Inspired by the Potato Salad thread...Macaroni Salad

[DMickey28]

How do you make a good Pasta Salad?

And someone on that thread mentioned Tuna Pasta/Macaroni Salad?

Please share your recipes. These are the few things I have never tried to make before!!!

 

[SandiH]

No recipe from me. Just subscribing so I can get some recipes!

 

[leafette]

My mom has always made an easy macaroni salad that I have started making and taking to events where it is a hit.

1 lb. box macaroni
2 cucumbers
2 green peppers
2 tomatoes

Chop up veggies into very small pieces
Boil macaroni and run cold water over it until it's chilled; add veggies
Add mayonnaise to taste; my mom uses quite a bit, but I add less
Sprinkle liberally with salt and celery seed

I think it's the celery seed that makes it so good?

 

[MAKmom]

I make an awesome pasta salad. If you have a Traders Joe's it will be very easy.

1 container marinated mozzarella balls I dump in the whole container oil & spices too!
That is all the oil I use in this.

1 packet Good Seasons mixed with the vinegar only.

1 jar black olives
1 jar feta stuffed green olives
1 jar marinated artichokes
1 jar marinated mushrooms
1 jar roasted peppers sliced up
1 jar peppers stuffed with feta
Sun dried tomatoes, sliced.

Make this at least 1 day in advanced. Before serving I add shredded parmesan

 

[1Prince2Princesses]

My mom actually just gave me some pasta salad that is a new recipe for her, and I LOVE it. It has this in it:

1 box seashell pasta
1 chopped yellow pepper
1 container grape tomatoes, sliced in half
1 can black beans
1 can kidney beans
1 cup frozen corn
1/2 red onion, chopped

Toss with olive oil and lemon juice, then add cumin, salt and pepper to taste. It reminds me of tacos or chili. It's really good.


We have always made macaroni salad with tuna in it. I kinda improvise on the ingredients depending on what I have, but it's basically this:

1 box macaroni
2 cans albacore tuna, drained
1 cup canned peas
1/2 cup chopped green olives
8 oz. sharp cheddar cheese, cubed small
1 small chopped onion
2 ribs chopped celery

For the dressing, I like to mix half mayo, half Miracle Whip, then add salt, pepper, and a dash of yellow mustard. It's really good.


ETA: MAKmom, that salad sounds incredible. I'm going to make that very soon. I love feta!

 

[dcgrumpy]

macaroni salad

elbow macaroni
hellman's
vinegar
salt
pepper
chopped green bell pepper
chopped roasted red pepper
chopped celery
chopped tomato

pasta salad

rotini or rotelle

any of the following combinations

fresh mozzerella
provolone
genoa
sopressetta
pepperoncini
bell pepper
roasted red pepper
black olives
kalamata olives
celery
tomato
artichoke hearts

Newman's Balsamic Vinaigrette

 

[Allie322]

I consider myself a pretty good cook but I've never made a decent pasta salad so I'm loving this thread. Does anyone make an Asian pasta salad? I'd love to make that.

 

[trappednabox]

mine is basically potato salad but with pasta

Any kinda pasta
boiled eggs
hellman's mayo
yellow mustard
celery
pickles
salt and pepper

mix it all together and eat

if i'm making it for a lunch i'll add cubed ham or turkey to make it more filling

 

[marlasmom]

I use coleslaw dressing instead of mayo.

 

[KimR]

Here's mine

1 box seashell pasta
chopped tomotos
2 - 3 cans tuna
2 cans peas
chopped celery
salt
pepper
italian seasoning

I use a mixture of 1/2 garlic dressing and 1/2 Italian dressing (good seasons) instead of mayonnaise. I've noticed that some of you use olives - I think I might give that a try next time I make it.

All these food threads are making me hungry and dinner is still 3 1/2 hours away!

 

[CEDmom]

To me macaroni salad and pasta salad are 2 completely different things.

Macaroni salad has a mayo based dressing and also has things like chopped eggs and onions in it.

Pasta salad has an oil/vinegar dressing and has lots of veggies in it.

 

[goofygirl]

Pasta salad- I just made some last week! I use:

half box (or 1/3 box) rigotoni pasta (I prefer the veggie "tri color")
2 heaping tablespoonfuls of mayo (you may need more)
1 can of canned chicken
a spoonful or 2 of Ken's Sweet Vidalia Onion dressing

Seasonings:
chives
salt and pepper
minced onion
bacon bits

Mix everything in a bowl, add seasonings to taste. Let sit overnight in fridge for best results.

 

[malibuconlee]

Pasta Salad

I use the spiral noodles. I like the tri-color coked as directed, drained and cooled.
LOTS of veggies!! Whatever you like.
I use Kraft Classic Italian Vinagrette for dressing along with Salad Supreme seasoning.
I need to make some soon!!!

I don't make a macaroni salad.

 

[THE HAT]

Pasta salad here as well, Not fans of macaroni salad with mayo

box of spiral tri colored pasta cooked and rinesed until cold
2 cans of tuna(rinsed)
half a block of cracker barrel sharp chedder cut into bite sized pieces
1 large european (burpless) cucumber
bottle of italian dressing
mix chill and enjoy!

I sometimes add black olives and grape tomatos too

 

[LJC1861]

Here is my family's traditional recipe.....thanks to my Grandma Baldwin

Macaroni and Shrimp Salad

1 lb shrimp ( get the kind you have to cook, even if it is just a small amount...for the rest you can use pre cooked shrimp. You need to cook some of your own as you need the water you cook the shrimp in for the dressing)

1/2 cup of shrimp water ( reserve the water you cook the shrimp in

1 lb macaroni

red and yellow peppper
celery
onion
lemon juice( one whole lemon)
salt
pepper
mayonaise

Cook the macaroni, drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking. Boil the shrimp, reserving the water you cooked it in. Mince the shrimp into tiny pieces and add to the macaroni. Add finely chopped peppers onion and celery to taste. Add salt and pepper to taste. Add enough mayonaise to bind all ingredients together. Add shrimp water and the juice of one lemon. Mix until all ingredients are mixed together and dressing coats everything. Refrigerate for at least one hour. Stir salad adding a bit more mayo, shrimp broth and lemon if it looks dry.

I wish this recipe were more exact, but none of the women in my family every measured anything when making this. It is all to taste, and for me, one of the best memories of my grandma....learning to make her special macaroni salad.

Linda

 

[disneyjunkie]

To me macaroni salad and pasta salad are 2 completely different things.

Macaroni salad has a mayo based dressing and also has things like chopped eggs and onions in it.

Pasta salad has an oil/vinegar dressing and has lots of veggies in it.

Here are the two recipes I use. I never measure anything, just

Pasta Salad

tri color pasta
cherry tomatoes
cucumbers
carrots
broccoli
cauliflower
Italian dressing

Cook and drain pasta and add diced vegetables. Mix with Italian dressing.

I may or may not peel the cucumbers. I slice the tomatoes in half. Depending on who I'm making it for, I may add diced deli ham or turkey.

Macaroni Salad
elbow macaroni
tuna (packed in water)
mayo
celery
onions
boiled eggs
green bell pepper
salt
paprika

Cook and drain pasta, add finely diced vegetables, eggs and drained tuna. Add salt to taste. Stir in mayo. Once salad is transferred to serving dish sprinkle paprika on top.