Easy Macaroni Salad
Video Stats
Recipe Overview
Overview
This Easy Macaroni Salad is a nostalgic dish that brings back memories of summer picnics and family gatherings. The recipe is straightforward, making it accessible for cooks of all skill levels. The star of the dish is the elbow macaroni, which is cooked until just tender and then cooled to room temperature. This step is crucial to ensure that the pasta doesn’t become mushy when mixed with the dressing.
The dressing is a delightful blend of mayonnaise and Greek yogurt, which adds a creamy texture without being overly heavy. A touch of honey balances the flavors, while the addition of pickle relish gives it that classic tang that macaroni salad is known for. The chopped hard-boiled eggs and cubes of cheddar cheese provide a satisfying richness, making this salad a hearty side dish.
What I love most about this macaroni salad is its versatility. You can easily customize it by adding your favorite ingredients, such as diced bell peppers or celery for extra crunch. It’s the perfect accompaniment to grilled meats at summer BBQs or as a side dish for potlucks. Plus, it can be made ahead of time, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully in the fridge.
Overall, this Easy Macaroni Salad is not just a recipe; it’s a celebration of summer flavors and a reminder of the joy of sharing good food with loved ones. Whether you’re serving it at a holiday gathering or a casual get-together, it’s sure to be a hit!
Recipe Details
Steps & Tips
Boil salted water in a large pot.
Tip: Salt the water when boiling pasta to season it.
Add macaroni to boiling water and cook until done.
Drain the macaroni and let it cool to room temperature.
Rinse the macaroni with cold water.
Tip: Rinse pasta with cold water to stop cooking and remove extra starch.
In a bowl, combine mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, honey, cracked pepper, salt, and pickle relish.
Tip: Cut mayonnaise with Greek yogurt to lighten the dressing.
Tip: Use honey instead of sugar for a balanced flavor in the dressing.
Tip: Choose a pickle relish you love for the best flavor.
Tip: Use a simple relish from the grocery store if homemade isn't available.
Stir the dressing ingredients together until well combined.
Add the cooled macaroni to the dressing.
Add chopped hard-boiled eggs to the pasta.
Add chopped scallions to the mixture.
Tip: Use scallions for a milder onion flavor in the salad.
Add cubed yellow cheddar cheese to the salad.
Tip: Use yellow cheddar cheese for visual appeal and flavor.
Add chopped dill and parsley to the salad.
Tip: Add fresh herbs like dill and parsley to enhance flavor and freshness.
Gently fold all ingredients together until well mixed.
Stir in prepared yellow mustard to the salad.
Tip: Let the salad sit for a couple of hours before serving to allow flavors to meld.
Transfer the macaroni salad to a serving bowl.
Serve the macaroni salad cold.
Tip: Keep the salad cold before serving, possibly on ice.
Ingredients
Ingredient: Dairy
→ Substitution: Coconut Cream
Ingredient: Eggs
→ Substitution: Chia Egg
Nutrition
Skill Level
Frequently asked questions
Below you will find answers to the most common questions about this recipe.
Got a Recipe Question? Ask Away!
Interesting Tidbits
- •Macaroni salad is a popular dish in the Midwest, often served at summer gatherings.
- •Using Greek yogurt in the dressing lightens the texture while adding tanginess.
- •Rinsing pasta with cold water stops the cooking process and removes excess starch.
- •Dill and parsley add freshness to the macaroni salad, balancing the richness of the dressing.
