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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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