Best 4 Nonas Famous Macaroni Salad Recipes

Indulge in the classic Italian-American goodness of Nona's Famous Macaroni Salad, a delectable dish bursting with vibrant flavors and textures. This beloved salad takes center stage at potlucks, picnics, and backyard barbecues, offering a delightful medley of tender macaroni, crisp vegetables, and a creamy, tangy dressing. With three variations to choose from—the classic, a lighter version, and a zesty option—Nona's Macaroni Salad caters to every palate. From the traditional mayonnaise-based dressing to the refreshing Greek yogurt alternative and the piquant sun-dried tomato vinaigrette, each recipe offers a unique twist on this iconic salad. So gather your ingredients, put on your apron, and embark on a culinary journey to savor the timeless flavors of Nona's Famous Macaroni Salad.

Here are our top 4 tried and tested recipes!

NONA'S FAMOUS MACARONI SALAD

Nona's Famous Macaroni Salad image

This recipe was my beloved late mother-in-law's always requested salad. It is deceptively easy and I still prepare it for my children and family. A few of the ingredients include radishes, green onions, celery and a bit of mayonnaise.

Provided by sandydee

Categories Macaroni Salad

Time 40m

Yield 10

Number Of Ingredients 6

Ingredients

1 pound macaroni
1 bunch radishes, sliced
1 green onions
6 large stalks celery, chopped
¼ cup mayonnaise
salt and pepper to taste

Steps:

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; rinse under cold water, and drain.
In a large bowl, combine the pasta, radishes, green onions, celery, mayonnaise, salt and pepper. Mix well, chill, and serve with sliced tomatoes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 215.9 calories, Carbohydrate 35.6 g, Cholesterol 2.1 mg, Fat 5.1 g, Fiber 2.2 g, Protein 6.3 g, SaturatedFat 0.8 g, Sodium 68.2 mg, Sugar 2.1 g

DUNKLEY'S FAMOUS MACARONI SALAD

Dunkley's Famous Macaroni Salad image

Provided by Food Network

Categories side-dish

Time 3h40m

Yield 24 servings

Number Of Ingredients 20

Ingredients

One 16-ounce package salad macaroni (or ditali pasta)
1 cup celery, diced
1 cup red onion, diced
1 cup yellow or white onion, diced
1 cup medium Cheddar, diced
1 cup Swiss cheese, diced
1/2 cup Parmesan, grated
1 cup dill pickles, diced
1 cup salami, diced
One 6-ounce can large pitted black olives, drained (or 1 cup diced or sliced)
1 to 2 tablespoons Lowry's garlic salt
1 to 2 tablespoons fresh minced garlic
1/4 teaspoon dried horseradish
1/2 teaspoon ground white pepper
1 to 2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1/2 teaspoon celery salt
One 3-ounce jar diced pimentos, rinsed and drained
1 to 1 1/2 cups mayonnaise

Steps:

Add 2 quarts of water to a medium stockpot and bring to a boil. Add macaroni and cook until it is al dente, approximately 9 minutes. Do not overcook the pasta or it will fall apart when the salad is tossed together. Rinse macaroni until cool. Drain well and let it dry out slightly.
Add pasta to a large bowl. Carefully fold in celery, onion, Cheddar, Swiss cheese, Parmesan, dill pickles, salami, and black olives. Refrigerate the mixture, uncovered, overnight (or refrigerate for at least 2 hours).
Mix the Lowry's garlic salt, minced garlic, white pepper, black pepper, cayenne pepper, dry mustard and celery salt together. Add to salad. Fold in the pimentos. Fold in 1 cup of mayonnaise to start. Add up to a 1/2 cup more of mayonnaise if needed. Refrigerate again for 30 minutes to 1 hour.

CHEF JOHN'S CLASSIC MACARONI SALAD

Chef John's Classic Macaroni Salad image

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

Ingredients

1 cup mayonnaise
¼ cup white vinegar
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
2 teaspoons kosher salt, or more to taste
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon white sugar, or more to taste
1 cup finely diced celery
¾ cup diced red bell pepper
½ cup grated carrot
½ cup chopped green onions, white and light parts
¼ cup diced jalapeno pepper
¼ cup diced poblano pepper
1 (16 ounce) package uncooked elbow macaroni
1 tablespoon mayonnaise
1 tablespoon water

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

MOM'S BEST MACARONI SALAD

Mom's Best Macaroni Salad image

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

Ingredients

16 ounces uncooked elbow macaroni
4 carrots, shredded
1 large red onion, chopped
½ green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
½ red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
1 cup chopped celery
2 cups mayonnaise
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
½ cup white sugar
½ cup white vinegar
salt and pepper to taste

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

Tips:

Use high-quality ingredients: Fresh vegetables, flavorful cheese, and a good quality mayonnaise will make all the difference in the taste of your macaroni salad.
Cook the macaroni al dente: This will prevent it from becoming mushy in the salad.
Chill the macaroni before assembling the salad: This will help it to hold its shape and prevent it from becoming too sticky.
Use a light hand when dressing the salad: You don't want to overwhelm the other ingredients with too much mayonnaise.
Add some fresh herbs for extra flavor: Basil, parsley, or chives are all great options.
Serve the salad immediately or chill it for a few hours before serving: This will allow the flavors to meld together.

Conclusion:

Nona's Famous Macaroni Salad is a classic dish that is perfect for any occasion. It is easy to make, delicious, and always a crowd-pleaser. With a few simple tips, you can make this salad your own and impress your friends and family with your culinary skills.