Super Easy Macaroni Salad

This macaroni salad is probably one of my favorite things to make for a big family bbq or potluck. It is inexpensive to throw together for a big group, easy to make as a huge batch, and has a couple servings of veggies too. It is super easy to throw together and you can make it the day before because the flavor gets better as it sets and you need to serve it cold.

This isn’t like a super gooey, overly mayonnaise-y, kinda gross macaroni salad that you find in a random deli. It is surprisingly light and only uses a little bit of mayonnaise to hold it all together.  If you like it saucier though, you can add as much as you want to make it more or less creamy! This goes for the amount of lemon, vinegar and sugar you use also because you can make it more or less tangy depending on your preferences.

The key to making this is to not overcook the pasta. You want it to be al dente so that it can absorb the flavors of the salad without getting mushy and that it can hold up for a couple of days. This will serve 8-10 people.

Ingredients:

• Elbow Macaroni … 1 box
• Green Onion …1 bunch
• Celery … 5 stalks
• Carrots … 4 large
• Lemon … ½ large or 1 small
• White Distilled Vinegar (can use apple cider vinegar)… 3 tbsp
• Mayonnaise … ¼ cup
• White Granulated Sugar … 1 tbsp
• Garlic Powder … 2 tsp
• Salt & Pepper … 2 tsp to start and more salt to taste
• Cayenne (optional) … if you like heat a couple dashes will do

To Make it:

1. Start by bringing a large pot of water to boil so you can prep while it’s heating up
2. Chop the green onion, celery, and carrot into the same size pieces (diced but not too fine so it adds texture)
3. Add macaroni to boiling water and cook according to package instructions for “al dente” minus a minute or two (check on it so it doesn’t overcook!)
4. Strain pasta and run under cold water so it doesn’t keep cooking and is cool enough to work with
5. Add the pasta and chopped vegetables to a large bowl and toss them together
6. Start with a small amount of mayonnaise over the pasta and mix it in
7. Add the lemon, vinegar, sugar, garlic powder, salt & pepper and mix through
8. Add more mayonnaise until it has a consistency you like and taste along the way
9. Once the ingredients are all mixed in, tightly cover with plastic wrap or foil and put it in the fridge for at least an hour

Serve it cold alongside your favorite protein and sides. We like it with white rice and Hawaiian teriyaki chicken and it also goes great with  Jerk chicken !

What are your favorite sides to bring to a bbq? Let me know if you’d try this for your next party!