This creamy macaroni salad is loaded full of fresh crunchy vegetables. Its the perfect summer side dish for a picnic or potluck!
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I love macaroni salad. Its one of my favorite side dishes to eat, and until recently I’d never even made it before. It’s one of those things I loved when people brought to a potluck, but I’ll tell you a secret, I love buying it from the deli at our local grocery store too. Shh… don’t tell 😉
I love the creamy mayo sauce that coats all the noodles, mixed in with lots of crispy and crunchy fresh veggies. It doesn’t get much better than that.
This macaroni salad is super easy to make, and it’s kind of a make it to your taste type recipe, if you don’t like celery, leave it out. If you want more salt, add it in – that kind of thing. But I’ll tell you, it’s delicious. And it’s the perfect summer side dish. Especially if you’re going to a picnic or a potluck.
Today is international picnic day so I hope you celebrate by eating lunch or dinner outside. I’ll do it with my son for lunch today, maybe something really fancy like peanut butter and jelly sandwiches – served up with a big side of this mac salad!
Macaroni Salad
Ingredients
- 2 cups uncooked macaroni noodles
- 1/2 cup diced red pepper
- 1/2 cup diced green pepper
- 1/2 cup diced celery
- 1/4 diced green onion
- 1/2 cup julienned carrots
- 1/2 cup mayo
- 1 TBS apple cider vinegar
- 1 TBS sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
Instructions
- Cook the macaroni until package directions. Drain and rinse the noodles and set aside.
- Prepare all your vegetables while the noodles are cooking.
- In a small bowl mix together the mayo, vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper. Adjust the amounts according to your taste.
- Place the noodles, vegetables in a bowl. Pour the dressing over the bowl (start with about 2/3 of it) and mix it all together. Add more dressing if needs be.
- Cover completely and place in the fridge for 2-4 hours before serving.
Here are more amazing recipes from my friends that would be perfect for your picnic today!
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Italian Orzo Pasta Salad on The Stay at Home Chef
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Slow Cooker Savory Baked Beans on 365 Days of Slow Cooking
Pesto Chicken Salad Sandwiches on Real Mom Kitchen
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Graham Cracker Smores Bars on Life Made Simple
Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberries on Like Mother Like Daughter
Cheese and Sausage Kolache on Ashlee Marie
Potato Salad on Creations by Kara
Creamy Broccoli Salad on Like Mother Like Daughter
Pressed Italian Picnic Sandwiches on The Stay at Home Chef
Chewy Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars on Real Mom Kitchen
Slow Cooker Pulled Pork on Like Mother Like Daughter
Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad on Summer Scraps
Apple Pecan Chicken Salad Wraps on The Baker Upstairs
Strawberry Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars on Like Mother Like Daughter
Melissa says
I’ve made this many times and it’s delish! Super easy to make. It’s my go to for macaroni salad.
Mariko Dawn Kurokawa says
Perfect! Thank you so much 😊
Jesseca Hallows says
This looks SO good! I’m a sucker for good macaroni salad.
Natalie says
This looks amazing! And just know you’re not alone, I like to buy it from the deli too 🙂
Kara (Creations by Kara) says
I am not a fan of deli macaroni salad, but this one looks super yummy! I’ll have to make it soon, I bet my kids would love it too!