Best 4 Super Creamy Macaroni Salad Recipes

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Indulge in a delightful culinary journey with our super creamy macaroni salad, a timeless classic transformed into an extraordinary dish. This delectable salad captivates taste buds with its rich, velvety texture and explosion of flavors. Perfectly cooked macaroni, bathed in a creamy dressing, harmonizes with crisp vegetables and a hint of tangy mustard. Discover the secrets behind this irresistible side dish, as we unveil a collection of recipes that cater to various dietary preferences. From a classic mayonnaise-based dressing to a lighter, tangy vinaigrette, and even a vegan-friendly option, we've got you covered. Prepare to elevate your picnics, potlucks, and everyday meals with this crowd-pleasing macaroni salad that promises to leave a lasting impression.

Let's cook with our recipes!

MACARONI SALAD



Macaroni Salad image

Macaroni Salad is quick to throw together and so DELICIOUS! A versatile, fool-proof pasta salad with an incredible creamy dressing perfect to take to gatherings, Bbq's, lunches and dinners. Or serve as a popular side dish!

Provided by Karina

Categories     Salad

Time 25m

Number Of Ingredients 16

8 oz (250g) dry macaroni pasta
1/2 medium red bell pepper (capsicum), (seeded and finely chopped)
1/2 medium red onion, (finely diced)
1 small carrot, (peeled and shredded)
2 dill pickles, (finely chopped)
1/4 cup chopped celery
1 cup mayonnaise, ((S&W, Best Foods, Hellmann's, Japanese or any whole egg mayo))
1/4 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons white vinegar, ((adjust to taste))
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, (chopped)
1 tablespoon fresh chives
1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper

Steps:

  • Bring large pot of salted water to the boil over high heat. Add the pasta and boil until al dente (just fork-tender), or follow packet directions.
  • While pasta is boiling, prepare/chop SALAD ingredients and add them to a large serving bowl.
  • Mix DRESSING ingredients together in a small bowl.
  • Once pasta is cooked, drain and rinse under cool running water. Drain well and add to the rest of the SALAD ingredients in the large serving bowl.
  • Pour over DRESSING and toss well to evenly combine. Adjust salt, pepper and vinegar to taste.
  • Set aside for at least 15 minutes to let the ingredients warm close to room temperature and settle into each other before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 403 kcal, Carbohydrate 34 g, Protein 6 g, Fat 27 g, SaturatedFat 4 g, Fiber 2 g, Sugar 4 g, ServingSize 1 serving

SUPER CREAMY MACARONI SALAD



Super Creamy Macaroni Salad image

I make several different kinds of macaroni salads, but this one is my hubby's favorite and the one I make when I need to please everybody! I finally took the time to write it down as I added, so putting it here for safe keeping and so next time I won't have to fiddle with it to get it right! Enjoy! Photo by me. (It got chopped...

Provided by Kelly Williams

Categories     Pasta Salads

Time 20m

Number Of Ingredients 11

2 1/2 cups uncooked macaroni
SAUCE:
2 cups mayo
1/3 cup sweet pickle relish
3 tbl. sugar
3 tbl. sweet pickle juice from sweet butter pickles
1 tsp. regular salt
1 tsp. celery salt
2 tsp. regular table mustard
2 tbl. dried minced onion
*1 tbl. milk

Steps:

  • 1. In large bowl, mix all sauce ingredients except milk, stirring well, set aside. Cook macaroni according to package directions. Drain, rinse with cold water to stop cooking and chill, drain again, and stir into sauce mixture. Chill in fridge for 30 minutes to one hour. Stir in 1 Tbl. milk to loosen and serve! Enjoy!
  • 2. ***SECRET TIP! Forgot to put this in here! After you drain your macaroni, put it in a small shallow bowl and pour 1/3-1/2 cup of milk over it. Keep stirring now and then and let the macaroni absorb all or most of the milk. This will take about 20-30 minutes, but WORTH IT. The pasta won't be soggy or anything, but will help GREATLY with stopping the sauce from soaking in too much and be dry. Just drain any excess milk before stirring into the sauce. You will then only have to add a TAD of mayo or milk to refresh the salad instead of a gallon more of mayo!

CREAMY MACARONI SALAD



Creamy Macaroni Salad image

This is my own macaroni salad. I did not get it from my mother or my grandmother and I did not get it out of a book or off the internet. It is not Amish, Cajun, Mexican or any other description of the various macaroni salads that are posted on the internet. It is my own made up salad. It is designed after my own recipe #20155 that I have posted on Recipezaar (with 121 high reviews, thank you very much to those that have tried it). The dressing is mostly the same, but there are a few other ingredients in this salad that is not in my potato salad. I hope some of you will enjoy it as much as you did the other.

Provided by Karen From Colorado

Categories     Vegetable

Time 45m

Yield 20 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 lb large elbow macaroni, cooked to desired tenderness
1/2 cup thinly sliced celery
1/4 cup finely diced sweet onion
1 small red sweet bell pepper, finely diced
1/4-1/2 cup sliced pimento stuffed olive
1 1/2 cups mayonnaise (I like half and half) or 1 1/2 cups salad dressing (I like half and half)
2 teaspoons prepared yellow mustard
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup sweet pickle relish
2 teaspoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon celery seed
1/2 lb bacon, prepared as in Homemade Fresh Bacon Bits

Steps:

  • Mix cooled macaroni, celery, onions, bell pepper and green olives together in a large bowl.
  • In a separate bowl mix together the mayonnaise, mustard, vinegar, pickle relish, sugar, salt, pepper and celery seed, stirring well.
  • Stir dressing into the macaroni mixture.
  • Stir in the crumbled bacon.
  • Serve chilled.
  • For another variation, omit the green olives, add sliced black olives and a container of grape tomatoes.
  • For a meal type salad, add diced cooked chicken or tuna fish.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 215, Fat 11.5, SaturatedFat 2.6, Cholesterol 12.3, Sodium 312.6, Carbohydrate 23.5, Fiber 1, Sugar 3.3, Protein 4.6

SUMMER MACARONI SALAD



Summer Macaroni Salad image

When we grill, my mother asks me to make this summer pasta salad. To make it extra creamy, I like to keep a small amount of dressing separate and stir it in just before serving. -Carly Curtin, Ellicott City, Maryland

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch     Side Dishes

Time 40m

Yield 16 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 package (16 ounces) elbow macaroni
1 cup reduced-fat mayonnaise
3 to 4 tablespoons water or 2% milk
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon sugar
1-1/2 teaspoons salt
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 small sweet yellow, orange or red pepper, finely chopped
1 small green pepper, finely chopped
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 celery rib, finely chopped
2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley

Steps:

  • Cook macaroni according to package directions. Drain; rinse with cold water and drain again., In a small bowl, mix mayonnaise, water, vinegar, sugar and seasonings until blended. In a large bowl, combine macaroni, peppers, onion and celery. Add 1 cup dressing; toss gently to coat. Refrigerate, covered, until cold, about 2 hours. Cover and refrigerate remaining dressing to add just before serving., To serve, stir in reserved dressing. Sprinkle with parsley.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 160 calories, Fat 6g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 5mg cholesterol, Sodium 320mg sodium, Carbohydrate 24g carbohydrate (3g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 4g protein. Diabetic Exchanges

Tips:

  • Use high-quality ingredients: Fresh vegetables, flavorful cheese, and creamy mayonnaise are essential for the best macaroni salad. Avoid using pre-packaged ingredients whenever possible.
  • Cook the macaroni al dente: This will prevent it from becoming mushy in the salad. Cook the macaroni according to the package directions, but test it for doneness a minute or two before the recommended cooking time is up.
  • Let the macaroni cool completely: Before adding the other ingredients, let the macaroni cool completely to room temperature. This will help prevent the salad from becoming watery.
  • Use a light hand with the mayonnaise: Too much mayonnaise can make the salad greasy and heavy. Add the mayonnaise a little at a time, until the macaroni is evenly coated.
  • Season the salad to taste: Add salt, pepper, and other seasonings to taste. You may also want to add a bit of sweetness, such as sugar or honey.
  • Chill the salad before serving: This will help the flavors to meld and make the salad more refreshing.

Conclusion:

Macaroni salad is a classic summer side dish that is perfect for potlucks, picnics, and barbecues. It is easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste. With a few simple tips, you can make the best macaroni salad that everyone will love.

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