Best 7 Award Winning Macaroni Salad Recipes

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Are you searching for the perfect macaroni salad recipe to impress your friends and family? Look no further! Whether you're planning a backyard barbecue, a summer picnic, or a special occasion dinner, this article has you covered. We've gathered a collection of award-winning macaroni salad recipes that are guaranteed to be the hit of any gathering. Each recipe is carefully crafted with a unique blend of flavors and textures that will tantalize your taste buds and leave you craving more. So, get ready to explore a delightful journey through the world of macaroni salads and discover the secrets behind creating a truly unforgettable dish.

Let's cook with our recipes!

CLASSIC MACARONI SALAD



Classic Macaroni Salad image

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

4 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
1 cup mayonnaise
¼ cup distilled white vinegar
⅔ cup white sugar
2 ½ tablespoons prepared yellow mustard
1 ½ teaspoons salt
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
1 large onion, chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
1 green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
¼ cup grated carrot
2 tablespoons chopped pimento peppers

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

AMERICAN MACARONI SALAD



American Macaroni Salad image

Bring this classic American Macaroni Salad recipe from Food Network Kitchen to your next picnic � it's perfect for an outdoor barbecue spread.

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories     side-dish

Time 30m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

2 cups dry elbow macaroni, cooked, rinsed, and drained
1/3 cup diced celery
1/4 cup minced red onion, soaked in cold water for 5 minutes, drained
1 tablespoon minced flat-leaf parsley
1/2 cup diced vine-ripened tomato (optional)
1/2 cup prepared mayonnaise
3/4 teaspoon dry mustard
1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons cider vinegar
3 tablespoons sour cream
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
Freshly ground black pepper

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, combine the macaroni, celery, onion, parsley and tomato, if using. In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, mustard, sugar, vinegar, sour cream and salt. Pour the dressing over the salad and stir to combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve. Store covered in the refrigerator, for up to 3 days.

CLASSIC MACARONI SALAD



Classic Macaroni Salad image

This classic macaroni salad recipe is a refreshingly light take on an all-time favorite. It's perfect for a fast weeknight dinner or festive weekend barbecue. -Dorothy Bayes, Sardis, Ohio

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch     Side Dishes

Time 30m

Yield 8 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 12

2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
1 cup fat-free mayonnaise
2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish
2 teaspoons sugar
3/4 teaspoon ground mustard
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1/2 cup chopped celery
1/3 cup chopped carrot
1/4 cup chopped onion
1 hard-boiled large egg, chopped
Dash paprika

Steps:

  • Cook macaroni according to package directions; drain and rinse with cold water. Cool completely. , For dressing, in a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, pickle relish, sugar substitute, mustard, salt and pepper. In a large bowl, combine the macaroni, celery, carrot and onion. Add dressing and toss gently to coat. , Refrigerate until serving. Garnish with egg and paprika.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 115 calories, Fat 2g fat (0 saturated fat), Cholesterol 27mg cholesterol, Sodium 362mg sodium, Carbohydrate 21g carbohydrate (6g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 4g protein. Diabetic Exchanges

THE BEST MACARONI SALAD YOU WILL EVER HAVE!!



The BEST Macaroni Salad You Will EVER Have!! image

This macaroni salad has been in my family for generations. and I have never had anyone say they don't love it! I have friends who constantly ask me for the recipe, yet I have never given it out....until now. This salad is the BEST macaroni salad in the world, you just gotta try it to believe me! Please rate if you like it! I love to serve this with hamburgers or bratwurst on a summer day! This goes very well at any party and even at Thanksgiving!

Provided by nyghtspydr

Categories     Salad     Seafood Salad Recipes     Tuna Salad Recipes

Time 2h30m

Yield 14

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 (16 ounce) package elbow macaroni
1 (12 ounce) can tuna in water, drained and flaked
6 hard-cooked eggs, chopped
2 large tomatoes, finely chopped
1 large white onion, finely chopped
1 cucumber, finely chopped
3 cups creamy salad dressing (such as Miracle Whip®)
½ cup 2% milk
¼ cup white sugar, or to taste
3 tablespoons prepared yellow mustard
1 ½ tablespoons ground black pepper, or to taste
½ tablespoon salt, or to taste

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni in the boiling water until cooked through but firm to the bite, 8 minutes; drain. Rinse with cold water to cool completely; drain.
  • Mix macaroni, tuna, eggs, tomatoes, onion, and cucumber in a large mixing bowl.
  • Whisk salad dressing and milk together in a separate bowl until smooth. Beat sugar, mustard, pepper, and salt into the dressing mixture; pour over the macaroni mixture and stir to coat.
  • Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 2 hours.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 367.3 calories, Carbohydrate 38.1 g, Cholesterol 115.9 mg, Fat 17.1 g, Fiber 1.9 g, Protein 13.9 g, SaturatedFat 2.7 g, Sodium 761.6 mg, Sugar 13.3 g

MOM'S BEST MACARONI SALAD



Mom's Best Macaroni Salad image

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

16 ounces uncooked elbow macaroni
4 carrots, shredded
1 large red onion, chopped
½ green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
½ red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
1 cup chopped celery
2 cups mayonnaise
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
½ cup white sugar
½ cup white vinegar
salt and pepper to taste

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

PIONEER WOMAN'S BEST MACARONI SALAD EVER



Pioneer Woman's Best Macaroni Salad Ever image

From the Pioneer Woman. Feel free to add more or less sugar, salt and pepper to the dressing. Also add more of olives, onions, pickles or peppers, however much you like. You can also use canned pimentos in place of the red peppers.

Provided by linguinelisa

Categories     Potluck

Time 25m

Yield 12 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 12

4 cups macaroni
3 whole roasted red peppers, chopped
1/2 cup diced sweet and spicy pickle
1/2 cup black olives, chopped fine
3 whole green onions, sliced
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar or 1 tablespoon distilled vinegar
3 teaspoons sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
plenty fresh ground black pepper
1/4 cup milk
splash pickle juice

Steps:

  • Cook macaroni in lightly salted water till done. Drain in a colander and rinse with cold water. Set aside.
  • Mix mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, salt, pepper, milk and pickle juice in medium sized bowl.
  • In large bowl place cooked macaroni. Add about 3/4's of the mayonnaise mixture to the macaroni. Next add the peppers, pickles, olives and onions. If needed, add the remaining dressing. Add a splash of pickle juice to the salad. The salad dressing will thicken up after refrigeration.
  • Refrigerate for at least two hours before serving.

CONTEST-WINNING PICNIC PASTA SALAD



Contest-Winning Picnic Pasta Salad image

My family's not big on traditional pasta salads made with mayonnaise, so when I served this colorful version that uses Italian dressing, it was a big hit. This crowd-pleaser is loaded with vegetables, beans and tricolor pasta. It's one of the best picnic salad ideas! -Felicia Fiocchi, Vineland, New Jersey

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch     Side Dishes

Time 25m

Yield 16 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 package (12 ounces) tricolor spiral pasta
1 package (10 ounces) refrigerated tricolor tortellini
1 jar (7-1/2 ounces) marinated artichoke hearts, undrained
1/2 pound fresh broccoli florets (about 1-3/4 cups)
12 ounces provolone cheese, cubed
12 ounces hard salami, cubed
1 medium sweet red pepper, chopped
1 medium green pepper, chopped
1 can (15 ounces) garbanzo beans or chickpeas, rinsed and drained
2 cans (2-1/4 ounces each) sliced ripe olives, drained
1 medium red onion, chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 envelopes Italian salad dressing mix

Steps:

  • Cook spiral pasta and tortellini according to package directions. Drain and rinse in cold water. Place in a large bowl; add the artichokes, broccoli, provolone cheese, salami, peppers, beans, olives, onion and garlic. , Prepare salad dressing according to package directions; pour over salad and toss to coat. Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 411 calories, Fat 23g fat (8g saturated fat), Cholesterol 43mg cholesterol, Sodium 1156mg sodium, Carbohydrate 33g carbohydrate (4g sugars, Fiber 4g fiber), Protein 18g protein.

Tips for Creating a Perfect Macaroni Salad:

  • Use high-quality ingredients: Fresh vegetables, flavorful cheese, and a tangy dressing can significantly enhance the taste of your macaroni salad.
  • Cook the macaroni al dente: This will ensure that the pasta retains a slight bite and doesn't become mushy when mixed with the other ingredients.
  • Make your own dressing: A homemade dressing allows you to control the flavors and adjust them to your liking. It's also a great way to use up leftover ingredients.
  • Don't overcrowd the salad: Too many ingredients can make the salad difficult to mix and may overpower the flavors of the macaroni and dressing.
  • Chill the salad before serving: This will help the flavors to meld and will make the salad more refreshing.

Conclusion:

Creating a delicious and crowd-pleasing macaroni salad is easy when you follow the tips and recipes provided in this article. With careful attention to ingredient selection, cooking techniques, and flavor balance, you can create a dish that will be enjoyed by everyone. Whether you're looking for a classic macaroni salad recipe or something with a unique twist, you're sure to find a recipe in this article that suits your taste. So gather your ingredients, put on your apron, and get ready to make a macaroni salad that will be the star of your next gathering!

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