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This Easy Macaroni Salad recipe is a favorite of mine for barbeques and summer gatherings. I first made macaroni salad in the 10th grade in my home economics class in high school. Since then I have changed up the ingredients a bit to make it more to my taste.
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Why You Will Love This Recipe
This is my best macaroni salad because it is how I prefer it, without pickles and with olives and only a hint of mustard. The result is a flavorful macaroni salad with a creamy dressing that is a perfect classic side dish for barbecued foods.
This is a creamy and delicious macaroni salad like you get at the Hawaiian Barbecue restaurants. It is surprisingly easy to make and it is always a hit at summer bbqs and picnics.
I like to use different colors of peppers for a more colorful Hawaiian Barbecue salad. This is likely my favorite pasta salad recipe.
You the colors better in person, but if you look close, you can see some of the colors coming through. This is one of the best creamy macaroni salad recipes I have made. It is often a favorite at gatherings and is so easy to make.
You can also make this the day before and I think that it helps the flavors blend well.
If you like a little more bold flavorlike my husband does, I make another version of a cold macaroni salad that has more mustard and apple cider vinegar in it.
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Macaroni Salad Ingredients
This creamy pasta salad requires just a few simple ingredients.
Macaroni Pasta - I use elbow macaroni for this salad, but you can use bowtie or the salad-sized pasta.
Mayonnaise - Use your favorite or generic brand
Onion - I like to use either white or red onion onion, but you can use yellow too. Green onions can be used for a top garnish.
Bell Pepper - any color will do and you can even use mini-peppers. Red bell peppers or Green bell peppers will add some color.
Carrot - Use one large carrot for this recipe
Olives - These are optional as not everyone loves olives. I use black olives (pitted).
Vinegar - I used white vinegar for this recipe.
Spices - Mustard, sugar, salt, and black pepper will help this creamy macaroni salad recipe pop.
Equipment Needed
- Large bowl
- Large pot
- Strainer
- Mixing Spoon
How To Make Creamy Pasta Salad Recipe
Step 1 - Cook macaroni pasta in a large pot on the stove according to package instructions until pasta is al dente.
Step 2 - Drain pasta when fully cooked.
Step 3 - Prepare vegetables by washing and chopping.
Step 4 - Make dressing
- Make this salad dressing the night before.
- You can boil the pasta ahead of time so it is ready when you are.
- You can actually make this entire salad the day before and keep it chilled in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It tastes great the next day!
Variations, Notes, and Substitutions
- You can red wine vinegar for the white vinegar if you want a bolder taste.
Serving and Storage Suggestions
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- Serve with a sandwich or soup for an easy meal idea.
More Backyard Barbecue Side Dishes
For more great salad recipes, try our best easy salad recipes;
Easy Potato Salad Recipe - an easy, creamy and delicious potato salad recipe.
EasyChopped Salad Recipe - This Italian inspired recipe makes for a wonderful lunch or light dinner in itself.
Mango Arugula Salad Recipe - Argula makes a nice change up in a green salad. The addition of fresh mango makes this a delightful, colorful salad.
Easy Mediterranean Salad - Another perfectly colorful salad that brightens any table.
Easy Macaroni SaladRecipe
📖 Recipe
Easy & Creamy Macaroni Salad
Raquel Pineira
A delicious Hawaiian Macaroni Salad side dish. Creamy pasta salad that goes with so many bbq and picnic dishes.
5 from 32 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 10 minutes mins
Total Time 25 minutes mins
Course Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 8
Calories 396 kcal
Ingredients
- 4 cups macaroni uncooked
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup onion chopped
- â…” cup celery chopped
- â…” cup bell peppers chopped (I like to use green and red or green and orange for color)
- 1 carrot grated
- 1 tablespoon chopped olives
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon mustard
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
Cook macaroni per package directions. Rinse cooked pasta with cold water and thoroughly drain.
Place pasta in a large mixing bowl and set aside.
In a medium bowl, prepare mayonnaise mixture. Mix together mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, mustard, salt and pepper. Blend in onion, celery, peppers, carrot and olives. Add to cooked and drained pasta.
Chill at least 2 hours.
Notes
- Make this salad dressing the night before.
- You can boil the pasta ahead of time so it is ready when you are.
- You can actually make this entire salad the day before and keep it chilled in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It tastes great the next day!
Nutrition
Calories: 396kcalCarbohydrates: 42gProtein: 8gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 13gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 12mgSodium: 360mgPotassium: 206mgFiber: 2gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 1720IUVitamin C: 17mgCalcium: 23mgIron: 1mg
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What's your favorite barbecue side dish?
