Best 7 Orange Zested Macaroni Pasta Salad Recipes

facebook share image   twitter share image   pinterest share image   E-Mail share image

Indulge in a delightful culinary journey with our diverse collection of macaroni pasta salad recipes, each bursting with unique flavors and textures. From the classic Orange Zested Macaroni Pasta Salad, a vibrant medley of citrusy goodness, to the creamy and rich Avocado Macaroni Pasta Salad, packed with creamy avocado and tangy dressing, our recipes cater to every palate.

For a lighter and refreshing option, try our Greek Macaroni Pasta Salad, a vibrant mix of Mediterranean flavors, or the tangy and flavorful Lemon Herb Macaroni Pasta Salad. If you're craving something hearty and comforting, our Bacon Ranch Macaroni Pasta Salad, loaded with crispy bacon and a creamy ranch dressing, is sure to satisfy. And for a unique twist, our Asian Macaroni Pasta Salad combines sweet and savory flavors with a sesame-ginger dressing.

Every recipe is carefully crafted to ensure a perfect balance of flavors and textures, making each dish a culinary delight. Whether you're hosting a summer barbecue, planning a potluck, or simply seeking a delicious and versatile side dish, our macaroni pasta salad recipes are guaranteed to impress. So, get ready to tantalize your taste buds and embark on a culinary adventure with our exceptional collection of macaroni pasta salad recipes.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

PERFECT CREAMY MACARONI PASTA SALAD



Perfect Creamy Macaroni Pasta Salad image

The key to the best creamy pasta salad is to rinse the cooked pasta under cold water before tossing with the dressing. Skipping this step means the dressing will turn sticky. We also "de-flame" the onion, which tames raw onion flavor so that the onion does not take over the salad. A quick bath in cold water does the trick.

Provided by Adam and Joanne Gallagher

Categories     Side Dish

Time 20m

Yield Makes about 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

8 ounces dry elbow macaroni or small pasta shape
1/4 medium red onion, finely chopped, about 1/4 cup
1 medium bell pepper, seeds removed and chopped
2 celery stalks, finely chopped, about 1/3 cup
3 radishes, trimmed and finely chopped, about 1/3 cup
1 to 2 medium dill pickles, finely chopped, optional
1/2 cup sour cream
1/4 cup mayonnaise, try our homemade mayonnaise
1 1/2 tablespoons yellow mustard, substitute Dijon or whole grain mustard
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt, plus more to taste
1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper, plus more to taste
1 to 2 tablespoons honey, optional for sweet version

Steps:

  • Cook pasta according to the package directions. Drain and rinse well under cold water to remove starch from the outside of the pasta.
  • Meanwhile, add the chopped onions to a small bowl and cover with cold water. Set aside for 5 minutes and then drain. This tones down the raw flavor of the onion so that it won't overpower the salad.
  • In the bottom of a large salad bowl, make the dressing. Whisk the sour cream, mayonnaise, mustard, cider vinegar, salt, and pepper. For a sweeter macaroni salad, add honey to taste. I typically add half of a tablespoon but try one to two tablespoons if you enjoy sweeter macaroni salads.
  • Add the rinsed macaroni, drained onions, bell pepper, celery, radish, and the pickle to the bowl with dressing. Mix well. Taste, then adjust with additional salt and pepper.

Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1/6 of the recipe, Calories 252, Fat 10.4g, SaturatedFat 2.9g, Cholesterol 10.6g, Sodium 317.2mg, Carbohydrate 32.2g, Fiber 2.1g, Sugar 2.4g, Protein 6.9g

MACARONI PASTA SALAD



Macaroni Pasta Salad image

Make and share this Macaroni Pasta Salad recipe from Food.com.

Provided by MyHappyEatings

Categories     Toddler Friendly

Time 15m

Yield 6-8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 13

2 cups elbow macaroni
1/2 cup celery, thinly sliced
1 red bell pepper, finely chopped
2 tablespoons red onions, finely chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
3/4 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup sweet pickle, finely chopped
1 tablespoon milk
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
3/4 cup sharp cheddar cheese, cut into small cubes
3 hard-boiled eggs, coarsley chopped
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Steps:

  • Cook pasta according to package directions, drain and rinse with cold water until pasta is no longer warm.
  • In a large bowl, combine pasta, red peppers, onion, garlic, sweet pickles, cheese and celery.
  • In a small bowl, combine mustard, pepper, salt, milk and mayo, mix well.
  • Pour dressing over pasta, toss well to coat.
  • Add eggs and toss to combine.
  • Chill 4 - 24 hours before serving. Store leftovers in the refrigerator, covered.

MAC-DADDI-RONI SALAD



Mac-Daddi-Roni Salad image

Provided by Guy Fieri

Categories     side-dish

Time 1h50m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

16 ounces macaroni pasta, 1/4-inch tube
2 cups mayonnaise
2 tablespoons minced garlic
3 tablespoons yellow mustard
1 tablespoon white vinegar
3/4 cup minced red onion
3/4 cup minced roasted red bell pepper
1/2 cup carrot, diced
3/4 cup celery, diced
1/4 cup diced peppadew peppers
1/4 cup minced pepperoncini
1 teaspoons sea salt
1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper

Steps:

  • In a medium pot, boil water and add salt. Add pasta, cook until al dente, and place into an ice water bath.
  • In a medium mixing bowl add mayonnaise, garlic, mustard, and vinegar. Mix to combine and place in refrigerator to keep chilled while pasta cools down.
  • When pasta is cool, mix in mayonnaise mixture and all vegetables. Mix thoroughly, season with salt and pepper. Place into refrigerator and chill for 1 hour for the flavors to combine.

ARTICHOKE PASTA SALAD



Artichoke Pasta Salad image

Provided by Alton Brown

Categories     main-dish

Time 22m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 19

4 cups cooked bow tie pasta, cooled
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
3 tablespoons Herb Oil, recipe follows
1 cup grape tomatoes, split
2 tablespoons thinly sliced fresh basil
1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano
1 cup roughly chopped roasted chicken
1 cup roughly chopped marinated artichokes
Salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1/2 bunch parsley
1/2 cup packed fresh basil
1/2 bunch fresh thyme
1/2 cup packed fresh oregano
1/2 orange, zested
1 whole dried arbol chile
1 teaspoon whole black pepper corns
2 cups canola oil
1 cup extra-virgin olive oil

Steps:

  • In a large bowl toss all of the ingredients. Serve or store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
  • In a 1-quart mason jar, place all of the herbs, zest, chile, and peppercorns. Pour both oils into a saucepan and heat to 200 degrees F. Pour the hot oils into the jar and cover with a kitchen towel. Let stand overnight.
  • Place cheesecloth over the top of the jar and replace the outer rim of the lid. Invert and strain oil into desired container.

MACARONI SALAD WITH LEMON AND HERBS



Macaroni Salad With Lemon and Herbs image

Consider this a macaroni salad for the 21st century: Like the original, it's a welcome accompaniment to picnic fare and pairs with virtually anything off the grill. But this version also happens to be bright, acidic and herbaceous. The traditional elements have been preserved - elbow macaroni, mayonnaise and a pinch of sugar are mandatory - but they've been bolstered by bright flavors: lemon zest, tangy capers and pickles, crunchy celery and tons of fresh herbs. It goes lighter on mayonnaise than the original, swapping in tangy buttermilk for a dressing that is more glossy than gloopy. It can be served straight from the fridge or at room temperature. A splash of water stirred in restores its silky sheen.

Provided by Alexa Weibel

Categories     pastas, salads and dressings, appetizer, side dish

Time 25m

Yield 10 cups

Number Of Ingredients 13

Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
2/3 cup minced bread-and-butter pickles
2 large stalks celery, peeled and finely chopped
4 scallions, trimmed and thinly sliced, plus more for garnish
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup buttermilk (see Tip)
1/3 cup finely chopped fresh Italian parsley, plus more for garnish
1/4 cup chopped fresh dill, plus small sprigs for garnish
1/4 cup drained jarred capers, chopped, plus 3 tablespoons caper brine
4 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon fresh lemon zest and 4 teaspoons juice (from 1 large lemon)
1 teaspoon granulated sugar
16 ounces elbow macaroni

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high.
  • While the water comes to a boil, prepare your dressing: In a large bowl, stir together pickles, celery, scallions, mayonnaise, buttermilk, parsley, dill, capers and brine, mustard, lemon zest and juice, and sugar. Season with 2 teaspoons salt and 1 teaspoon pepper.
  • Cook the macaroni in the boiling water until al dente, about 6 minutes; drain well and let cool for a few minutes.
  • Once cooled, toss macaroni with dressing, season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve immediately or refrigerate until chilled. Top with extra scallions, parsley and dill to garnish just before serving.

CANDIED ORANGE ZEST FOR ORANGE CHIFFON CAKE



Candied Orange Zest for Orange Chiffon Cake image

This intensely citrusy garnish for Orange Chiffon Cake is very easy to make.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Dessert & Treats Recipes

Number Of Ingredients 3

Zest of 1 orange
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup water

Steps:

  • Using a vegetable peeler, remove zest of orange in long strips; thinly slice lengthwise. In a small saucepan, combine sugar and water; bring to a boil over high. Add zest, and reduce heat to medium. Cook until zest is softened, about 15 minutes. With a slotted spoon, transfer zest to a baking sheet lined with waxed paper; let cool. Toss zest with 2 tablespoons sugar. Store in an airtight container at room temperature up to 1 day.

ORANGE ZESTED MACARONI PASTA SALAD



Orange Zested Macaroni Pasta Salad image

Simple to put together with a gourmet finish. An interesting twist on a Southern favorite. My own creation.

Provided by archimageiros

Categories     Lunch/Snacks

Time 8m

Yield 4-6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 11

4 cups cooked macaroni or 4 cups other pastas
1/2 orange, zest and juice of
1 cup mayonnaise
1/2 onion, diced very fine
2 -4 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf Italian parsley, to taste
1/2 red bell pepper, diced (optional)
2 scallions, diced (optional)
1 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
1 teaspoon paprika (optional)
black pepper
1 dash salt

Steps:

  • Combine ingredients. Best with lots of black pepper, in my opinion.
  • Orange flavor will get stronger as it sits in the fridge. Zesting all the peel from the 1/2 orange will make the orange flavor rather strong, especially if you plan to refrigerate before serving.
  • If you don't have a zester, crosshatch an area of orange peel with light cuts from a sharp knife, then "shave" the pieces off. It's very easy and with heavy crosshatching yields results comparable to using a good zester.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 454.8, Fat 20.9, SaturatedFat 3.1, Cholesterol 15.3, Sodium 459.5, Carbohydrate 58.7, Fiber 3.1, Sugar 6.6, Protein 8.7

Tips:

  • Select the right pasta: Short pasta shapes like macaroni, penne, or rotini are ideal for pasta salad as they hold the sauce and toppings well.
  • Cook pasta al dente: Cook the pasta according to the package instructions, but aim for al dente (slightly firm) to prevent it from becoming mushy in the salad.
  • Rinse the pasta: After cooking, rinse the pasta with cold water to stop the cooking process and prevent it from sticking.
  • Use fresh vegetables: Fresh vegetables add color, texture, and nutrients to the salad. Choose crisp and tender vegetables like bell peppers, cucumbers, tomatoes, and carrots.
  • Make a flavorful dressing: The dressing is key to a tasty pasta salad. Experiment with different combinations of olive oil, vinegar, herbs, and spices to create a dressing that complements the other ingredients.
  • Chill the salad before serving: Chilling the pasta salad allows the flavors to meld and develop. Aim to chill the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Conclusion:

Orange Zested Macaroni Pasta Salad is a refreshing and flavorful dish that is perfect for picnics, potlucks, and summer gatherings. With its medley of colorful vegetables, tangy dressing, and the unique zest of orange, this pasta salad is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. So, gather your ingredients, put on your apron, and let's make this delicious salad together!

Are you curently on diet or you just want to control your food's nutritions, ingredients? We will help you find recipes by cooking method, nutrition, ingredients...
Check it out »

    #15-minutes-or-less     #time-to-make     #course     #main-ingredient     #preparation     #occasion     #lunch     #salads     #pasta     #easy     #picnic     #vegetarian     #dietary     #low-cholesterol     #oamc-freezer-make-ahead     #brown-bag     #low-in-something     #pasta-rice-and-grains     #elbow-macaroni     #to-go     #number-of-servings     #presentation     #served-cold     #3-steps-or-less

Related Topics