Best 6 Macaroni Salad For A Crowd Recipes

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Planning a party or a potluck and need a delicious and easy recipe to feed a large crowd? Look no further than the classic macaroni salad! This timeless dish is a crowd-pleaser, thanks to its combination of textures and flavors. With its creamy mayonnaise dressing, tender macaroni, and crunchy vegetables, macaroni salad is sure to be a hit with everyone. Whether served as a side dish or as a main course, this versatile salad is a perfect choice for any occasion. With a few simple ingredients and a bit of preparation, you can whip up a delicious macaroni salad that will be the star of the show.

Here are our top 6 tried and tested recipes!

MY MOM'S AWESOME MACARONI SALAD (ENOUGH TO FEED A CROWD!)



My Mom's Awesome Macaroni Salad (enough to feed a crowd!) image

This was my Mom's recipe. She never wrote anything down, so the amounts on the seasonings are estimates and 'to taste.' She always said the key ingredient was 'love.'

Provided by MHudson

Categories     Salad     Seafood Salad Recipes     Shrimp Salad Recipes

Time 1h35m

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 (16 ounce) package elbow macaroni
2 ½ cups mayonnaise
¼ cup white vinegar
1 ½ teaspoons seasoned salt, or to taste
1 teaspoon white sugar
1 teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon ground black pepper, or to taste
2 (5 ounce) cans chunk light tuna in water, drained and flaked
2 (4 ounce) cans baby shrimp, drained
1 large cucumber, seeded and chopped
1 small sweet onion, chopped
4 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
2 hard-boiled eggs, sliced
1 pinch paprika

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until cooked through but firm to the bite, 8 minutes; drain. Rinse macaroni with cold water until chilled; drain.
  • Mix mayonnaise, white vinegar, seasoned salt, sugar, garlic powder, and black pepper in a large bowl with a whisk until smooth. Stir tuna, baby shrimp, cucumber, and sweet onion into the mayonnaise mixture to coat ingredients completely; add chopped eggs and stir. Pour chilled macaroni into the bowl and stir; top with sliced eggs. Garnish salad with paprika.
  • Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 1 hour to overnight before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 560.8 calories, Carbohydrate 31.6 g, Cholesterol 162 mg, Fat 40.2 g, Fiber 1.5 g, Protein 18.4 g, SaturatedFat 6.5 g, Sodium 451.1 mg, Sugar 2.5 g

MACARONI SALAD FOR A CROWD



Macaroni Salad for a Crowd image

Basic and super easy macaroni salad that I make for family gatherings. I make mine with dill relish but you could change it if you prefer the sweet. Looks good and tastes even better the next day. The more you make it, the quicker you will get. Can be served right away, or make it ahead of time and keep it in the fridge.

Provided by Crissy Soares

Categories     Salad     100+ Pasta Salad Recipes     Macaroni Salad Recipes

Time 25m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 (16 ounce) package uncooked macaroni
8 hard-cooked eggs, grated
1 (6 ounce) can black olives, drained and chopped
1 medium red onion, finely chopped
1 (10 ounce) jar dill pickle relish, partially drained
1 tablespoon prepared yellow mustard, or to taste
½ cup mayonnaise, or as needed
salt and black pepper to taste
4 hard-cooked eggs, sliced
paprika to taste

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Place macaroni in the pot, cook for 8 to 10 minutes, until al dente, and drain.
  • In a large bowl, toss the cooked pasta, grated eggs, olives, onion, and relish with some of the liquid. Mix in mustard and mayonnaise, increasing the amount of mayonnaise as desired. Season with salt and pepper. Top with sliced eggs, and sprinkle with paprika to serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 472.1 calories, Carbohydrate 48.2 g, Cholesterol 323.2 mg, Fat 22.6 g, Fiber 3.9 g, Protein 18.3 g, SaturatedFat 4.7 g, Sodium 691.3 mg, Sugar 2.9 g

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

PASTA SALAD FOR A CROWD



Pasta Salad for a Crowd image

This is my go-to pasta salad recipe for a crowd! It's great for showers, picnics, parties, you name it! My mother-in-law taught me to make it. It is easy and very versatile. Today I made it for an event, and I decided to keep track of the measurements so that it could be shared with others who may need a large crowd pasta salad recipe. Hope you enjoy! Better when refrigerated overnight.

Provided by KLATIME

Categories     Salad     100+ Pasta Salad Recipes     Vegetarian Pasta Salad Recipes

Time 1h

Yield 70

Number Of Ingredients 9

3 pounds garden rotini pasta
2 (16 ounce) packages steam-in-bag frozen broccoli florets
6 tomatoes, chopped
2 (16 ounce) bottles Italian-style salad dressing
16 ounces Cheddar cheese, cubed
1 tablespoon salt
1 tablespoon ground black pepper
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon onion powder

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil; cook rotini at a boil until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes.
  • While pasta is boiling, steam broccoli, one bag at a time, in a microwave per directions on the package, 4 to 6 minutes.
  • Rinse cooked pasta in a colander until completely cool. Return to the pot. Add broccoli, tomatoes, salad dressing, Cheddar cheese, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Mix well. Refrigerate until chilled, 30 minutes to 1 hour. Serve cold.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 141.3 calories, Carbohydrate 17.2 g, Cholesterol 6.8 mg, Fat 6.1 g, Fiber 1.2 g, Protein 4.7 g, SaturatedFat 2 g, Sodium 353.9 mg, Sugar 2.1 g

CROWD-PLEASER CLASSIC MACARONI SALAD



Crowd-Pleaser Classic Macaroni Salad image

Make and share this Crowd-Pleaser Classic Macaroni Salad recipe from Food.com.

Provided by GoldsmithLissa

Categories     < 15 Mins

Time 15m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 10

2 cups cooked macaroni
2 hard-cooked eggs, chopped (optional)
1/4 cup chopped celery
1/4 cup chopped onion
1/3-1/2 cup mayonnaise or 1/3-1/2 cup Miracle Whip
1/2 teaspoon mustard
2 teaspoons vinegar
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon pepper

Steps:

  • Combine ingredients. Chill before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 196.9, Fat 7.2, SaturatedFat 1.1, Cholesterol 5.1, Sodium 443, Carbohydrate 28.9, Fiber 1.5, Sugar 4.3, Protein 4.2

MACARONI SALAD FOR 50



Macaroni Salad for 50 image

Make and share this Macaroni Salad for 50 recipe from Food.com.

Provided by Shirl J 831

Categories     < 60 Mins

Time 40m

Yield 50 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 16

3 lbs cooked ham, cubed
3 lbs macaroni, cooked and drained
4 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 (8 ounce) bag frozen peas, thawed
6 cups chopped celery
1 large chopped onion
1 (5 3/4 ounce) can pitted sliced ripe olives
1 quart mayonnaise
4 ounces western brand salad dressing
1/8 cup vinegar
1/8 cup sugar
1/2 cup light cream
1 teaspoon onion salt
1 teaspoon garlic salt
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper

Steps:

  • Make dressing in a separate bowl.
  • Combine all ingredients and pour dressing over salad.
  • Refrigerate.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 306.1, Fat 15.5, SaturatedFat 5.1, Cholesterol 42.8, Sodium 314.7, Carbohydrate 27.5, Fiber 1.4, Sugar 3, Protein 13.8

Tips:

  • For the best macaroni salad, use high-quality ingredients. Fresh vegetables, cooked pasta, and a flavorful dressing will make all the difference.
  • Don't overcook the macaroni. It should be cooked al dente, or slightly firm to the bite.
  • Rinse the macaroni with cold water after cooking to stop the cooking process and prevent it from becoming mushy.
  • Use a variety of vegetables in your macaroni salad. Some popular options include celery, carrots, onions, peas, and bell peppers.
  • Feel free to add other ingredients to your macaroni salad, such as hard-boiled eggs, chopped ham, or crumbled bacon.
  • Make the dressing ahead of time and let it chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before using. This will allow the flavors to meld and develop.
  • Toss the macaroni salad gently to combine the ingredients without breaking up the pasta.
  • Serve the macaroni salad immediately or chill it for later. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Conclusion:

Macaroni salad is a versatile and delicious dish that can be enjoyed as a side dish or main course. With so many different variations to choose from, there's sure to be a macaroni salad recipe that everyone will love. Whether you're looking for a classic macaroni salad or something more unique, these recipes have you covered. So next time you're planning a picnic, potluck, or barbecue, be sure to add macaroni salad to your menu.

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