Macaroni Salad Recipe
Description:
Indulge in the delightful flavors of this classic Macaroni Salad recipe, brought to you by lovewithrecipes.com. It’s a quick and easy dish perfect for any occasion, whether it’s a picnic, barbecue, or potluck. With simple ingredients and minimal prep time, this salad is sure to become a family favorite!
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Servings: 10
- Yield: 8 cups
Ingredients:
- 4 cups macaroni
- 1 onion
- 1 cucumber
- 1 cup diced ham
- 1 cup Miracle Whip (or mayonnaise)
- 1 1/2 cups chopped celery
- 1 cup chopped tomato
- 1 green pepper
Nutritional Information (per serving):
- Calories: 189.9
- Fat: 1.5g
- Saturated Fat: 0.4g
- Cholesterol: 7.4mg
- Sodium: 226.9mg
- Carbohydrates: 34.4g
- Fiber: 2.1g
- Sugar: 2.3g
- Protein: 9.1g
Instructions:
-
Cook Macaroni: Start by cooking the macaroni according to package instructions until it’s al dente. Once cooked, drain it and set it aside to cool.
-
Prepare Ingredients: While the macaroni is cooking, prepare the other ingredients. Finely chop the onion, cucumber, celery, tomato, and green pepper. Dice the ham into small pieces.
-
Mix Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked and cooled macaroni with the diced onion, cucumber, ham, chopped celery, tomato, and green pepper.
-
Add Dressing: Pour the Miracle Whip or mayonnaise over the mixture and gently toss until everything is evenly coated. Adjust the amount of dressing according to your preference.
-
Chill: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and place it in the refrigerator to chill for at least 30 minutes before serving. Chilling allows the flavors to meld together and enhances the taste of the salad.
-
Serve: Once chilled, give the macaroni salad a final stir and transfer it to a serving dish. Garnish with some additional chopped parsley or a sprinkle of paprika for an extra pop of color if desired.
-
Enjoy: Serve the macaroni salad as a side dish alongside your favorite grilled meats, sandwiches, or as a standalone dish. It’s perfect for picnics, barbecues, or any gathering with family and friends!
-
Storage: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Before serving leftovers, give the salad a quick stir as the dressing may settle at the bottom.
Notes:
- For a vegetarian version, omit the ham or replace it with your favorite plant-based protein.
- Feel free to customize the salad with additional vegetables such as bell peppers, peas, or carrots for added crunch and flavor.
- This macaroni salad is delicious served cold, but you can also enjoy it warm if preferred.
- If you’re not a fan of celery or green pepper, feel free to leave them out or substitute with other crunchy vegetables of your choice.