Best 10 Good N Easy Macaroni Salad Recipes

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Are you tired of bland and uninspired macaroni salads? Craving a dish that strikes the perfect balance between creamy richness and refreshing tanginess? Look no further! We're taking you on a culinary journey to discover the secrets of a truly exceptional macaroni salad – one that will tantalize your taste buds and leave you craving more. From choosing the ideal pasta and vegetables to crafting a lip-smacking sauce, we'll guide you through each step, ensuring every bite is a burst of flavor. So, get ready to embark on a delightful adventure as we explore the world of "good n easy macaroni salad" – a dish that's not only easy to make but also bursting with flavor.

Here are our top 10 tried and tested recipes!

EASY MACARONI SALAD



Easy Macaroni Salad image

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

2 pounds uncooked elbow macaroni
12 hard-boiled large eggs, chopped
2-1/2 pounds fully cooked ham, cubed
1 package (16 ounces) frozen peas, thawed
3 cups sliced celery
1 large green pepper, chopped
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 jar (4 ounces) diced pimientos, drained
4 cups mayonnaise

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.

GOOD 'N EASY MACARONI SALAD



Good 'n Easy Macaroni Salad image

This is a recipe I found while searching for Pacific Island Recipes for ZWT. This is almost exactly the same as the one my Mother made, but she didn't add the carrot. This was found at AlohaWorld.com under Island favorites.

Provided by diner524

Categories     Onions

Time 30m

Yield 8-10 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 7

16 ounces macaroni
5 ounces tuna, drained (I use solid white in water and can use more to make it a main course)
1 -1 1/2 cup mayonnaise, to taste
1 medium onion (peeled and finely diced)
1 carrot (peeled and shredded or grated)
salt & pepper
1 -2 stalk celery (chopped)

Steps:

  • Follow the directions for cooking the macaroni on the package. Drain pasta and rinse with cold water.
  • While the pasta is cooking, cut up the onions, celery and carrot.
  • In a large bowl, add pasta, tuna and vegetables and add one cup of mayonnaise, adding more if needed. Season the salad with salt and pepper to taste. Cover bowl and place in the refrigerator until completely chilled. The longer it is refrigerated the more the flavors will marry.

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.

SIMPLE MACARONI SALAD



Simple Macaroni Salad image

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

1 (16 ounce) package macaroni
2 red bell peppers, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
½ cup chopped green onions
1 stalk celery, chopped
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup mayonnaise
1 packet dry vegetable soup mix

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

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

SUPER EASY MACARONI SALAD



Super Easy Macaroni Salad image

This is great for someone with little time and money. I couldn't find anything this simple when I was looking so I thought I would add it. You can add or substitute many different things. My sister puts chopped sweet pickles. My grandma would put cucumber and canned crab meat and shrimp instead of ham.

Provided by Funandsweet623

Categories     Ham

Time 25m

Yield 8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 5

2 cups macaroni (I use whatever is in my cupboard)
1/2 cup cubed cheese (I prefer cheddar or co-jack)
1/2 cup cubed ham
1/2 cup Miracle Whip (can sub mayo your choice)
1 tablespoon mustard

Steps:

  • Cook,drain and rinse macaroni and put in fridge while you dice up cheese and ham.
  • Mix together cold macaroni, cheese, and ham in a bowl.
  • In a separate bowl mix miracle whip and mustard. (If it is too tangy my mom would put a little sugar in it about a tsp.).
  • Mix it all together and chill or serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 122, Fat 2.2, SaturatedFat 1.2, Cholesterol 4.5, Sodium 90.5, Carbohydrate 20.3, Fiber 0.9, Sugar 0.5, Protein 4.9

BEST MACARONI SALAD



Best Macaroni Salad image

Very easy and delicious! I am constantly asked to bring this salad to parties and picnics. The cheese and ham are key additions to an old favorite.

Provided by JEANDERSON72

Categories     Salad     100+ Pasta Salad Recipes     Macaroni Salad Recipes

Time 4h30m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 (16 ounce) package macaroni
½ cup mayonnaise
1 cup cucumber - peeled, seeded and chopped
1 tablespoon dried minced onion
1 cup diced ham
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
3 tablespoons olive oil
3 tablespoons white wine vinegar
salt and pepper to taste

Steps:

  • In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook pasta until al dente, rinse under cold water and drain.
  • In a large bowl, combine the pasta, mayonnaise and mix well. Stir in cucumber, onion, ham and cheese. Mix well. Drizzle oil and vinegar over top and toss. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 437.3 calories, Carbohydrate 43.8 g, Cholesterol 28.4 mg, Fat 23 g, Fiber 1.9 g, Protein 13.4 g, SaturatedFat 6 g, Sodium 358.8 mg, Sugar 1.9 g

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

QUICK MACARONI SALAD



Quick Macaroni Salad image

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

3/4 cup uncooked elbow macaroni
1/3 cup frozen peas
1/3 cup cubed cheddar cheese
1/4 cup mayonnaise
3 tablespoons chopped celery
1 teaspoon finely chopped onion
1 teaspoon diced pimientos
1 teaspoon finely chopped green pepper
1/8 teaspoon salt

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.

FAST MACARONI SALAD



Fast Macaroni Salad image

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

1/2 cup uncooked elbow macaroni
1/2 cup quartered cherry tomatoes
3 tablespoons chopped celery
3 tablespoons chopped carrot
3 tablespoons chopped peeled cucumber
2 tablespoons chopped radishes
1/4 cup fat-free mayonnaise
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper

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

Tips:

  • Use high-quality ingredients: Fresh vegetables, flavorful cheese, and a good-quality mayonnaise will make a big difference in the taste of your macaroni salad.
  • Cook the macaroni al dente: This means cooking it until it is just tender, but still has a slight bite to it. Overcooked macaroni will be mushy and unpleasant.
  • Chill the macaroni salad before serving: This will help the flavors to meld and will make the salad more refreshing.
  • Add your favorite mix-ins: There are endless possibilities when it comes to adding mix-ins to macaroni salad. Some popular options include hard-boiled eggs, diced celery, chopped red onion, and shredded carrots.
  • Experiment with different dressings: In addition to the classic mayonnaise-based dressing, you can also try making macaroni salad with a vinaigrette or a creamy dressing made with sour cream or Greek yogurt.

Conclusion:

Macaroni salad is a versatile and delicious dish that is perfect for summer gatherings. With so many different variations to choose from, there is sure to be a macaroni salad recipe that everyone will enjoy. So next time you are looking for a refreshing and easy side dish, give macaroni salad a try. You won't be disappointed!

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