Best 9 Macaroni Salad Recipe Easy Recipes
Macaroni salad, a classic side dish, is a versatile dish that can be enjoyed for lunch, dinner, or as a picnic staple. Whether you prefer a creamy, mayonnaise-based dressing or a tangy vinegar-based one, there are endless variations to suit every palate. With just a few simple ingredients and a little creativity, you can create a macaroni salad that will be the star of your next gathering. From classic recipes passed down through generations to modern twists that incorporate unique flavors and textures, this article will guide you through the process of making a delicious and memorable macaroni salad.
Here are our top 9 tried and tested recipes!
SUPER EASY MACARONI SALAD
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
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
CLASSIC MACARONI SALAD
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
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
Provided by Food Network
Categories side-dish
Time 2h35m
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 11
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
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
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
EASY MACARONI SALAD
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
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.
CLASSIC MACARONI SALAD
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
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
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.
EASY ELBOW MACARONI SALAD
Can be made ahead, kid friendly, quick and easy. I got this from a pasta website. Nice to make for a BBQ or summer side dish. It's a crowd pleaser! For a full 1 lb. (16 oz.)box of pasta, just double the recipe. I usually make this with regular mayo and milk since that's what I have in the house.
Provided by Oolala
Categories Kid Friendly
Time 50m
Yield 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Cook and drain pasta according to package directions; rinse with cold water to cool.
- In large bowl combine mayonnaise, milk, vinegar, mustard, sugar, salt and pepper.
- Add macaroni, celery, green pepper and onion; toss to coat.
- Cover; chill to blend flavors.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 302.1, Fat 14, SaturatedFat 2.2, Cholesterol 14.4, Sodium 561.3, Carbohydrate 37, Fiber 2.2, Sugar 5.1, Protein 6.3
MACARONI SALAD
I was hesitant about posting this recipe - it's the macaroni salad I grew up with, and pretty basic. But it is so darned good that I decided to go ahead.
Provided by evelynathens
Categories Kid Friendly
Time 27m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Combine dressing ingredients.
- Stir into remaining ingredients.
- Cover and chill.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 237.3, Fat 1.2, SaturatedFat 0.2, Sodium 651, Carbohydrate 47.6, Fiber 3.4, Sugar 4.6, Protein 8.4
Tips:
- Use high-quality ingredients: Fresh, flavorful ingredients will make your macaroni salad taste its best. Look for high-quality mayonnaise, mustard, and vinegar. You can also use freshly grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh herbs.
- Cook the macaroni al dente: The macaroni should be cooked al dente, or slightly firm, so that it can hold its shape in the salad. If you overcook the macaroni, it will become mushy and the salad will be less enjoyable.
- Chill the macaroni salad before serving: This will help the flavors to meld and the salad will be more refreshing. You can chill the salad for at least 30 minutes, or up to overnight.
- Add your favorite mix-ins: Macaroni salad is a versatile dish that can be customized to your liking. Some popular mix-ins include chopped celery, onion, bell pepper, and hard-boiled eggs. You can also add cooked chicken, ham, or tuna. Get creative and experiment with different ingredients to find your perfect macaroni salad recipe.
Conclusion:
Macaroni salad is a classic summer dish that is easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser. With a few simple ingredients and a little bit of time, you can create a delicious macaroni salad that will be the star of your next potluck or picnic. So next time you're looking for a refreshing and flavorful side dish, give macaroni salad a try. You won't be disappointed!
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