prefer the sweet. Looks good and tastes even better the next day. The more you make it, the quicker you will get. Can be served right away, or make it ahead of time and keep it in the fridge.
Provided by Crissy Soares
Categories Salad 100+ Pasta Salad Recipes Macaroni Salad Recipes
Time 25m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Place macaroni in the pot, cook for 8 to 10 minutes, until al dente, and drain.
- In a large bowl, toss the cooked pasta, grated eggs, olives, onion, and relish with some of the liquid. Mix in mustard and mayonnaise, increasing the amount of mayonnaise as desired. Season with salt and pepper. Top with sliced eggs, and sprinkle with paprika to serve.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 472.1 calories, Carbohydrate 48.2 g, Cholesterol 323.2 mg, Fat 22.6 g, Fiber 3.9 g, Protein 18.3 g, SaturatedFat 4.7 g, Sodium 691.3 mg, Sugar 2.9 g
MEAL-IN-ONE MACARONI SALAD
Great for those hot summer nights when it's too hot to cook, this is a very versatile recipe. We like it served with crisp breadsticks. Best if made a day or two before serving but can be served after 3 hours of chilling. Amount of salt to use will depend on type of meat used.
Provided by Okra4540
Categories One Dish Meal
Time 40m
Yield 6-8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Cook macaroni, drain well. Combine macaroni, celery, green pepper, meat, olives and onion in large bowl.
- In separate small bowl, blend together mayonnaise, vinegar, salt and dill weed. Add to macaroni mix and toss lightly. Cover and chill at least 3 hours. Just before serving, add tomatoes and cheese, tossing lightly.
CLASSIC MACARONI SALAD
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
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
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
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
AMERICAN MACARONI SALAD
Bring this classic American Macaroni Salad recipe from Food Network Kitchen to your next picnic � it's perfect for an outdoor barbecue spread.
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories side-dish
Time 30m
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- In a large bowl, combine the macaroni, celery, onion, parsley and tomato, if using. 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. Serve. Store covered in the refrigerator, for up to 3 days.
Tips:
- Use high-quality macaroni: Opt for a good quality macaroni that holds its shape well when cooked. Durum wheat pasta is a great choice.
- Cook the macaroni al dente: Make sure to cook the macaroni according to the package instructions, but slightly undercook it so that it retains a slight bite.
- Cool the macaroni quickly: Immediately after cooking, drain the macaroni and rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process and prevent it from becoming mushy.
- Use a variety of vegetables: Don't be afraid to experiment with different vegetables in your macaroni salad. Some popular choices include celery, carrots, red onion, bell peppers, and broccoli.
- Choose the right dressing: The dressing is what brings all the flavors of macaroni salad together. You can use a simple vinaigrette, a creamy dressing, or a tangy dressing, depending on your preference.
- Add some protein: If you want to make your macaroni salad more filling, you can add some protein, such as cooked chicken, ham, or shrimp.
- Garnish with fresh herbs: Before serving, sprinkle some fresh herbs, such as parsley, chives, or basil, on top of the macaroni salad for an extra burst of flavor.
Conclusion:
Macaroni salad is a versatile and delicious dish that can be enjoyed as a main course or a side dish. It's perfect for potlucks, picnics, and summer gatherings. With its endless variations, you can customize it to suit your taste preferences and dietary restrictions. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy meal, give this macaroni salad a try. You won't be disappointed!
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