Macaroni salad

Macaroni salad is a type of pasta salad that originated in the United States. It is typically made with elbow macaroni, mayonnaise, and a variety of other ingredients, such as vegetables, herbs, and cheese.

The earliest known recipe for macaroni salad was published in 1876, in Mrs. Rorer's New Cook Book. The salad was made with boiled macaroni, chopped celery, and a dressing made of mayonnaise, vinegar, and mustard.

Over the years, the salad has undergone a number of variations. Common ingredients nowadays include diced celery, onion, green bell pepper, olives, and hard-boiled eggs. Sometimes, the salad is also made with tuna, chicken, or shrimp.

Advice

When making macaroni salad, it is important to use a good quality pasta and to cook it al dente. This will help ensure that the salad has a good texture and that the pasta will not become too soft when mixed with the dressing. It is also important to use a flavorful and light dressing, such as a mayonnaise-based one, so that the flavor of the pasta and other ingredients are not overpowered. Additionally, adding in a variety of vegetables, such as green onions, celery, and peppers, will add crunch, flavor, and visual appeal to the salad. Finally, adding in a bit of salt and pepper to the dressing will enhance the flavor of the salad.

Questions

What is macaroni salad sauce made of?

Macaroni salad sauce is typically made of a combination of mayonnaise, mustard, vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper. Additionally, some recipes may include other ingredients like spices, celery, pickles, or bell peppers.

What is the mixtures of macaroni salad?

A typical macaroni salad is made with cooked macaroni pasta, mayonnaise or salad dressing, chopped celery, onion, hard-boiled eggs, and seasonings such as salt, pepper, and mustard. Additional ingredients may include canned tuna, chopped pickles, olives, diced bell peppers, crumbled bacon, and shredded cheese.

How do I keep macaroni from absorbing mayonnaise?

If you want to prevent macaroni from absorbing too much mayonnaise, make sure to mix the mayonnaise with other ingredients like lemon juice, vinegar, or oil. This will help to reduce the amount of mayonnaise that is absorbed by the macaroni. Additionally, you can try to add a small amount of mayonnaise at a time and mix it well before adding more. Finally, you can add a thin layer of mayonnaise on top of the macaroni after it is cooked to prevent too much absorption.

Which is healthier macaroni salad or potato salad?

Both macaroni salad and potato salad can be healthy depending on the ingredients used. However, macaroni salad may be slightly healthier because it typically contains fewer calories and fat than potato salad.

What gives macaroni salad an aftertaste?

Macaroni salad usually has a slightly salty, tangy, creamy, and sweet aftertaste. This is due to the combination of the mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, and salt that are often added to it.

Why is my macaroni salad not creamy?

There are several reasons why your macaroni salad may not be creamy. It may not have enough mayonnaise, or the mayonnaise may not have enough fat content. You may also not have added enough dairy, such as sour cream or yogurt, which are the primary sources of creaminess in macaroni salad. Additionally, the macaroni may not have been cooked properly and may be too hard, which can cause the salad to be dry. Finally, the salad may have been sitting out for too long and the ingredients have broken down and become dry.

Jump to: Ingredient Breakdown Insights

Recipes

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American Macaroni Salad

  • black pepper
  • parsley
  • apple cider vinegar
  • sugar
  • ripened tomato
  • mayonnaise
  • salt
  • celery
  • onion
  • elbow macaroni
  • sour cream
  • mustard
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Macaroni Salad

  • MACARONI
  • salt
  • elbow noodle
  • bell pepper
  • onion
  • carrot
  • celery
  • DRESSING
  • mayonnaise
  • yellow mustard
  • sugar
  • salt
  • sour cream
  • black pepper
  • apple cider vinegar
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Macaroni Salad

  • mayonnaise
  • celery
  • mustard
  • salt
  • sugar
  • green onion
  • bell pepper
  • red pepper
  • macaroni
  • pepper
  • vinegar
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Tuna-Macaroni Salad 

  • salt
  • paprika
  • celery
  • elbow macaroni
  • dijon mustard
  • onion powder
  • onion
  • mayonnaise
  • sweet relish
  • black pepper
  • tuna
  • hard-boiled egg
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The Best Macaroni Salad

  • pea
  • elbow noodle
  • dijon mustard
  • salt
  • bell pepper
  • mayonnaise
  • pepper
  • onion
  • apple cider vinegar
  • dill
  • sugar
  • sweet relish
  • cheddar cheese
  • celery
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Macaroni Salad

  • celery
  • apple cider vinegar
  • carrot
  • salt
  • salt
  • mayonnaise
  • yoghurt
  • pepper
  • dijon mustard
  • sugar
  • macaroni elbow pasta
  • green onion
  • red capsicum bell pepper
  • garlic powder
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Herbed Bacon Macaroni Salad

  • mayonnaise
  • chive
  • dijon mustard
  • celery
  • bacon
  • parsley
  • onion
  • basil
  • salt
  • lemon
  • macaroni
  • pepper
  • honey
  • garlic
  • hard-boiled egg
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Easy Macaroni Salad

  • dijon mustard
  • garlic
  • onion
  • salt
  • bell pepper
  • dill
  • parsley
  • caper
  • lemon juice
  • celery
  • pea
  • elbow macaroni
  • black pepper
  • vegan mayo
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Hawaiian Macaroni Salad

  • carrot
  • celery seed
  • black pepper
  • salt
  • milk
  • macaroni noodle
  • mayonnaise
  • rice vinegar
  • sugar
  • egg
  • shallot
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Bacon and Egg Macaroni Salad

  • salt
  • bacon
  • macaroni
  • garlic
  • rounded dijon mustard
  • parsley
  • olive oil
  • hot sauce
  • pimiento
  • its juice
  • white balsamic vinegar
  • egg
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Old Fashioned Macaroni Salad

  • mayonnaise
  • ground salt
  • black pepper
  • bell pepper
  • bell pepper
  • apple cider vinegar
  • dill pickle
  • onion
  • yellow mustard
  • hard-boiled egg
  • elbow macaroni
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Macaroni Salad

  • rib rib celery
  • mayonnaise
  • elbow noodle
  • dijon mustard
  • sugar
  • salt
  • bell pepper
  • onion
  • sour cream
  • pepper
  • carrot
  • apple cider vinegar
  • milk
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Tuna Macaroni Salad

  • pea
  • celery
  • mustard
  • bell pepper
  • macaroni
  • onion
  • lemon
  • tuna
  • hard-boiled egg
  • parsley
  • sweet relish
  • mayonnaise
  • salt
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Best Macaroni Salad

  • apple cider vinegar
  • lemon juice
  • sweet relish
  • salt
  • chive
  • pimiento
  • mayonnaise
  • dill
  • black pepper
  • bell pepper
  • sugar
  • celery seed
  • cayenne pepper
  • onion
  • onion
  • salt
  • celery
  • carrot
  • yellow mustard
  • elbow macaroni
  • egg
  • little mayonnaise
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Macaroni Salad Recipe

  • celery
  • mustard
  • bell pepper
  • red pepper
  • macaroni
  • onion
  • parsley
  • sweet relish
  • vinegar
  • hard-boiled egg
  • mayonnaise
  • salt
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Tuna Macaroni Salad

  • pea
  • elbow noodle
  • dijon mustard
  • salt
  • sugar
  • mayonnaise
  • pepper
  • onion
  • dill
  • red wine vinegar
  • sweet relish
  • solid white albacore tuna
  • celery
  • hard-boiled egg
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Hawaiian Macaroni Salad

  • pineapple
  • apple cider vinegar
  • sugar
  • light mayonnaise
  • carrot
  • greek yogurt
  • pineapple juice
  • elbow macaroni
  • green onion
  • ham
  • salt
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Macaroni Salad With Egg

  • celery
  • onion
  • black pepper
  • sugar
  • elbow macaroni
  • mayonnaise
  • salt
  • parsley
  • sour cream
  • mustard
  • milk
  • sriracha
  • sweet relish
  • paprika
  • worcestershire sauce
  • hard-boiled egg
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Tuna Macaroni Salad

  • parsley
  • dijon mustard
  • apple cider vinegar
  • black pepper
  • bell pepper
  • lemon zest
  • mayonnaise
  • salt
  • celery
  • parsley
  • onion
  • red pepper
  • dill
  • garlic salt
  • paprika
  • bread
  • pea
  • bread
  • sour cream
  • milk
  • elbow pasta
  • hard-boiled egg
  • hard-boiled egg
  • petite pea
  • onion
  • tuna
  • juice
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Cajun Macaroni Salad

  • salt
  • sugar
  • onion
  • hot sauce
  • pickled okra
  • mayonnaise
  • parsley
  • milk
  • sour cream
  • creole mustard
  • bell pepper
  • celery
  • elbow macaroni
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Tuna Avocado Macaroni Salad

  • mayonnaise
  • dijon mustard
  • sugar
  • green red bell pepper
  • bell pepper
  • onion
  • carrot
  • apple cider vinegar
  • avocado
  • white albacore tuna
  • elbow macaroni
  • salt
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Southern Macaroni Salad

  • celery
  • elbow macaroni
  • paprika
  • mustard
  • bell pepper
  • onion
  • bell pepper
  • sweetened condensed milk
  • apple cider vinegar
  • mayonnaise
  • black pepper
  • salt
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Macaroni Salad

  • celery
  • sugar
  • mayonnaise
  • carrot
  • elbow pasta
  • honey
  • onion powder
  • black pepper
  • sweet relish
  • green onion
  • salt
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Chicken Macaroni Salad

  • dill
  • mayonnaise
  • macaroni
  • black pepper
  • salt
  • dill pickle relish
  • yellow mustard
  • carrot
  • hard-boiled egg
  • chicken
  • celery
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Chicken Macaroni Salad

  • cranberry
  • pecan
  • elbow pasta
  • french mustard
  • pepper
  • salt
  • tarragon
  • rotisserie chicken
  • celery
  • orange juice
  • raisin
  • parsley
  • poultry seasoning
  • onion
  • mayonnaise
  • sour cream
  • oranges zest
  • hard-boiled egg
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Best Macaroni Salad

  • cheddar cheese
  • petite pea
  • black pepper
  • elbow macaroni pasta
  • bell pepper
  • mayonnaise
  • salt
  • apple cider vinegar
  • celery
  • parsley
  • onion
  • dill
  • parsley
  • dill
  • onion
  • sour cream
  • cheddar cheese
  • sugar
  • mustard
  • hard-boiled egg
  • hard-boiled egg
  • bread
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Classic Macaroni Salad

  • celery
  • onion
  • sugar
  • pepper
  • elbow pasta
  • bell pepper
  • milk
  • mustard
  • black olife
  • mayonnaise
  • parsley
  • red wine vinegar
  • salt
  • sweet pickle juice
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Polynesian-Inspired Macaroni Salad

  • teriyaki spam
  • water chestnut
  • pineapple tidbit
  • mayonnaise
  • canola oil
  • sweet red pepper
  • salt
  • pepper
  • elbow macaroni
  • sugar
  • mustard
  • green onion
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Hawaiian Macaroni Salad

  • elbow macaroni
  • brown sugar
  • salt
  • carrot
  • celery
  • black pepper
  • pineapple
  • apple cider vinegar
  • green onion
  • onion
  • ham
  • mayonnaise
  • milk
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Caprese Macaroni Salad

  • mozzarella cheese pearl
  • mayonnaise
  • italian salad dressing
  • cherry tomato
  • basil
  • salt
  • pepper
  • elbow macaroni
  • parmesan cheese
  • sugar
  • mustard
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Shrimp and Crab Macaroni Salad

  • shrimp
  • mayonnaise
  • garlic powder
  • cucumber
  • salt
  • pepper
  • elbow macaroni
  • dijon mustard
  • seafood seasoning
  • sugar
  • green onion
  • imitation crabmeat
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Chicken Taco Macaroni Salad

  • cilantro
  • mayonnaise
  • jalapeño
  • sweet yellow
  • salt
  • pepper
  • rotisserie chicken
  • elbow macaroni
  • taco seasoning
  • sugar
  • mustard
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Cubano Macaroni Salad

  • pork
  • fully ham
  • mayonnaise
  • swiss cheese
  • onion
  • sweet pickle
  • salt
  • pepper
  • elbow macaroni
  • sugar
  • mustard
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Hawaiian Macaroni Salad

  • brown sugar
  • celery
  • carrot
  • elbow macaroni
  • pepper
  • salt
  • milk
  • mayonnaise
  • onion
  • apple cider vinegar
  • green onion
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Barbecue Macaroni Salad

  • mayonnaise
  • ranch salad dressing
  • barbecue sauce
  • salt
  • pepper
  • elbow macaroni
  • sweet relish
  • sugar
  • hard-boiled egg
  • mustard
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Chicken Caesar Macaroni Salad

  • caesar salad crouton
  • water artichoke heart
  • rotisserie chicken
  • mayonnaise
  • parmesan cheese
  • salt
  • pepper
  • elbow macaroni
  • caper
  • italian salad dressing
  • sugar

Ingredient Breakdown

 
salt
mayonnaise
onion
sugar
celery
elbow macaroni
pepper
bell pepper
mustard
black pepper
apple cider vinegar
hard-boiled egg
parsley
carrot
dijon mustard
dill
green onion
sweet relish
milk
sour cream
macaroni
yellow mustard
pea
lemon zest
caper
elbow noodle
red pepper
paprika
tuna
elbow pasta
vinegar
cheddar cheese
chive
garlic
lemon juice
egg
red wine vinegar
bread
rotisserie chicken
cucumber
buttermilk
onion powder
garlic powder
bacon
basil
lemon
honey
celery seed
macaroni noodle
hot sauce
pimiento
pineapple
ham
petite pea
brown sugar
italian salad dressing
cherry tomato
parmesan cheese
shrimp
italian parsley
butter pickle
ripened tomato
yoghurt
macaroni elbow pasta
red capsicum bell pepper
macaroni pasta
lobster meat
lettuce
vegan mayo
rice vinegar
shallot
rounded dijon mustard
olive oil
its juice
white balsamic vinegar
ground salt
dill pickle
radish
chicken stock
rib rib celery
pepperoncini pepper
prosciutto
shell macaroni
italian flat leaf parsley
smoked mozzarella
pepperoncini juice
cayenne pepper
little mayonnaise
solid white albacore tuna
light mayonnaise
greek yogurt
pineapple juice
sriracha
worcestershire sauce
garlic salt
juice
pickled okra
creole mustard
green red bell pepper
avocado
white albacore tuna
sweetened condensed milk
dill pickle relish
chicken
cranberry
pecan
french mustard
tarragon
orange juice
raisin
poultry seasoning
oranges zest
elbow macaroni pasta
black olife
sweet pickle juice
teriyaki spam
water chestnut
pineapple tidbit
canola oil
sweet red pepper
mozzarella cheese pearl
seafood seasoning
imitation crabmeat
cilantro
jalapeño
sweet yellow
taco seasoning
pork
fully ham
swiss cheese
sweet pickle
ranch salad dressing
barbecue sauce
feta
greek olife
oregano
caesar salad crouton
water artichoke heart
garbanzo bean
za'atar seasoning
lamb

Insights

Correlated with Higher Ratings

  • black pepper
  • mustard

Staple Ingredients

  • salt 89%
  • mayonnaise 85%
  • onion 64%
  • celery 62%
  • sugar 60%

Common Ingredients

  • elbow macaroni 47%
  • bell pepper 38%
  • pepper 38%

Usual Ingredients

  • apple cider vinegar 32%
  • black pepper 32%
  • mustard 32%
  • hard-boiled egg 28%
  • carrot 26%
  • parsley 26%
  • dijon mustard 21%
  • dill 19%
  • sweet relish 19%
  • green onion 17%
  • milk 17%
  • sour cream 17%
  • macaroni 15%

Rarey Ingredients

  • pea 11%
  • yellow mustard 11%