A simple (and very creamy) tangy dressing is tossed with elbow macaroni after it has been combined with several additional ingredients.
We enjoy Creamy Macaroni Salad since it is quick to prepare and is best made ahead of time for potlucks, picnics, or with nearly anything from the barbecue.
Macaroni noodles have a special place in my heart for some reason. Since my mother always served elbows with rouladen gravy and I can’t get enough mac & cheese, I’ll eat them nonetheless.
They provide the ideal complement to a platter of barbecue chicken in this salad!
Easy to prepare a side dish
This traditional macaroni salad recipe is a quick side dish that is good, hearty, and inexpensive. It pairs well with fried chicken and burgers alike.
- For the finest flavor, prepare the macaroni salad ahead of time (and you should).
- The components for this recipe are probably already in your possession; if not, simply substitute what you do have! (See ensuing notes).
- It comes together quite quickly.
- The dressing doesn’t need any unique components (and it only takes about 2 minutes).
- To make it your own, add any short pasta or other ingredients.
Ingredients in this simple macaroni salad dish can be mixed and matched depending on what you have on hand.
Creamy Macaroni Salad (Pinterest)How to Dress Up a Macaroni Salad?
Elbows (also known as ditalini), a creamy dressing, and a few additional ingredients make up a Creamy Macaroni Salad. Depending on your tastes, change the add-ins’ flavor, texture, and color to create the perfect macaroni salad.
Celery, shredded carrots, red bell peppers, fresh parsley, and fresh dill are examples of fresh, crisp ingredients.
Add cheese, bacon, ham, chopped olives, or even capers if the food is too salty.
Savory ingredients include boiled eggs, chopped or shredded cheddar, green or red onions, dill pickles, and garlic powder.
Baby peas, pineapple, sweet bell peppers, sweet pickles, or more pickle relish are examples of sweet foods.
Dressing for macaroni salad
Creamy Macaroni Salad dressing is made with mayonnaise and only needs a few minutes to prepare.
The foundation of this dressing recipe is mayonnaise (or dressing). Greek yogurt can be used in place of half the mayonnaise in the dressing to make it lighter.
The tanginess is added with white or cider vinegar. If you want, substitute dill pickle juice.
A small amount of sugar and sweet pickle relish provide sweetness to counteract the vinegar. In this recipe, sugar alternatives work well, or you can substitute a dash of sweet pickle juice for the sugar.
Simple seasoning options include a dash of prepared or dijon mustard, salt, and pepper.
It tastes like a coleslaw or potato salad dressing since it is sweet, tangy, and zesty. In this recipe, you can substitute your preferred creamy dressing; bottled cole slaw dressing is also a fantastic choice.
Making macaroni salad is as simple as 1, 2, 3.
- Cook Pasta: According to the recipe below, boil, drain, and cool the macaroni.
- Chop the vegetables or add-ins while the macaroni is boiling.
- Mix and chill: Combine the dressing’s components, then toss the macaroni with the other ingredients.
Advice for Excellence
- Any short pasta can be substituted for elbows. Try using wagon wheels, ditalini, or small shells.
- Make sure the additions are diced to resemble macaroni in size.
- After draining, rinse the pasta to stop it from cooking and prevent mushy or sticky results.
- One less dish to wash by mixing the dressing in the salad bowl before adding the remaining ingredients!
- Since the pasta will absorb part of the sauce as it sits, thoroughly dresses the salad.
In advance and leftovers
Creamy Macaroni Salad is a great party food since it can be prepared ahead of time. Up to four days’ worth of leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator. It sadly doesn’t freeze very well.
Creamy Macaroni Salad (Pinterest)Ingredients
- ½ pound elbow macaroni uncooked (approx. 2 cups dry), or any short pasta
Add-ins* (see note)
- 1 cup celery diced
- ½ cup carrots shredded
- ½ cup red pepper diced
- ¼ cup red onion diced, or green onion
Dressing
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar or white vinegar
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 2 tablespoons sweet relish
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
- ¼ teaspoon salt & pepper
Instructions
- Follow the directions on the package to prepare elbow macaroni. Drain and then run a cold water rinse.
- In a small dish, mix the ingredients for the dressing.
- In a large bowl, combine the macaroni, dressing, and additional ingredients.
- Combine everything thoroughly, then chill for at least one to two hours before serving.
Notes
*2 to 2 12 cups of add-ins are required. For a simple macaroni salad, use the ingredients above, or modify it as you see fit. Pickles, olives, ham, sweet peas, and cheddar cheese are among other popular toppings.
Any short pasta can be substituted for elbows. Try using wagon wheels, ditalini, or small shells.
After draining, rinse the pasta to stop further cooking and prevent sticking. This prevents the pasta from becoming mushy.
You can substitute the dressing for any bottled dressing you like, even coleslaw dressing.
Give the salad plenty of dressing because the pasta will absorb part of it as it sits.
Make sure the additions are diced to resemble macaroni in size.