No more store bought, gloopy, overly sweet macaroni salad! This recipe is the perfect side for grilled chicken, burgers, and sandwiches. With a few pantry staples and a handful of fresh ingredients, this salad comes together quickly and simply and is my go-to recipe anytime I get a hankerin' for a starchy side.
I need to get something off my chest.
You know those pre-made deli salads you can buy in the refrigerated section? The ones that sometimes come in cardboard milk jug-type boxes? Yeah, those. Well, I think they are an abomination to the world of salads. A homemade potato or macaroni salad can be a wonderful, wonderful thing full of flavor and texture. But these boxed varieties just ruin it for everyone.
Just imagine if one had based their views on potato salad based on what they experience from a box!
"Nah, I don't like potato salad", they say. "Macaroni Salad is gross", they say. Just think about what they are missing out on!
Fer shame.
That's why I'm divulging my macaroni salad recipe today. Let's get started! I'm not a big fan of super sweet macaroni salad, and this one fits the bill. Instead of sweetness, we're dialing up the flavor with diced olives, pimentos, and green onions.
Add some mayo, salt and pepper to the mix and you've got some pretty darn good dressing. I'm always tempted to add a little milk and lemon juice and throw it in the blender to make a smooth salad dressing...
From here you just fold in the cooked macaroni and chopped egg until it's all mixed up. That's it!
Now please, please promise me you'll never waste calories on packaged macaroni salad again. Can you do that?
Want More Delicious Picnic Salad Recipes?
- Broccoli Salad
- Chopped Asian Chicken Salad
- Bowtie Chicken Caesar Salad
- The BEST Coleslaw ever!
Picnic Macaroni Salad
Ingredients
- 1 pounds elbow macaroni
- 4 ounces canned chopped black olives
- 4 ounces chopped pimentos drained
- 1 bunch green onions chopped
- 2 cups mayonnaise
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 7 whole hard boiled eggs peeled and chopped
Instructions
- Cook elbow macaroni according to package directions, drain and run under cold water to chill. Set aside.
- In a large bowl combine olives, pimentos, onions, mayo, salt and pepper. Stir until smooth.
- Fold in cooked and chilled macaroni and chopped egg. Cover and allow to chill for 1 hour before serving.
Nutrition Facts
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Henry Larry says
The simplicity of this macaroni salad recipe is fantastic. I appreciate how it pairs well with various mains. Cant wait to whip this up for my family BBQ this weekend.
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Lyn Scott says
I'm a big fan of salad and I often make a salad like that, It's so delicious.
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Nancy | The Bitter Side of Sweet says
Totally feeling you on the whole store bought salad! I stay far far away from those. Your homemade version looks amazing!
Joanie @ Zagleft says
I'm not a fan of those store-bought salads either but am definitely a fan of macaroni salads. This looks and sounds so much better!!
Michelle @ Blackberry Babe says
I totally agree about the deli salads... Abomination! Haha! This looks much better. 🙂
Maris (In Good Taste) says
When done right, macaroni salad is my favorite picnic salad! This one looks delicious
Krista @ Joyful Healthy Eats says
OH... love that you chopped up the black olives so there is a little bit in every bite! De-lish!
Gerry @ Foodness Gracious says
I'm loving the olive touch, sounds delicious!
Shinee says
Umm yeah, those store-bought potato salads are not-so-delicious (being polite here!). Never tried macaroni salad from the store, but I was never fan of it, cuz of the sweetness. Well, you definitely convinced me of trying it again. This time your homemade version. Sounds delicious!