Best 3 Picnic Macaroni Salad Recipes

Get ready to relish the delightful flavors of a summer classic — picnic macaroni salad! This versatile dish, often served at potlucks and gatherings, is a symphony of textures and tastes. With its myriad variations, macaroni salad holds a special place in summer cookouts. As the warmth of the sun kisses your skin and the aromas of grilling burgers fill the air, let's embark on a culinary journey to discover the best picnic macaroni salad recipe that suits your taste buds perfectly.

Here are our top 3 tried and tested recipes!

HAM AND MACARONI PICNIC SALAD

Ham and Macaroni Picnic Salad image

Turn left-over ham into a picnic favorite by combining it with eggs and pasta to make a delicious salad - serves a bunch in just 20 minutes!

Provided by By Betty Crocker Kitchens

Categories Side Dish

Time 20m

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 11

Ingredients

4 cups uncooked elbow macaroni (16 oz)
1 cup diced cooked ham
1 cup sliced celery
1/2 cup chopped green onions
1/4 cup sweet pickle relish
1 jar (2 oz) diced pimientos, drained
4 hard-cooked eggs, chopped
1 cup salad dressing or mayonnaise
2 tablespoons yellow mustard
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper

Steps:

Cook and drain macaroni as directed on package. Rinse with cold water to cool; drain well.
In large bowl, mix cooked macaroni, ham, celery, onions, pickle relish and pimientos.
In small bowl, mix all dressing ingredients until well blended. Add to salad; mix well. Gently stir in hard-cooked eggs. Serve immediately, or cover and refrigerate until serving time.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 360, Carbohydrate 40 g, Cholesterol 75 mg, Fat 3, Fiber 2 g, Protein 12 g, SaturatedFat 3 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 630 mg, Sugar 3 g, TransFat 0 g

AMISH PICNIC MACARONI SALAD

Amish Picnic Macaroni Salad image

A Pennsylvania Dutch staple. Something different for your picnic! To save time hard-boil the eggs with the macaroni.

Provided by deedledeet

Categories Salad 100+ Pasta Salad Recipes Macaroni Salad Recipes

Time 4h35m

Yield 10

Number Of Ingredients 11

Ingredients

1 (16 ounce) package elbow macaroni
4 hard-cooked eggs, yolks and whites separated
½ cup chopped celery
½ cup chopped sweet onion
¼ cup shredded carrot
1 cup mayonnaise
3 tablespoons prepared yellow mustard
¾ cup vinegar
¾ cup milk
1 ¼ cups white sugar
½ teaspoon salt

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 with cold water until cool; drain.
Chop egg whites; toss in a bowl with the macaroni, celery, sweet onion, and shredded carrot.
Blend egg yolks, mayonnaise, mustard, vinegar, milk, sugar, and salt in a blender until smooth; pour over the macaroni mixture and stir to coat.
Refrigerate 4 to 5 hours before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 480.6 calories, Carbohydrate 62.8 g, Cholesterol 94.6 mg, Fat 21.2 g, Fiber 2.5 g, Protein 10.2 g, SaturatedFat 3.7 g, Sodium 334.2 mg, Sugar 27.5 g

PICNIC MACARONI SALAD

Picnic Macaroni Salad image

This is a macaroni salad that goes great with baked beans and any barbecued or grilled meat - perfect for a picnic.

Provided by Paula

Categories Salad Seafood Salad Recipes Tuna Salad Recipes

Time 1h

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 9

Ingredients

1 (16 ounce) package macaroni
1 ½ cups ranch dressing
½ cup mayonnaise
1 (6 ounce) can small pitted black olives, juice reserved
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon adobo seasoning
ground black pepper to taste
2 (6 ounce) cans solid white tuna, drained and crumbled
1 small red bell pepper, chopped

Steps:

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Drain and let cool completely, about 30 minutes.
Mix ranch dressing, mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons reserved olive juice, garlic powder, adobo, and pepper together in a bowl.
Pour dressing mixture into cooled macaroni. Add olives, tuna, and red bell pepper to macaroni; stir well to combine. Chill until serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 610.8 calories, Carbohydrate 47.4 g, Cholesterol 30 mg, Fat 37.9 g, Fiber 3.2 g, Protein 19.3 g, SaturatedFat 5.8 g, Sodium 720 mg, Sugar 4 g

Tips:

Use high-quality ingredients: Fresh, flavorful ingredients will make your macaroni salad shine. Look for high-quality pasta, mayonnaise, and vegetables.
Cook the pasta al dente: Al dente pasta will hold its shape better in the salad and won't get mushy.
Use a variety of vegetables: This will give your salad more flavor and texture. Some good choices include celery, onion, bell pepper, carrots, and peas.
Don't overdress the salad: Too much mayonnaise will make the salad heavy and greasy. Use just enough to coat the pasta and vegetables.
Chill the salad before serving: This will help the flavors to meld and will make the salad more refreshing.

Conclusion:

Macaroni salad is a classic picnic side dish that is always a crowd-pleaser. With its creamy, tangy dressing and variety of colorful vegetables, it's a dish that everyone will love. Whether you're making it for a potluck, a backyard barbecue, or just a casual weeknight meal, macaroni salad is a dish that is sure to please.