Heavenly Macaroni Salad Recipes

MACARONI SALAD

Steps:

• Bring large pot of salted water to the boil over high heat. Add the pasta and boil until al dente (just fork-tender), or follow packet directions.
• While pasta is boiling, prepare/chop SALAD ingredients and add them to a large serving bowl.
• Mix DRESSING ingredients together in a small bowl.
• Once pasta is cooked, drain and rinse under cool running water. Drain well and add to the rest of the SALAD ingredients in the large serving bowl.
• Pour over DRESSING and toss well to evenly combine. Adjust salt, pepper and vinegar to taste.
• Set aside for at least 15 minutes to let the ingredients warm close to room temperature and settle into each other before serving.

CLASSIC MACARONI SALAD

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the macaroni, and cook until tender, about 8 minutes. Rinse under cold water and drain.
• In a large bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, mustard, salt and pepper. Stir in the onion, celery, green pepper, carrot, pimentos and macaroni. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours before serving, but preferably overnight.

CHEF JOHN'S CLASSIC MACARONI SALAD

Steps:

• Whisk 1 cup mayonnaise, vinegar, Dijon mustard, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper together in a bowl until well blended; whisk in sugar. Stir in celery, red bell pepper, carrot, onions, and jalapeno and poblano peppers. Refrigerate until macaroni is ready to dress.
• Bring a large pot of well salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until cooked through, 8 to 10 minutes. Drain but do not rinse. Allow macaroni to drain in a colander about 5 minutes, shaking out moisture from time to time. Pour macaroni into large bowl; toss to separate and cool to room temperature. Macaroni should be sticky.
• Pour dressing over macaroni and stir until dressing is evenly distributed. Cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate at least 4 hours or, ideally, overnight to allow dressing to absorb into the macaroni.
• Stir salad before serving. Mix 1 tablespoon mayonnaise and 1 tablespoon water into salad for fresher look.

HEAVENLY MACARONI SALAD

Steps:

• 1. Combine the ingredients for the dressing.
• 2. Combine remaining ingredients.
• 3. Stir in the dressing ingredients. Finally, cover and chill until ready to serve.

HEAVENLY PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Cook pasta until bite tender. Rinse and drain. Let cool. Add remaining ingredients to pasta. Mix dressing ingredients in a separate bowl. Add to pasta mixture.
• Refrigerate a couple hours before serving. My M-I-L only puts the red and green peppers in hers. I like the carrots and tomatoes added in as well.