Best 7 Quick Macaroni Salad Recipes
In the realm of summer cookouts, picnics, and potlucks, macaroni salad stands as a classic dish, a timeless crowd-pleaser that evokes nostalgia and comfort. This versatile salad, with its humble origins in 19th-century America, has evolved into a culinary canvas, allowing for endless variations and personal touches. From the traditional mayonnaise-based dressing to lighter, tangy vinaigrettes, and the myriad of mix-ins that can elevate its flavors, macaroni salad is a symphony of textures and tastes. This article presents a collection of quick and easy macaroni salad recipes, each offering a unique twist on this beloved classic. From a classic macaroni salad with a creamy, tangy dressing to a Mediterranean-inspired version bursting with fresh herbs and feta cheese, to a spicy fiesta macaroni salad with a kick of jalapeños and a smoky chipotle dressing, these recipes cater to diverse palates and preferences. With step-by-step instructions and helpful tips, these macaroni salads are sure to become staples at your next gathering, bringing joy and satisfaction to all who indulge.
Here are our top 7 tried and tested recipes!
EASY MACARONI SALAD
This hearty pasta salad is sure to please appetites of all ages-and it serves a lot of folks! -LaVerna Mjones, Moorhead, Minnesota
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Lunch Side Dishes
Time 15m
Yield 34 (1-cup) servings.
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Cook macaroni according to package directions. Rinse in cold water; drain and cool completely. , Place in a large bowl; stir in remaining ingredients. Cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 380 calories, Fat 26g fat (4g saturated fat), Cholesterol 102mg cholesterol, Sodium 615mg sodium, Carbohydrate 23g carbohydrate (2g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 13g protein.
QUICK MACARONI SALAD
You can't go wrong with this time-tested winner. Here it is pared down for two.-Carma Blosser, Livermore, Colorado
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Lunch
Time 20m
Yield 2 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Cook macaroni according to package directions, adding peas during the last 2 minutes of cooking. Drain and rinse in cold water. , In a small bowl, combine the remaining ingredients. Stir in macaroni and peas. Chill until serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 276 calories, Fat 15g fat (4g saturated fat), Cholesterol 24mg cholesterol, Sodium 544mg sodium, Carbohydrate 28g carbohydrate (4g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 10g protein.
QUICK MACARONI SALAD
This recipe is quick and easy, it wont spoil at a picnic, as it contains no miracle whip or mayonnaise.
Provided by carebear68
Categories < 30 Mins
Time 30m
Yield 8-10 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Cook macaroni following manufacture instruction.
- Chop bacon and fry.
- Drain bacon on paper towel.
- Drain cooked macaroni in cold water.
- Add carrots, frozen peas, onion, bacon, cheese.
- Mix well.
- Add vinegar and condensed milk.
- Mix well.
- Chill several hours stirring often.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 945.9, Fat 50.6, SaturatedFat 23.8, Cholesterol 115.2, Sodium 970, Carbohydrate 87.7, Fiber 4.5, Sugar 41.9, Protein 34.8
SIMPLE MACARONI SALAD
An easy mac salad that is excellent for parties, picnics and those summer day barbeques.
Provided by Samantha
Categories Salad 100+ Pasta Salad Recipes Macaroni Salad Recipes
Time 2h30m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 8
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. Drain, and rinse with cold water until no longer hot. Transfer noodles to a large bowl.
- Stir in red bell peppers, green bell peppers, green onions, celery and olive oil. Mix in mayonnaise and soup mix. Refrigerate for a few hours before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 435.7 calories, Carbohydrate 45.8 g, Cholesterol 10.4 mg, Fat 24.5 g, Fiber 2.9 g, Protein 8.1 g, SaturatedFat 3.7 g, Sodium 179.7 mg, Sugar 4.3 g
FAST MACARONI SALAD
Chopped veggies provide crunch, and cherry tomatoes add vibrant color to this refreshing and creamy pasta salad. -Frankiee Bush, Freedom, Indiana
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Lunch
Time 20m
Yield 2 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Cook macaroni according to package directions; drain and rinse in cold water. In a small bowl, combine the macaroni and vegetables. , In another bowl, combine the mayonnaise, salt and pepper. Pour over salad and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate until chilled. Stir before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 107 calories, Fat 2g fat (0 saturated fat), Cholesterol 3mg cholesterol, Sodium 408mg sodium, Carbohydrate 22g carbohydrate (5g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 3g protein. Diabetic Exchanges
QUICK ITALIAN PASTA SALAD
A quick and flavorful pasta salad with salami and bell peppers.
Provided by Trish
Categories Salad 100+ Pasta Salad Recipes Rotini Pasta Salad Recipes
Time 25m
Yield 12
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil; cook rotini at a boil until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes; drain and rinse with cold water until cool.
- Combine pasta, salami, green bell pepper, red bell pepper, onion, salad dressing, olives, and mozzarella cheese in a large bowl. Mix dry salad dressing into pasta; sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 370.9 calories, Carbohydrate 29.2 g, Cholesterol 46 mg, Fat 21 g, Fiber 1.6 g, Protein 15.2 g, SaturatedFat 7.4 g, Sodium 1893.1 mg, Sugar 5.4 g
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
Tips:
- Choose the right pasta. Elbow macaroni is the classic choice for macaroni salad, but you can also use other short pasta shapes like penne, rotini, or farfalle.
- Cook the pasta al dente. This means that the pasta should be cooked through but still have a slight bite to it. Overcooked pasta will be mushy and not hold its shape well in the salad.
- Rinse the pasta with cold water. This will stop the cooking process and help to keep the pasta from sticking together.
- Use a variety of vegetables. The more vegetables you add to your macaroni salad, the more flavorful and nutritious it will be. Some good choices include celery, carrots, red onion, bell pepper, and cucumber.
- Add some protein. Cooked chicken, ham, or tuna are all great additions to macaroni salad. They will help to make the salad more filling and satisfying.
- Use a flavorful dressing. The dressing is what really brings a macaroni salad together. You can use a simple vinaigrette, a creamy mayonnaise-based dressing, or a tangy mustard-based dressing.
- Chill the salad before serving. This will help the flavors to meld and the salad will be more refreshing.
Conclusion:
Macaroni salad is a classic summer side dish that is easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser. With so many different variations to choose from, there's sure to be a macaroni salad recipe that everyone will love. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy dish to bring to a potluck or barbecue, give macaroni salad a try. You won't be disappointed!
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