Best 6 Classic Old Fashioned Macaroni Salad Recipes

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Transport yourself back to the days of backyard barbecues and family gatherings with the quintessential classic old-fashioned macaroni salad. This timeless recipe blends the creamy richness of mayonnaise and tangy mustard with the hearty goodness of cooked elbow macaroni, crisp celery, and sweet relish. It's a staple dish that has stood the test of time, offering a delightful balance of flavors and textures that will leave you craving more.

Let's cook with our recipes!

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

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

OLD-FASHIONED MACARONI SALAD



Old-Fashioned Macaroni Salad image

Provided by Food Network

Categories     side-dish

Time 2h35m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 11

4 eggs
1 pound large elbow macaroni
4 ounces ham steak, finely chopped
2 stalks chopped celery, including leaves
1 large shallot, chopped
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2/3 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 (4-ounce) jar chopped pimentos, drained
3 tablespoons sweet pickled relish
Kosher salt and pepper

Steps:

  • To make the hard-boiled eggs: Add the eggs to a medium-sized saucepan. Cover with cold water and bring up to a boil over medium heat. Cover with a lid and turn off the heat. Let the eggs sit in the hot water for 14 minutes. Drain and cool under cold running water. Peel the eggs and chop. Reserve.
  • While the eggs are cooking, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat and add the macaroni. Cook until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water.
  • In a large serving bowl, combine the eggs, ham steak, celery, shallots and lemon juice Add the macaroni and stir to combine.
  • In a separate bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, mustard, pickled relish, and salt and pepper, to taste. Add the dressing to the macaroni and toss to coat. Season with more salt and pepper, if needed. Cover and chill for 2 hours for the flavors to meld.

OLD FASHIONED MACARONI SALAD



Old Fashioned Macaroni Salad image

My family has been making this for years, and it is my absolute favorite dish!

Provided by Jennie Minor

Categories     Salad     100+ Pasta Salad Recipes     Seafood Pasta Salad Recipes

Yield 10

Number Of Ingredients 10

2 cups macaroni
2 (5 ounce) cans tuna, drained
1 onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
2 tablespoons garlic powder
1 ½ cups mayonnaise
2 tablespoons prepared mustard
salt to taste
ground black pepper to taste

Steps:

  • Cook noodles in a large pot of boiling water until al dente. Rinse under cold water, and drain.
  • Mix tuna, onion, bell pepper, celery, garlic powder, mayonnaise, salt and pepper, and mustard together in a large bowl. Add pasta, and mix well.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 359.7 calories, Carbohydrate 19.9 g, Cholesterol 20.1 mg, Fat 26.9 g, Fiber 1.4 g, Protein 10.2 g, SaturatedFat 4.1 g, Sodium 243.9 mg, Sugar 2.2 g

CLASSIC OLD FASHIONED MACARONI SALAD RECIPE - (4.6/5)



Classic Old Fashioned Macaroni Salad Recipe - (4.6/5) image

Provided by Tabatha

Number Of Ingredients 15

Dressing:
1/2 cup of mayonnaise
2 tablespoons of pickle juice or vinegar
1 tablespoon of granulated sugar
1 tablespoon of Creole or other spicy brown mustard
1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt
Salad:
2 cups of dry elbow macaroni
1 teaspoon of olive oil
1 cup of chopped sweet onion
1/4 cup of chopped celery
1 (2 ounce) jar of pimentos, drained
1/8 cup of chopped pickles, sweet or dill
1/4 cup of pickle juice, optional
Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste

Steps:

  • In a large serving bowl, whisk together the dressing ingredients; set aside. Cook pasta in well salted water until al dente according to package directions. Drain, rinse and drizzle with olive oil; add to serving bowl. Top with the onion, celery, pimentos, pickles and pickle juice and toss. Taste, add salt and pepper, taste and adjust as needed. Refrigerate before serving for at least 2 hours, or overnight, if possible; toss again before serving, stirring in additional mayonnaise or pickle juice if more moisture is needed. Cook's Notes: I use Zatarain's Creole mustard and bread and butter fridge pickles and juice. Other add-ins: Sliced or chopped black or green olives, chopped or grated carrot, green, red or yellow bell pepper, red onion, frozen, thawed green peas, sliced green onion, chopped, boiled eggs, seeded and chopped tomatoes, seeded and chopped cucumber, cooked, crumbled bacon, shredded or cubed cheese, Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, and fresh herbs are all good choices. Tip: For a pretty presentation, garnish with a little paprika and lay slices of hard boiled eggs across the top. Top with cooked, crumbled bacon and chopped fresh parsley. Can also serve on individual chilled salad plates dressed with lettuce leaves or shredded lettuce, with a garnish of crumbled egg and cooked bacon. Variation: Add 2 cups of cooked chicken (canned okay), 1-1/2 cups of cubed ham, 2 cups of small, cooked shrimp, drained, canned salmon alone, or in combination with, 2 cans of tuna, well drained, or just use the tuna alone.

OLD-FASHIONED EASY MACARONI SALAD RECIPE



Old-Fashioned Easy Macaroni Salad Recipe image

Try our Old-Fashioned Easy Macaroni Salad Recipe. All it takes is just one taste to see why this delicious recipe is a rich and creamy classic.

Provided by My Food and Family

Categories     Recipes

Time 2h30m

Yield 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 7

2 cups small pasta shells, uncooked
1/2 cup chopped red peppers
1/2 cup chopped cucumbers
2 green onions, chopped
1/2 cup KRAFT Real Mayo Mayonnaise
1/2 cup KRAFT Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing
1/4 tsp. black pepper

Steps:

  • Cook pasta as directed on package, omitting salt; drain. Cool slightly.
  • Combine pasta and vegetables in large bowl. Mix remaining ingredients until blended. Add to pasta mixture; mix lightly.
  • Refrigerate 2 hours or until chilled.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 230, Fat 14 g, SaturatedFat 2 g, TransFat 0 g, Cholesterol 5 mg, Sodium 230 mg, Carbohydrate 0 g, Fiber 1 g, Sugar 0 g, Protein 3 g

Tips:

  • Use the best ingredients you can find. This means fresh vegetables, high-quality mayonnaise, and a flavorful mustard. Avoid using pre-packaged or store-bought ingredients whenever possible.
  • Don't overcook the macaroni. Al dente pasta is the perfect texture for macaroni salad. If you overcook it, it will become mushy and lose its flavor.
  • Let the macaroni salad chill for at least an hour before serving. This will allow the flavors to meld and the salad to firm up.
  • Experiment with different ingredients. There are many ways to customize macaroni salad to your own taste. Try adding different vegetables, cheeses, or meats. You can also use different types of dressing, such as a vinaigrette or a creamy dressing made with sour cream or yogurt.

Conclusion:

Macaroni salad is a classic summer side dish that is easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser. With its simple ingredients and endless variations, it's a dish that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy side dish, give macaroni salad a try. You won't be disappointed!

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