Best 3 Picnic Macaroni Salad Recipes

Indulge in a delightful culinary experience with our Picnic Macaroni Salad, an exquisite dish that combines the classic flavors of macaroni salad with a symphony of fresh, vibrant ingredients. Perfect for potlucks, picnics, and backyard barbecues, this versatile salad caters to the preferences of every palate. Dive into the creamy, tangy dressing that harmonizes perfectly with the al dente macaroni, crisp celery, sweet red onion, and the vibrant crunch of carrots. Elevate your taste buds with a hint of sweetness from the optional sugar or relish, and customize the salad to suit your dietary needs with gluten-free and vegan alternatives. Discover more culinary wonders within the article, including a delightful macaroni salad with a twist of Dijon mustard, a hearty tuna macaroni salad bursting with protein, and a refreshing vegan macaroni salad that caters to plant-based preferences. Embark on a culinary journey and explore the diverse flavors of macaroni salad, a dish that promises to delight and satisfy at every bite.

Here are our top 3 tried and tested recipes!

HAM AND MACARONI PICNIC SALAD

Ham and Macaroni Picnic Salad image

Turn left-over ham into a picnic favorite by combining it with eggs and pasta to make a delicious salad - serves a bunch in just 20 minutes!

Provided by By Betty Crocker Kitchens

Categories Side Dish

Time 20m

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 11

Ingredients

4 cups uncooked elbow macaroni (16 oz)
1 cup diced cooked ham
1 cup sliced celery
1/2 cup chopped green onions
1/4 cup sweet pickle relish
1 jar (2 oz) diced pimientos, drained
4 hard-cooked eggs, chopped
1 cup salad dressing or mayonnaise
2 tablespoons yellow mustard
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper

Steps:

Cook and drain macaroni as directed on package. Rinse with cold water to cool; drain well.
In large bowl, mix cooked macaroni, ham, celery, onions, pickle relish and pimientos.
In small bowl, mix all dressing ingredients until well blended. Add to salad; mix well. Gently stir in hard-cooked eggs. Serve immediately, or cover and refrigerate until serving time.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 360, Carbohydrate 40 g, Cholesterol 75 mg, Fat 3, Fiber 2 g, Protein 12 g, SaturatedFat 3 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 630 mg, Sugar 3 g, TransFat 0 g

AMISH PICNIC MACARONI SALAD

Amish Picnic Macaroni Salad image

A Pennsylvania Dutch staple. Something different for your picnic! To save time hard-boil the eggs with the macaroni.

Provided by deedledeet

Categories Salad 100+ Pasta Salad Recipes Macaroni Salad Recipes

Time 4h35m

Yield 10

Number Of Ingredients 11

Ingredients

1 (16 ounce) package elbow macaroni
4 hard-cooked eggs, yolks and whites separated
½ cup chopped celery
½ cup chopped sweet onion
¼ cup shredded carrot
1 cup mayonnaise
3 tablespoons prepared yellow mustard
¾ cup vinegar
¾ cup milk
1 ¼ cups white sugar
½ teaspoon salt

Steps:

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until cooked through but firm to the bite, 8 minutes; drain. Rinse with cold water until cool; drain.
Chop egg whites; toss in a bowl with the macaroni, celery, sweet onion, and shredded carrot.
Blend egg yolks, mayonnaise, mustard, vinegar, milk, sugar, and salt in a blender until smooth; pour over the macaroni mixture and stir to coat.
Refrigerate 4 to 5 hours before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 480.6 calories, Carbohydrate 62.8 g, Cholesterol 94.6 mg, Fat 21.2 g, Fiber 2.5 g, Protein 10.2 g, SaturatedFat 3.7 g, Sodium 334.2 mg, Sugar 27.5 g

PICNIC MACARONI SALAD

Picnic Macaroni Salad image

This is a macaroni salad that goes great with baked beans and any barbecued or grilled meat - perfect for a picnic.

Provided by Paula

Categories Salad Seafood Salad Recipes Tuna Salad Recipes

Time 1h

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 9

Ingredients

1 (16 ounce) package macaroni
1 ½ cups ranch dressing
½ cup mayonnaise
1 (6 ounce) can small pitted black olives, juice reserved
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon adobo seasoning
ground black pepper to taste
2 (6 ounce) cans solid white tuna, drained and crumbled
1 small red bell pepper, chopped

Steps:

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Drain and let cool completely, about 30 minutes.
Mix ranch dressing, mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons reserved olive juice, garlic powder, adobo, and pepper together in a bowl.
Pour dressing mixture into cooled macaroni. Add olives, tuna, and red bell pepper to macaroni; stir well to combine. Chill until serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 610.8 calories, Carbohydrate 47.4 g, Cholesterol 30 mg, Fat 37.9 g, Fiber 3.2 g, Protein 19.3 g, SaturatedFat 5.8 g, Sodium 720 mg, Sugar 4 g

Tips:

Use high-quality ingredients for the best flavor. Fresh vegetables, cooked macaroni, and a flavorful dressing are key.
Cook the macaroni al dente according to the package instructions. This will prevent it from becoming mushy in the salad.
Chop the vegetables into small pieces so they are easy to eat. You can use a food processor or knife to do this.
Make the dressing ahead of time and let it chill in the refrigerator. This will allow the flavors to meld together.
Add the dressing to the salad just before serving. This will prevent the salad from becoming watery.
Serve the salad chilled or at room temperature. It is a great side dish for picnics, potlucks, and barbecues.

Conclusion:

Macaroni salad is a classic picnic side dish that is easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser. With its creamy dressing, crunchy vegetables, and al dente macaroni, it is a dish that everyone will enjoy. There are many different variations of macaroni salad, so you can easily customize it to your own taste. Whether you like it classic or with a few extra ingredients, macaroni salad is a dish that is sure to be a hit at your next picnic. Feel free to experiment with different ingredients and dressings to create your own unique macaroni salad recipe.