Macaroni Salad

Macaroni salad is a type of pasta salad, served cold, made with cooked elbow macaroni, and usually prepared with mayonnaise. Much like potato salad or coleslaw in its use, it is often served as a side dish to barbecue, fried chicken, or other picnic style dishes. Like any dish, national and regional variations abound but generally it is prepared with raw diced onions, dill or sweet pickles and celery, and seasoned with salt and pepper.

If bananas are nature’s perfect food, Macaroni Salad is man’s perfect food. I mean, it contains ALL the food groups and nothing could be more fun to eat.

What are you bringing to your next get together? If you said ” macaroni salad,” we’re here to help! With these easy pasta salad recipes, we’ll show you how to make them like a champ. This creamy dish always knocks all those other deli salad recipes out of the park because it’s such a tried-and-true favourite. Ready to be the talk of your next picnic, potluck, or party? Then whip up one of these simple recipes and get ready to be the party hero.

Ingredients

elbow pasta: 1 lb

mayonaise: 1 1/2 cups

Sugar: 1/4 cup

white vinegar: 3 tbsp

salt to taste

freshly ground pepper to taste

shredded cheddar cheese: 2 cups

ham--chopped: 8 oz

hard-boiled eggs--chopped: 4

bacon--cooked crisp nd crumbled: 6 slices

celery--chopped: 5 stalks

broccoli--chopped: 1 cup

red pepper--chopped: 1

green onions--chopped: 4

How To Make Macaroni Salad

1. In a large pot, bring 4 quarts water and 1 tbsp. salt to a boil. Add pasta and cook until tender, about 10 to 12 minutes. Drain well and rinse with cold water.
2. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl whisk together mayonnaise, sugar, vinegar, 1/2 tsp. salt, and 1/4 tsp. pepper. Set aside.
3. Pour pasta into a large bowl. Add cheese, ham, eggs, bacon, celery, broccoli, pepper, and green onions. Stir to combine.
4. Add most of the salad dressing and toss until evenly coated, reserving a small amount to refresh the salad if it needed.

Recipe Notes

All components (including the dressing) can be assembled ahead of time such as the night before. Just toss everything together in a large bowl right before serving.

Trivia

1. In Australia and New Zealand, it is commonly known as pasta salad and is usually made with cooked shell pasta and purchased from supermarket delis.
2. In the Philippines, macaroni salad has a mildly sweet flavor. Chicken is more often used in the dish. It is served in parties and gatherings.
3. In Hawaii, macaroni salad is a popular staple in plate lunches.
4. In Puerto Rico, macaroni salad may contain mayonnaise, mustard, canned tuna or bits of SPAM, onions, Cubanelle peppers and pimentos.