Cheddar Macaroni Salad for a Crowd

With the summer approaching in all its glory, the season for picnics and bar-b-q parties is upon us. With friends and family coming over for a meal, a macaroni salad for a crowd is a must have on the table.

One of the easiest pasta dishes, this macaroni salad uses simple ingredients to make a delicious salad that is sure to fill everyone up.

Filled with cheese and mayonnaise, this salad will be a crowd favorite at your next picnic. Serve it along with sandwiches and other dishes this summer with this easy and quick recipe.

Health Benefits

The dish is heavy in calories and amount of fat in each serving and is not suitable for consumption in huge amounts. But in smaller quantities, the salad is an excellent source of good fats, carbohydrates and multiple vitamins and minerals. The multiple dairy products used in the dressing are great sources of calcium and other minerals.

Ingredients

mayonnaise: 1/2 cup

sour cream: 1/2 cup

cider vinegar: 2 tbsp

buttermilk: 1 cup

garlic cloves: 2

green onions (finely chopped): 2

Parsley: 2 tbsp

onion powder: 1 tsp

salt: 1 tsp

pepper: 1 tsp

elbow macaroni: 2 lbs

mustard: 1/4 cup

sour cream: 2 cups

buttermilk dressing: 1 cup

relish: 3/4 cup

fresh thyme (finely chopped): 1 tbsp

celery--chopped: 2 cups

Cheddar cheese (grated): 1 lb

Salt and pepper to taste

How To Make Cheddar Macaroni Salad for a Crowd

Buttermilk Dressing

1. In a clean bow whisk together mayonnaise and sour cream.
2. Add vinegar, buttermilk and garlic and whisk until creamy and smooth.
3. Add onion, parsley, salt, pepper and onion powder and mix well.
4. Put aside in fridge for later.

Macaroni Salad

1. Fill a large pot with water, add salt and bring to a boil.
2. Add pasta to the pot and cook for 10 minutes, or until al dente.
3. Drain the cooked pasta in a colander and rinse with cold water and let it strain completely.
4. In a large mixing bowl add mustard, mayonnaise, buttermilk dressing, sour cream, relish and thyme. Whisk together until combined.
5. Fold in macaroni, cheddar cheese, relish, salt and pepper and gently fold with a wooden spoon.
6. Transfer to a serving bowl, garnish with fresh thyme and serve.

Trivia

• The word macaroni is derivative of an Italian word maccheroni, which has origins from the Latin word macerare. The Latin word means “to bruise or to crush”, this name was given to macaroni because pasta is made by crushing wheat.
• Did you know? That the average American consumes more than 19 pounds of macaroni each year, while the average Italian consumes 62 pounds!