Mac n cheese salad is a delectable dish that combines the classic comfort food of macaroni and cheese with the refreshing elements of a salad. It is a delightful blend of flavors and textures, featuring tender macaroni, creamy cheese, and crisp vegetables. This versatile dish can be enjoyed as a main course, a side dish, or a potluck favorite. In this article, we will explore some of the best recipes for mac n cheese salad, providing a variety of options to suit different preferences and dietary restrictions. Whether you're looking for a traditional recipe or a healthier version, we've got you covered. So, get ready to embark on a culinary journey filled with cheesy goodness and vibrant flavors.
Here are our top 13 tried and tested recipes!
MACARONI AND CHEESE PASTA SALAD
One of my co-workers shared this recipe with us when everybody raved over it. I use this as a fast-fix dinners, as it can be made from last night's macaroni and cheese, and prep time is under 15 minutes.
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Lunch
Time 15m
Yield 2 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- In a small bowl, combine the macaroni and cheese, peas, celery and onion. Combine the mayonnaise, celery salt and seed. Add to macaroni mixture; stir to coat.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 324 calories, Fat 20g fat (7g saturated fat), Cholesterol 33mg cholesterol, Sodium 562mg sodium, Carbohydrate 24g carbohydrate (6g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 11g protein.
MACARONI AND CHEESE PEA SALAD
Made from boxed macaroni&cheese dinner. The cheese/macaroni mixture gives this a unique twist to typical macaroni salad. I've never made it from homemade cheese & macaroni, but I imagine it would work fine. Sometimes I use leftover macaroni & cheese dinner and adjust the rest of the ingredients accordingly. This is one of our quick and easy family favorites. Enjoy!!
Provided by BakinBaby
Categories Vegetable
Time 40m
Yield 8-10 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Cook macaroni & cheese dinner per box directions; cool. (If you're using leftover macaroni, adjust the remaining ingredients accordingly).
- Add chopped eggs, celery, onion, green onion to cooled macaroni & cheese.
- Stir in mayonnaise and seasonings.
- Gently stir in thawed peas and season to taste.
- As with all salads, season to taste.
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.
THE WORLDS BEST MACARONI AND CHEESE SALAD
I usually don't measure and I usually make this for big family gatherings. So Take away from the recipe as you see fit. I get a whole lot of complements on this salad and I enjoy it myself. The bacon bits add crunch and taste.
Provided by Christina M
Categories Cheese
Time 50m
Yield 10-13 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Boil macaroni.
- Dice onion.
- Cut olives/cheese/eggs (eggs in big chunks).
- When macaroni is done, drain and rinse until mac is cool.
- Add all ingredients at one at a time stirring in between.
- Add mayo; stir--add mayo; stir.
- Add salt and pepper to taste.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 463.8, Fat 24.1, SaturatedFat 8.3, Cholesterol 224.7, Sodium 972.6, Carbohydrate 41.7, Fiber 4.5, Sugar 2.2, Protein 20.7
CHEDDAR AND MACARONI SALAD
This is a good make-ahead side dish for a summer dinner.
Provided by Karena
Categories Salad 100+ Pasta Salad Recipes Vegetarian Pasta Salad Recipes
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Cook pasta in boiling salted water until done. Drain. Rinse macaroni under cold water, and drain again.
- Combine pasta with cheese, vegetables, mayonnaise, sour cream, milk, and pickle relish. Chill for at least 24 hours.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 243.4 calories, Carbohydrate 19.2 g, Cholesterol 25.4 mg, Fat 15.2 g, Fiber 1.7 g, Protein 7.9 g, SaturatedFat 6 g, Sodium 213.5 mg, Sugar 3.6 g
MAC 'N' CHEESE SALAD
"This salad is so easy to make, and it tastes even better the next day," assures Doris Moore of Augusta, Illinois. Extra macaroni and cheese is the key to the cool creamy mixture that's seasoned with a pinch of dill.
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Lunch
Time 10m
Yield 2-3 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- In a serving bowl, combine all of the ingredients. Serve immediately.
Nutrition Facts :
MACARONI CHEESE SALAD
Delicious pasta salad with cheese cubes, bacon, peas and seasonings. An adaptation of an original recipe from a cookbook of the Junior League of Lynchburg, VA entitled Good Cookin' From the Heart of Virginia.
Provided by christina white
Categories Cheese
Time 43m
Yield 8-10 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Cook macaroni according to package directions; drain.
- Rinse with cold water; drain.
- Combine macaroni, cheese, onions, celery and green pepper; set aside.
- Mix together sour cream, mayonnaise, mustard and seasonings.
- Pour over macaroni mixture and stir gently.
- Add thawed peas and bacon and parsley to macaroni.
- Toss.
- Sprinkle salad with paprika and serve.
CLASSIC MACARONI SALAD
Creamy dishes like Alex's macaroni salad are a perfect match for fresh dill. "I love dill with mayonnaise," she says. "It's grassy and light."
Provided by Alex Guarnaschelli
Categories side-dish
Time 45m
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Make the dressing: In a large bowl, whisk the mayonnaise, mustard, vinegar, soy sauce and hot sauce until smooth. Drain and dry the red onion and stir it into the dressing along with the bell pepper, scallions and a generous pinch of salt.
- Make the pasta: In a large pot, bring 4 quarts of water to a rolling boil. Add a generous amount of salt. Add the pasta and cook, stirring from time to time, until al dente (chewy but not hard or raw tasting), 6 to 10 minutes. Drain; do not rinse the pasta. Spread it out on a large baking sheet to cool slightly, 5 to 10 minutes.
- While the pasta is still warm, add it to the bowl with the dressing and let sit at room temperature, 10 to 15 minutes. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. Stir in the dill and basil just before serving and taste for seasoning.
MACARONI AND CHEESE SALAD
The vinegar and cheese help to make this a unique macaroni salad.
Provided by Sally Dickson
Categories Salad 100+ Pasta Salad Recipes Tomato Pasta Salad Recipes
Time 1h25m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 10
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 pasta and vinegar. Mix well and allow to sit 15-20 minutes.
- Add cheese, peppers, celery, green onions, tomatoes, mayonnaise and seasonings. Mix well and refrigerate until chilled.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 446.6 calories, Carbohydrate 23 g, Cholesterol 33.7 mg, Fat 35.9 g, Fiber 1.4 g, Protein 8.8 g, SaturatedFat 8.4 g, Sodium 354.2 mg, Sugar 1.7 g
MACARONI & CHEESE SALAD
This was on a local cooking show the other day and looks like it will be a good and EASY recipe any potluck event.
Provided by Sherrybeth
Categories Lunch/Snacks
Time 1h
Yield 15-20 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Boil macaroni according to package directions. Drain and rinse in cold water.
- Dice onions, slice olives, cube cheese, and cut eggs in big chunks.
- Add all onions, olives, cheese ,and eggs to macaroni one at a time.
- Combine mayonnaise and dijon mustard.
- Toss into macaroni salad.
- Add bacon bits and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Toss well to mix.
- Refrigerate to chill.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 356.9, Fat 20.3, SaturatedFat 5.9, Cholesterol 168.8, Sodium 784, Carbohydrate 31.5, Fiber 3, Sugar 2.3, Protein 12.9
MACARONI AND CHEESE SALAD
I found this recipe in my Sunday paper and had to make it right away. Cook time includes chilling time.
Provided by Shari2
Categories Cheese
Time 3h15m
Yield 16 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Cook the elbow macaroni until al dente and rinse under cold water.
- Mix all the dry ingredients together.
- Mix the mayonnaise, sour cream, vinegar, salt and mustard together.
- Add the mayonnaise mixture to the macaroni mixture.
- Chill for 2 to 3 hours to mix flavors.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 119.3, Fat 5.8, SaturatedFat 3.3, Cholesterol 35.4, Sodium 236.8, Carbohydrate 11.3, Fiber 0.8, Sugar 1.4, Protein 5.4
PIMENTO CHEESE MACARONI SALAD
This is inspired by a delicious and creamy pimento dip that my best friend makes whenever we do a weekend barbecue shindig. I decided to make a pasta salad version of that dish featuring elbow macaroni. The addition of diced red bell pepper adds a crunch of freshness that pairs perfectly with the creaminess of the ingredients. This fun and comforting salad is delicious warm or room temperature but can also be made in advance and served cold.
Provided by Food Network
Categories side-dish
Time 25m
Yield 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of salted boiling water to a rolling boil. Add the macaroni and cook until al dente, about 1 minute less than package directions suggest.
- Meanwhile, in a large bowl, mix the cream cheese, mayonnaise, pimento peppers, Cheddar, chives, smoked paprika, garlic, hot sauce and a pinch of salt and black pepper together until thoroughly combined.
- Transfer the cooked macaroni directly to the large bowl with the cheese mixture and mix until everything is thoroughly combined. Fold in the red bell pepper and garnish with more smoked paprika. Serve immediately or chill in the fridge until ready to serve.
MACARONI SALAD
Macaroni salad, a cookout favorite, doesn't take much to be great - just the right amount of moisture and seasoning. This version draws its inspiration from the macaroni salad at the Kennedy Fried Chicken restaurants. For the perfect balance, use a more savory brand of mayonnaise here, since the recipe gets its sweetness from a bit of sugar and shredded carrots. Make sure the macaroni salad is cold when you serve it; the only time macaroni has to be served hot is when it's covered in mounds of cheese, like this Southern Macaroni and Cheese.
Provided by Millie Peartree
Categories noodles, salads and dressings, side dish
Time 30m
Yield 8 to 10 servings (3 quarts)
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook noodles until a little past al dente, then rinse under cold water and drain. Once the noodles are cool enough to handle with your hands, transfer them to a large bowl.
- Add the celery, bell pepper, carrots and onion to the cooled noodles; toss to combine.
- Prepare the dressing: In a medium bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, vinegar, sugar, mustard, salt and pepper.
- Pour dressing over the pasta mixture and toss until everything is well coated. Taste and season with more salt and pepper, if desired. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and chill for at least 1 hour before serving.
Tips:
- Use high-quality ingredients: The better the ingredients, the better the salad will taste. Use fresh vegetables, a good quality cheese, and a flavorful dressing.
- Cook the macaroni al dente: This will prevent it from becoming mushy in the salad.
- Let the macaroni cool completely before adding it to the salad: This will help to prevent the salad from becoming watery.
- Be generous with the cheese: Macaroni salad is all about the cheese, so don't be afraid to add a lot. A good rule of thumb is to use about 1 cup of cheese per pound of macaroni.
- Use a flavorful dressing: The dressing is what really brings the salad together. Use a dressing that is tangy, creamy, and flavorful.
- Add some mix-ins: Macaroni salad is a great way to use up leftover vegetables, meats, or cheeses. Feel free to add whatever you like to your salad.
Conclusion:
Macaroni salad is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. It is perfect for potlucks, picnics, and barbecues. With so many different variations to choose from, there is sure to be a macaroni salad recipe that everyone will love.
Are you curently on diet or you just want to control your food's nutritions, ingredients? We will help you find recipes by cooking method, nutrition, ingredients...
Check it out »
You'll also love