Karens Macaroni Salad Recipes

KAREN'S MACARONI SALAD

Steps:

• Cook macaroni according to package directions.
• Drain and rinse well with cold water.
• In a large bowl mix mayo, onion, olives, salt and pepper until well combined.
• Add macaroni and mix well.
• Refrigerate until serving.

MACARONI SALAD

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the macaroni and cook as the label directs until al dente. Drain and let cool.
• Toss the macaroni with the tomatoes, radishes, bell pepper, scallions and cucumber in a large bowl.
• In a small bowl, whisk the mayonnaise with the vinegar, mustard, sugar and garlic salt. Add the dressing to the macaroni and vegetables and toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper. Refrigerate until serving.

CLASSIC MACARONI SALAD

Steps:

• For the dressing: Whisk the mayonnaise, sour cream, mustard, vinegar and sugar together in a small bowl or glass measuring cup. Season with salt and pepper.
• For the pasta: In a large mixing bowl, combine the macaroni, dill, celery, bell pepper and red onion. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper. Serve immediately or keep up to 2 days in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

HAM MACARONI SALAD

Steps:

• Prepare macaroni and cheese according to package directions; cool for 20 minutes. Stir in mayonnaise and mustard. Fold in the remaining ingredients. Refrigerate for 2 hours or until chilled.

KAREN'S SPRING MIX SALAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl, toss together the mixed greens, avocado, tomato, olives and pepperoncini peppers. Set aside.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the oil, vinegar, garlic salt, oregano and basil. Pour over the salad mixture and toss to coat. Sprinkle with parmesan and serve.

KAREN'S PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Salad:.
• Cook rotini until not quite done - barely al dente -- so the spirals are still very tight. Rinse in cold water to stop the cooking. (The marination of the salad in the dressing will finish "cooking" the pasta perfectly.)
• Add remaining ingredients, being careful to separate each slice of meat and cheese when you add it.
• Gently mix the dressing into the salad.
• Marinate at least 6 hours before serving.
• Dressing:
• Mix all dressing ingredients together well by using a stick blender, whisk, or just a jar for shaking.
• Taste before adding entire mixture to salad to adjust seasonings.
• NOTE: (I frequently prepare a double batch of dressing as sometimes, after marinating in one recipe of dressing, it needs a bit more. The remaining dressing is great on any salad, like fat slices of vine-ripened summer tomatoes with fresh basil, or a Greek salad with romaine, feta and olives.

KAREN'S SALMON SALAD

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
• When pasta has come to room temperature, combine it with tomatoes, green onions, pickles, salmon, mayonnaise, salt and pepper in a large bowl and mix well. Chill before serving.

KAREN'S PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Boil water for pasta (salt to taste). While pasta is cooking, mix together diced tomatoes, green onions, dressing, cheese, basil and salt & pepper.
• When pasta is done, let cool for about 10 min in a serving bowl.
• Combine the pasta with the tomato mixture. You can serve immediately or refrigerate.