Best 3 Main Dish Mac Salad Recipes

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Welcome to the world of culinary delights, where flavors dance on your palate and memories are made over the dinner table! Are you looking for a dish that combines the comfort of a hearty main course with the freshness and crunch of a crisp salad? Look no further than the irresistible "main dish mac salad." This delectable dish elevates the classic macaroni salad to new heights, transforming it into a satisfying and flavorful meal. Get ready to embark on a culinary journey as we explore the secrets behind creating the perfect main dish mac salad, guaranteed to impress your taste buds and leave you craving more.

Let's cook with our recipes!

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

MAIN DISH MACARONI SALAD



Main Dish Macaroni Salad image

A nice dish to bring to a barbecue. Can be made the night before, but keep the tomatoes out until a couple hours before serving.

Provided by Jill M.

Categories     Salad     100+ Pasta Salad Recipes     Tomato Pasta Salad Recipes

Yield 7

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 cup mayonnaise
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
¼ cup chopped parsley
2 tablespoons milk
1 clove garlic, minced
2 cups corkscrew pasta
1 ½ cups diced ham
2 cups halved cherry tomatoes

Steps:

  • Cook pasta in a large pot of boiling water until al dente. Drain, rinse, and drain once more. Set aside.
  • In a large bowl, combine mayonnaise, grated cheese, parsley, milk, and garlic. Mix well. Stir in pasta, ham, and tomatoes. Chill several hours.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 342.2 calories, Carbohydrate 14.2 g, Cholesterol 29.1 mg, Fat 28.7 g, Fiber 1 g, Protein 7.8 g, SaturatedFat 5.3 g, Sodium 555.7 mg, Sugar 0.6 g

MAIN DISH MAC SALAD



Main Dish Mac Salad image

This is delicious served on a bed a lettuce for a summer dinner,or as a side for hamburgers or hot dogs.Great for potlucks.

Provided by Divinemom5

Categories     Tuna

Time 15m

Yield 8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 10

4 cups cooked pasta (shell,macaroni,or curly)
1 cup chopped green onion
2 cans tuna in water, drained
2 cups cubed colby cheese (or cheddar,jack)
6 hard boiled eggs, chopped
1 (8 ounce) package frozen peas, thawed (I prefer petite peas)
2 teaspoons dill weed
1/2 cup dill pickle relish
2 cups salad dressing (Miracle Whip,or mayonnaise if you prefer)
salt and pepper

Steps:

  • Mix all ingredients together except salad dressing.
  • Add salad dressing and stir.
  • Chill.
  • If needed,add more salad dressing,to make salad creamy before serving.

Tips for Making the Best Macaroni Salad

  • Use high-quality ingredients. The fresher and better quality your ingredients are, the more delicious your macaroni salad will be. Buy fresh vegetables, good quality mayonnaise, and freshly ground black pepper. Using high-quality ingredients will make a big difference in the flavor of your salad.
  • Cook the macaroni al dente. Al dente means "to the tooth" in Italian. It refers to the texture of pasta that is cooked through but still has a slight bite to it. This will prevent the macaroni from becoming mushy in the salad.
  • Cool the macaroni before assembling the salad. This will help to prevent the salad from becoming watery. You can cool the macaroni by rinsing it with cold water or by placing it in a colander and letting it cool at room temperature.
  • Use a variety of vegetables. This will add color, flavor, and texture to the salad. Some good vegetables to use include celery, carrots, onions, bell peppers, and pickles. You can also add cooked chicken, ham, or tuna to the salad for extra protein.
  • Use a good quality mayonnaise. The mayonnaise is the base of the dressing, so it's important to use a good quality one. Look for a mayonnaise that is made with fresh eggs and oil. Avoid mayonnaise that contains a lot of sugar or artificial ingredients.
  • Season the salad to taste. Add salt, pepper, and other seasonings to taste. You can also add a bit of Dijon mustard or apple cider vinegar for extra flavor.
  • Chill the salad before serving. This will help to allow the flavors to meld together and make the salad more refreshing.

Conclusion

Macaroni salad is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. It's perfect for potlucks, picnics, and barbecues. With so many different variations, there's sure to be a macaroni salad recipe that everyone will love. So next time you're looking for a side dish that's easy to make and always a hit, give macaroni salad a try.

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