Name: Macaroni Salad
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Ingredients: 2 cups dry macaroni noodles (4 cups cooked); 2 stalks celery (diced); 1/2 cup carrots (diced); 1/2 cup red bell pepper (diced); 2 green onions (diced - green parts only); 1/2 cup mayonnaise; 1/2 cup sour cream; 3 TBSP apple cider vinegar ((can use white or red wine vinegar)); 2 TBSP white sugar; 1 tsp yellow mustard; 2 TBSP sweet green relish; 1/2 tsp garlic powder; Salt and pepper (to taste)

What is your favorite picnic style side dish? This delicious Macaroni Salad recipe is the perfect dish to complement a barbecue or even fried chicken. An easy recipe that can be made to share.

Macaroni Salad

There has been a discussion in my family about what is the best kind of cold salad to bring to a BBQ or picnic. I have to be honest, most people do not side with my first choice and that is a traditional deli style Macaroni Salad. Other favorites are pasta salad with veggies and Italian dressing, coleslaw or potato salad. No matter your favorite, I urge you to give this yummy deli style Macaroni Salad a try!

What Is 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.

Ingredients:

For The Pasta:

2 cups dry macaroni noodles (4 cups cooked)
2 stalks celery, diced
1/2 cup diced carrots
1/2 red bell pepper, diced
2 green onions, diced (green parts only)

For The Dressing:

1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup sour cream
3 TBSP apple cider vinegar (can use white or red wine vinegar)
2 TBSP white sugar
1 tsp yellow mustard
2 TBSP sweet green relish
1/2 tsp garlic powder
Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions:

1. Cook the pasta according to package directions. Do not rinse after draining.

2. Prepare veggies by chopping and dicing as needed.

3. In a large bowl, mix together the dressing ingredients. Taste and adjust to your personal preferences. (adding more sugar, garlic powder, salt and pepper if needed.)

4. Add the cooked macaroni, stir well to coat.

5. Then add the chopped veggies to the bowl and stir to combine.

6. Cover the bowl and place the salad in the fridge for an hour to let the flavors marinate.

7. Serve and enjoy salad chilled.

What I love most about this salad is that it is creamy but not overly creamy and with the uncooked veggies I get a little crunch when I am eating it. A great combination that hits the spot during a fun gathering over yummy food.

Macaroni Salad

This delicious Macaroni Salad recipe is the perfect dish to complement a barbecue. Filled with a creamy dressing and veggies.

Course Appetizer, Salad, Side Dish

Cuisine American

Keyword appetizer, pasta, salad, side dish

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes

Servings 8

Author Censie

Ingredients

For the Pasta

2 cups dry macaroni noodles (4 cups cooked)
2 stalks celery diced
1/2 cup carrots diced
1/2 cup red bell pepper diced
2 green onions diced - green parts only

For the Dressing

1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup sour cream
3 TBSP apple cider vinegar (can use white or red wine vinegar)
2 TBSP white sugar
1 tsp yellow mustard
2 TBSP sweet green relish
1/2 tsp garlic powder
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Cook the pasta according to package directions. Do not rinse after draining.
Prepare veggies by chopping and dicing as needed.
In a large bowl, mix together the dressing ingredients. Taste and adjust to your personal preferences. (adding more sugar, garlic powder, salt and pepper if needed.)
Add the cooked macaroni, stir well to coat.
Then add the chopped veggies to the bowl and stir to combine.
Cover the bowl and place the salad in the fridge for an hour to let the flavors marinate.
Serve and enjoy salad chilled.

What is your favorite side dish to make for gatherings?

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