Best 3 Main Dish Macaroni Salad Recipes

Craving a delightful and comforting main dish macaroni salad? Look no further! In this comprehensive guide, we've gathered a collection of delectable macaroni salad recipes that are sure to tantalize your taste buds and satisfy your hunger. From classic macaroni salads bursting with fresh vegetables to innovative twists featuring unexpected ingredients; you'll find the perfect recipe to suit your preferences and occasion. So, grab your apron and get ready to create a scrumptious macaroni salad that will become a family favorite.

Let's cook with our recipes!

MACARONI SALAD

Macaroni Salad image

Macaroni Salad is quick to throw together and so DELICIOUS! A versatile, fool-proof pasta salad with an incredible creamy dressing perfect to take to gatherings, Bbq's, lunches and dinners. Or serve as a popular side dish!

Provided by Karina

Categories Salad

Time 25m

Number Of Ingredients 16

Ingredients

8 oz (250g) dry macaroni pasta
1/2 medium red bell pepper (capsicum), (seeded and finely chopped)
1/2 medium red onion, (finely diced)
1 small carrot, (peeled and shredded)
2 dill pickles, (finely chopped)
1/4 cup chopped celery
1 cup mayonnaise, ((S&W, Best Foods, Hellmann's, Japanese or any whole egg mayo))
1/4 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons white vinegar, ((adjust to taste))
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, (chopped)
1 tablespoon fresh chives
1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper

Steps:

Bring large pot of salted water to the boil over high heat. Add the pasta and boil until al dente (just fork-tender), or follow packet directions.
While pasta is boiling, prepare/chop SALAD ingredients and add them to a large serving bowl.
Mix DRESSING ingredients together in a small bowl.
Once pasta is cooked, drain and rinse under cool running water. Drain well and add to the rest of the SALAD ingredients in the large serving bowl.
Pour over DRESSING and toss well to evenly combine. Adjust salt, pepper and vinegar to taste.
Set aside for at least 15 minutes to let the ingredients warm close to room temperature and settle into each other before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 403 kcal, Carbohydrate 34 g, Protein 6 g, Fat 27 g, SaturatedFat 4 g, Fiber 2 g, Sugar 4 g, ServingSize 1 serving

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

Ingredients

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

Ingredients

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

Tips:

Use high-quality ingredients, including fresh vegetables, flavorful cheeses, and a tangy dressing.
Cook the macaroni al dente according to the package instructions, then rinse it immediately with cold water to stop the cooking process and prevent it from becoming mushy.
Allow the cooked macaroni to cool completely before assembling the salad. This will help prevent the salad from becoming watery.
If you are using a lot of vegetables, blanch them briefly in boiling water before adding them to the salad. This will help to preserve their color and crunch.
Feel free to experiment with different ingredients and flavors to create your own unique macaroni salad recipe.

Conclusion:

Macaroni salad is a versatile dish that can be enjoyed as a side dish, a main course, or a potluck dish. It is a great way to use up leftover macaroni and vegetables, and it is also a delicious and affordable meal. With so many different variations to choose from, there is sure to be a macaroni salad recipe that everyone will enjoy.