Kiddie Macaroni Salad Recipes

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.

KID-FRIENDLY PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Cook the pasta according to the packet instructions. Then drain and rinse in cold water until cool. Set aside.
• Cut the bacon into 1/2-inch pieces and throw into a large skillet. Saute until slightly crisp, and then remove to a paper-towel-lined-plate.
• For the dressing, mix the mayonnaise, milk, vinegar, salt, and sugar if using in a small bowl.
• Stir together the pasta, dressing, tomatoes, bacon, Cheddar and green onions in a large mixing bowl. Taste for seasonings, adding more salt and pepper if needed.
• Stir in the basil at the end.

FAST, EASY, DELICIOUS MACARONI SALAD - EVEN YOUR KIDS WILL LOVE

Steps:

• Boil noodles like you normally would do. Until done. Drain the noodles. Put them in a large bowl and put in the fridge to cool. (Faster prep: Run them under cold water until cool then let sit so all of the water will drain).
• Mince pickles and black olives. (Faster & easier prep: Buy dill pickle relish and already chopped black olives).
• Chop green onions.
• After noodles are cool add mayonnaise (more or less to taste) & mustard (optional) and mix together.
• Add pickle, olives, & green onions and mix. (Can use more or less. I personally like a lot of pickles and little onion & olives).
• Add salt and pepper to taste.
• Put in the fridge to chill. (Sometimes you may need to add more mayo when ready to serve).
• Add the cheese when you are serving. (I let everybody add as much as they want. Makes it fun for the kids).

MIDDLE EASTERN-INSPIRED MACARONI SALAD

Steps:

• Cook macaroni according to package directions; drain and rinse with cold water. Cool completely. Meanwhile, in a small skillet, cook lamb over medium heat until no longer pink, 6-7 minutes, breaking into crumbles; drain. Set aside to cool completely. , For dressing, in a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, sugar, mustard, salt and pepper. In a large bowl, combine chickpeas, onion, za'atar seasoning, macaroni and lamb. Add dressing; gently toss to coat. , Refrigerate until serving. Top with yogurt and lemon zest if desired.

CHICAGO MACARONI SALAD

Steps:

• Fill a pot with lightly salted water and bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Once the water is boiling, stir in the salad macaroni, and return to a boil. Cook the pasta uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the pasta has cooked through, but is still firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Drain well in a colander set in the sink, and rinse with cold water until chilled. Drain again to remove excess water.
• Place macaroni, broccoli, Cheddar cheese, green pepper, pickle relish, dill pickle, celery, black olives, green olives, green onion, carrot, and pimento in a salad bowl, and toss lightly to combine. In a bowl, whisk together the light mayonnaise, mustard, salt, sugar, and black pepper to make a smooth dressing; pour the dressing over the salad, and lightly mix to coat all ingredients with dressing. Refrigerate at least 4 hours to blend flavors before serving.

KIDDIE MACARONI SALAD

Steps:

• In a large mixing bowl, toss together cooled cooked pasta, celery, onion, peas, ham and cheese.
• In a small mixing bowl, whisk together mayo, vinegar, sugar, mustard, ketchup, salt, pepper, dill and paprika until well-blended.
• Pour mayo dressing mixture over salad mixture and stir to coat well.