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Macaroni Pasta Salad is an easy-to-make recipe that’s ideal for potlucks, covered dish suppers or anytime you are feeding a crowd! This simple recipe with pasta, onions, celery and a creamy dressing is always the first to disappear on the buffet table!
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If you’re entertaining this summer, then Simple Macaroni Salad Recipes are a must-make! You’ll be surprised how quickly this easy side dish vanishes. I think the reason people like it so much is that it’s a simple recipe for macaroni salad with very few ingredients that work perfectly together. This big bowl of old-fashioned goodness is hard to resist.
So, when it’s time to take a dish to a special gathering or open your home to friends, you can be sure when you serve this southern macaroni salad that everyone will be tickled that they know you!
What To Serve With Mom’s Macaroni Salad
There are many, many main dishes and ways to serve this yummy salad. Here are a few of my favorites:
- Easy Crock Pot Beef Roast
- Air Fryer Chicken Legs
- Ham Jam Sandwiches
- Oven Baked BBQ Chicken
- Air Fryer Hot Dogs
Pro Tip
Add a can of tuna and turn this yummy recipe into a classic Macaroni Tuna Salad!
Ideas For Making Macaroni Salad
When it comes to getting creative with this macaroni salad recipe, you have plenty of opportunities to experiment and personalize the dish. Here are some ideas to inspire your creativity:
- Pasta Variations: Instead of using traditional elbow macaroni, try using different types of pasta such as bowtie, rotini, or penne. These variations for pasta salad can add interesting textures and shapes to your macaroni salad.
- Vibrant Veggies: Incorporate colorful vegetables to add visual appeal and fresh flavors to your macaroni salad. Consider adding diced bell peppers (in various colors), shredded carrots, thinly sliced radishes, dill pickles, chopped celery, cherry tomatoes, or even blanched asparagus.
- Add Some Protein: To make your macaroni salad more filling and substantial, consider adding protein-rich ingredients. Diced grilled chicken, cooked shrimp, crumbled bacon, or cubed tofu can all be delicious and protein-packed additions.
- Creamy Dressing Varieties: While mayonnaise is a common base for macaroni salad dressing, you can get creative by adding different creamy dressings for extra flavor. Try Creamy Vinaigrette or even Green Goddess Dressing for a delicious twist.
Ingredients Needed To Make Macaroni Salad For A Crowd
- Elbow macaroni
- Red onion
- Celery
- Mayonnaise
- Dijon mustard
- Vinegar
- Garlic powder
- Salt and pepper
Scroll Down For Measurements And Instructions
People Often Ask…
Yes, that is the beauty of this recipe! Not only is Macaroni salad easy to make and simple to double or triple, but you can also make it at your own convenience.
Macaroni salad can typically be stored in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days. However, it’s important to check for any signs of spoilage before consuming and use your judgment.
To prevent macaroni salad from becoming dry, make sure to coat the pasta with the dressing thoroughly. Additionally, you can add a bit more dressing just before serving if needed. If the salad has been refrigerated for a while and seems dry, a splash of cold water or a drizzle of olive oil can help moisten it.
More Recipes For Feeding A Crowd…
- Fruit Salad For A Crowd
- Salad For A Crowd
- Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken
- Ultimate Pulled Pork Nachos
- Lemony Asparagus & Pea Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 1 pound uncooked elbow macaroni (1 box)
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 cup red onion – chopped
- 3 ribs celery – cleaned and chopped
- 1 ½ cups mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons parsley – chopped
- 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon fresh cracked pepper
Instructions
- Per instructions on pasta box, bring 4 quarts of water to a boil. Add 1 tablespoon of salt to water and add pasta. Cook 8-9 minutes for al dente tenderness. Drain pasta and rinse with cool water.
- To a large bowl, add pasta, red onion and celery. Set aside.
- In a small bowl or lidded jar, add mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, vinegar, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Mix together until creamy. Pour dressing over pasta and veggies. Mix gently making sure all pasta is coated with dressing. Sprinkle on parsley and taste, then adjust seasoning.
- Serve immediately. Can be stored, cover in refrigerator for up to two days.
Notes
Nutrition
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I loved the macaroni salad with canned tuna that I had at a local restaurant that is now closed. Is this the basic recipe and then add canned tuna? Or is there another recipe with a different dressing?
Hey there!
That’s a really good question! Now, I am not quite sure what dressing your local restaurant used for their macaroni salad, but the dressing in this recipe uses ingredients that are popular for tuna salad so I imagine it would go well with Tuna. If I were you, I would add your canned tuna to the bowl with your cooked pasta during step 2, and then mix in your dressing as per the directions. You might want more or less dressing depending on your preference, so you can just experiment to find a happy medium. Please let me know how this goes and how you like the recipe, I am very curious. Thank you so much for you interest in this recipe, I appreciate your support!
~Donya
Looks delicious! What brand of mayonnaise do you use?
Hey Megan!
I use Hellman’s. It the BEST.
Enjoy the recipe.
~Donya
This sounds like a salad that would be very good and feed quite a few. I would like to know how many this recipe will feed?
This recipe should feed about 12 to 14 people.
Enjoy!
~Donya