how do you like your macaroni salad?

**Contrary Housewife** · 10-28-2010, 02:27 PM

In college I used to make it with diced bell peppers, frozen (thawed) peas, a little onion and some diced salami or pepperoni (or sometimes hot dogs) and a dressing of mayo and mustard and herbs and maybe other stuff if I had it. I liked it, but almost nobody else does.

So I'm wondering, how do you like yours? I'm having a bbq this weekend, and would like to serve something that people want to eat. (and not leave me with a ton of leftovers)

**druthb00** · 10-28-2010, 02:38 PM

My first thought was "on a plate, with some pepper." BUT...since you really want to know, I don't like in in a really heavy or overly sweet dressing and I honestly am not a fan of peas in mine. I usually do a mix regular mayonnaise and miracle whip or salad dressing, so that it's not too sweet. I do use the bell peppers and also a couple seeded coarsely chopped tomatoes, a couple chopped cucumbers, and some diced onion. Other than that, just seasonings. I don't use any herbs, but I'm sure they wouldn't ruin the salad.

**frugalwarrior2** · 10-28-2010, 03:19 PM

COLD- w/ tuna,black pepper,mayo and some thousand Is. If the kids don't have a say I like tiny bits of onion and celery chunks.
Never tried green pepper in it but have used black olives before.

**NikoSan999** · 10-28-2010, 03:26 PM

Just plain salad dressing and mustard with relish. Sometimes I put a touch of vinegar in it...sure not fancy..I, myself would like peppers in it.

My ex-mother in law used to put in dill seed

**MaryCarney** · 10-28-2010, 03:39 PM

You all seem to be describing what I would call pasta salad - in these parts, macaroni salad is macaroni, miracle whip-type salad dressing, itty-bitty pieces of carrot and celery, a little sugar and a little vinegar - sort of like a creamy cole slaw dressing.
I sometimes make a hybrid potato/macaroni salad if I've not got enough potatoes to feed the hungry mob - stretches the dressing and tightens the consistency up a bit.

**druthb00** · 10-28-2010, 03:43 PM

Originally Posted by MaryCarney

You all seem to be describing what I would call pasta salad - in these parts, macaroni salad is macaroni, miracle whip-type salad dressing, itty-bitty pieces of carrot and celery, a little sugar and a little vinegar - sort of like a creamy cole slaw dressing.
I sometimes make a hybrid potato/macaroni salad if I've not got enough potatoes to feed the hungry mob - stretches the dressing and tightens the consistency up a bit.

Hehe, I didn't know there was a difference

My mom always called it "macaroni salad" so that's what I figured it was lol. I guess that would explain why I never liked the GFS brand that our boss would buy for counter days (we would feed the plumbers, contractors, HVAC guys that came into our counter throughout the week) The GFS brands sounds exactly like what you described, and it was really really sweet, to me anyway. I just always thought it was too sweet and too boring compared to what I was used to lol.

**MaryCarney** · 10-28-2010, 04:04 PM

Funny how things are called different names in different places! My late MIL was always taking about 'stuffed mangoes' - I thought it sounded revolting (as did a LOT of her cooking - but I digress) until she actually made it one night. Turns out what she called a 'mango' is actually a green bell pepper. It is common among older farm ladies around here to call it that, too, I've since discovered.

**YankeeMom** · 10-28-2010, 04:50 PM

I like mine simple....macaroni, peas, tuna, miracle whip, and hard boiled eggs.

**TigerGirl1226** · 10-28-2010, 04:53 PM

I like it with an Italian twist: Italian dressing instead of mayo, halved cherry tomatoes, sliced pepperoni or cubed salami, and diced artichoke hearts.

**Palooka** · 10-28-2010, 05:24 PM

I like mine with tomatoes, celery, green bell pepper, w/miracle whip, and a little mustard.

**piney** · 10-28-2010, 05:31 PM

Macaroni Salad 1/4 cup mayonnaise

1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pe
2-cups cooked macaroni(drained)
1/2 cupchopped celery
1/4 cup chopped onion
2-tablespoon chopped bell pepper

combine cooked macaroni,celery,onion,and bell pepper in a large bowl;toss to mix.In a small bowl mix mayonnaise add salt and pepper toss to mix well.Refrigerate several hours before serving.(you can add 1 Tablespoon vinegar with mayonnaise and mix until smooth if you like) I don't serves 4 when i am having lots company i just double or triple the recipe.This the best i have ate.

**Judi Dial** · 10-28-2010, 06:29 PM

Hmm. I'm not fond of mayo in salads...so I do mine with italian dressing and whatever else seems good: a bit of minced onion, maybe peas, cherry tomatoes, whatever.

One of my favorite DINNERS now is what I call 4Ps: pasta, peas, parmesan, and pesto. We only get pesto in the summer, so it's a seasonal dish here.

Judi

**Palooka** · 10-28-2010, 06:56 PM

Yum, I love just Pesto on pasta.

**lisaflex** · 10-28-2010, 07:45 PM

well, technically, macaroni salad is w/ mayo...pasta salad hasoil and vinegar (i use fresh lemon juice instead though)....

**Ceashels** · 10-28-2010, 10:15 PM

With canned tuna and green olive slices. I pour the olive juice/brine over the pasta so it can absorb the added flavor then I add the tuna and sliced olives. I then use mayo to keep it together. - Oh, since the pasta soaks up the brine it requires less mayo.

We love it here but not everyone likes green olives.