Chicken And Egg Macaroni Salad
Chicken and Egg Macaroni Salad is a holiday favorite. This is something that my family serve during Christmas and special occasions. The good thing about this mac salad, aside from tasting great, is its ease in preparation. Everything can be completed within 30 minutes. If you want your salad cold, it can be chilled in the fridge for at least 1 hour before serving.
I enjoy having this version of macaroni salad as a side for fried chicken. It can also be enjoyed by itself for lunch or dinner. As a personal preference, I add more salad dressing to make it richer and creamier. I also add a few drops of hot sauce to make it a bit spicy.
How To Make This Macaroni Salad Dressing
Pickle juice is the secret! The dressing for this salad is a mayonnaise base thats been thinned out with pickle juice reserved from the sweet pickles added to the salad. I always use sweet pickles, so if you use another style, taste test it to your liking. If youre not a fan of pickles, you could substitute vinegar or lemon juice. Taste as you go to get the right balance. But for me, its sweet pickle juice all the way.
Refrigerate for the flavors to meld. This salad tastes best when its had some time in the refrigerator for the flavors to meld and the mayo sauce to permeate the noodles. Allow for at least an hour of chill time before serving, or make it the night before for the best, flavorful taste. And always remember to taste again before serving to decide if more salt and pepper seasoning needs to be added.
And really its as simple as that, and way better than mac salad served from a box.
Equipment And Supplies Needed
We used the following equipment and supplies to make this recipe. Items that are optional or can be substituted will be noted.
- 6 Quart stockpot To boil the macaroni until al dente.
- Small stockpot To boil the eggs.
- Strainer To strain the excess water from the pasta.
- Cutting board & knife To chop all the vegetables.
- Medium mixing bowl & whisk To combine the dressing.
- Large bowl with cover or plastic wrap To store/chill the pasta salad.
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Walmart Deli Fried Chicken + Easy Macaroni Salad
Walmart deli fried chicken!! Yep, you just cant beat it. Succulent and juicy fried chicken that tastes homemade without the huge mess and for an absolute STEAL. Im guessing the pricing varies slightly by store, but around here, you can get an 8-piece order for $6.23. However, I always upgrade to the 16-piece for the low price of $10.98 to feed my larger-than-average family.
If youre looking for an even bigger order to feed a crowd, call ahead to your local Walmart Hot Deli to order a 50-piece batch for around $45 or a 100-piece for around $75. And if there happens to be some left over? Well, it makes the BEST fried chicken salad the next day.
In any case, all sizes pair perfectly with this easy macaroni salad recipe and are a quick grab while youre picking up the ingredients for it or just doing your regular grocery shopping. No need to make a special trip to the store!
Looking to purchase some ready-made bulk side dishes, instead? May I recommend the deli mashed potatoes and/or the signature macaroni and cheese . All are delish!
What Else Can I Add
I like to throw a lot of ingredients in this recipe like pickles, red onion, celery and black olives. Some people dont like celery in their macaroni salads, so if thats you, then simply dont add them. I personally like the extra crunch you get from the celery. I love the saltiness that the pickles and olives give this salad. With a heavier and creamier dressing, that bit of zing really helps keep those flavors alive.
Of course, this is your salad, so you can make it however you like! Here are a few ideas for mix-ins that would be great in this recipe:
- Cherry tomatos
- Feta cheese
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Why You Will Love This Macaroni Salad Recipe
Just like Grandma used to make: This recipe version tastes like traditional macaroni salad. Its a 10-15 minute salad, longer if you dont have your pasta ready. You can also boil your pasta and cool a day, so this is a perfect make-ahead side dish.
Easy to alter: One thing about an old-fashioned macaroni salad recipe is that everyone has an opinion. There are hoards of variations regarding this traditional side dish and what you like in it or on it is something that is continuously debated. Growing up I was exposed to just about every macaroni salad that you can imagine.
Classic expected side dish: From tangy to sweet, every picnic, church function, and family get-together has included this aging staple. And why not? Wrapped up in delicious spices and mayo, the pasta in the macaroni salad is so creamy and delicious. Now, this particular macaroni salad recipe is a basic version but its absolutely the best macaroni salad. It can be added and detracted from quite easily to make the recipe your own.
Best Way To Add Crunch
As stated above, this recipe is a classic salad. As such, I leave out the whole filled with tons of ingredients and rely on simple flavors just like my grandma used to make . However, if you want to add more to it, this BBQ side dish is super simple to alter.
If you like crunch, try a bit of sweet onion, some green peppers, or if you want more flavor a tsp of sweet pickle juice or white vinegar. I love experimenting and creating new salads, although this recipe, as is, needs nothing else!
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How To Make Macaroni Salad
Making this classic macaroni salad is simple and takes just a few steps. Youll need just around an hour to bring it all together, though I recommend extra time to allow it to chill before serving. Heres a summary of what to do:
- Prepare the macaroni. Cook the pasta al dente according to the package instructions, rinse with cold water, and set aside.
- Combine all salad ingredients. Chop and combine all macaroni salad ingredients in a large bowl.
- Make the dressing. Whisk together all dressing ingredients until smooth.
- Toss together, garnish and serve. Toss the salad with the dressing until everything is coated, sprinkle with paprika if desired, and serve.
Deviled Egg Macaroni Salad
Deviled egg fans, this one is for you! A pasta salad that has all of the flavors of deviled eggs, the popular and a staple appetizer of any party and get-together. Its creamy, full of flavor and textures.
I combined my love for pasta salads with the obsession for easy appetizers to enjoy in this macaroni salad. Its a combination of macaroni, hard boiled eggs, celery and pickles for crunch, red onion for zing and a creamy mustard dressing that brings it all together. This Deviled Egg Macaroni Salad needs to be at your next party table!
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Moms Classic Macaroni Salad With Egg
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This big batch classic macaroni salad with egg recipe has a bit of a surprising combination of ingredients in its dressing. Filled with fresh veggies and hard-boiled eggs always a crowd favorite!
This is a sponsored conversation on behalf of Tyson Foods, Inc. all opinions and text are my own. Thanks for supporting me and the brands I love!
Classic Macaroni Salad Ingredients:
Macaroni You could really use any small shape of pasta, but it is called macaroni salad, so
Hard Boiled Eggs Boil them yourself or buy the pre-boiled and peeled kind to keep this extra easy!
Onion We mince this up really finely.
Mayonnaise Weve never used Miracle Whip in place of mayo for this recipe and I wouldnt recommend it.
Mustard
Vinegar Weve always used white distilled vinegar here, but apple cider vinegar will also work.
Green Olives They add the perfect salty, briny flavor to this salad. Theyre a must!
Salt & Pepper
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How To Serve Macaroni Salad
We enjoyed this Deviled Egg Macaroni Salad alongside BBQ ribs and its was a feast! Our kiddos devoured it and we had no leftovers whatsoever. Score!! It was so delicious, that now I want to make it more often and maybe even add bacon and chopped tomatoes! You can add whatever you like in your deviled eggs, and we all know there are unlimited versions of that appetizer.
How To Make Macaroni Salad From Scratch
Sometimes you just dont mess around with the classics. While some might look at this macaroni salad recipe and think its too simple thats exactly why its a time-proven favorite.
While Ive always been a fan of potato salad its taken me years to come around to macaroni salad. The reason being is that every time I tried one, it was never a good one. They were either too dry, too plain, or too heavily loaded with a goopy, flavorless mayo dressing that coated the macaroni like oil on a dipstick and likely came from a pre-packaged box from the deli counteryes! That stuff usually comes from a box!
Theres nothing worse than that acrid taste of fake mayo macaroni salad. You know. Youve been there.
But, this old-fashioned macaroni salad from scratch is everything those others were not. First off, its homemadetoss the box! Its simple but well-seasoned. Its dressed just right with a tangy but light mayo dressing. And the pasta is neither clumpy nor starchy, but smooth and satisfying with every bite.
I really do love this salad but Im going to defer to my husband on this one, who as a self-proclaimed macaroni salad connoisseur did attest, Honey, this is still the best macaroni salad Ive had. Ever.
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Tips & Tricks For The Best Macaroni Salad
For the best macaroni salad to enjoy as a side dish or on its own, follow these tips and tricks!
Nobody likes soggy pasta! You want your macaroni al dente so make sure to boil it for no more than 9 minutes.
Youre going to want the macaroni to be coated in dressing so make sure the pasta can hold its shape and not get mushy. When its cooked, drain thoroughly and let it cool down to room temperature before mixing it in with the wet ingredients.
The best way to enjoy macaroni is when its cold! Its recommended to keep it in the fridge for at least a few hours before serving. If you can, make this the night before and keep your macaroni chilled overnight.
This not only ensures that its cool when served, but your ingredients will also have time to blend together for an even better tasting macaroni salad!
Heres a trick you can use if you want to impress your guests. Make your macaroni salad extra pretty by adding a few bits of chopped red and green pepper on top!
Expert Tips And Recipe Variations
To mix your classic macaroni salad up, you can add drained green olives, vegetables like crunchy diced bell pepper, or even sweet pickles . Alternative fresh herbs are often used to add additional seasoning. Fresh dill is a common choice.
Not a fan of elbow macaroni? Feel free to experiment with different pasta sizes as well. If you choose something other than the macaronis and go with farfalle, pasta shells, or fusilli it can bring a texture change that a lot of people really love as unique.
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How To Make The Best Creamy Macaroni Salad Recipe
Cooking the macaroni correctly is essential to a good mac salad. Overcook it and youll end up with mushy bites that wont stand up to the mixing with the vegetables. Cook the macaroni al denté as you would your favorite Italian pasta. Watching your cooking time and cooking to the package directions should ensure the perfect bite. And to be sure, taste test every minute or so when coming to the end of your cooking time.
After cooking, rinse the macaroni so it doesnt stick. The macaroni salad trick I learned from my mom is to rinse the pasta after cooking and drain it really well so theres no residual water lurking in the pasta nook and crannies. Rinsing the pasta under cold water stops the cooking time and removes some of the starches created from cooking. As the pasta cools, toss it a bit with your hands or a spoon so it stays loose and doesnt clump together.
Pickles, eggs, celery and more! Grandmas recipe had the same basics as this one, but I added more sweet picklesbecause I could eat pickles on dirt if I had toand hard boiled eggbecause in my humble opinion, mayo based salads always taste better with a touch of a hard boiled egg.
What Ingredients Are In Macaroni Salad
Different macaroni salads contain different ingredients, but my staples include:
- Elbow macaroni
- Hard boiled eggs or shredded or diced cheddar cheese
- A homemade mayo-based macaroni salad dressing
You can obviously add your favorite additional add-ins or make substitutions , but this if my favorite combination and I really recommend you try it out exactly this way at least once for yourself.
The dressing I just mentioned is what really sets it apart from other potluck recipes you might have tried. It provides just the right amount of creaminess the noodles are coated in just enough sauce and are neither dry nor are they drenched in the dressing. Its also just slightly sweetened thanks to the addition of some sweet pickle juice and a pinch of sugar.
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Why This Recipe Works
It’s a great way to use up your cucumbers.
It’s simple and great for picnics and BBQ’s.
No need to chop a bunch of veggies up like you normally would do with the traditional one.
Cucumber macaroni salad is so easy. Just dice the onions, mini peppers, eggs and cucumbers. Easy peasy. It’s best to make this salad the day before you need it. Check the recipe notes for more info. Seriously, cucumbers make macaroni salad taste amazing! Don’t knock it until you try it!
Make Ahead And Storing Leftovers
- Make ahead: You can easily assemble this salad the night before and have it ready to go the next day.
- How long does macaroni salad last? Macaroni salad with egg should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator and will keep for 3-5 days. Do not leave this salad out at room temperature or, worse, out in the sun. If you think it might have been left out for too long, your best option is to toss it. Mayo-based dressings do not do well in the heat.
- Can you freeze macaroni salad? I dont recommend it. Salads with a mayonnaise base tend not to freeze well, as the sauce may separate. You can technically freeze the salad and the dressing separately but I just prefer to make it fresh each time. Then theres no need to worry about flavors or textures changing and youre guaranteed a fresh, flavorful salad.
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How To Make The Best Macaroni Salad
How Long Can You Keep Macaroni Salad
The first rule of macaroni salad is never leave it out at room temperature for too long! Remember, you want to serve this cold. If you wont be eating it in the next hour, keep it in the fridge.
If you want your macaroni salad to last longer, keep it in an airtight container in your refrigerator. Do this and it will last for up to five days.
Unfortunately, macaroni salad cant be frozen because it has a lot of moisture. Dont worry though, this recipe is too delicious so it wont last long on your dining table!
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How To Make It Healthier
You can easily make this macaroni salad recipe much healthier by ditching the mayonnaise and using sour cream. It won’t taste the same but with a couple tweaks, you can still make it taste delicious. I honestly think mayonnaise-based tastes better. You could even do a combo of mayonnaise and sour cream or even try yogurt or ditch the all three and use a zesty Italian dressing. Check the recipe below for a couple of tips.
This macaroni salad doesn’t have any celery but feel free to add them if you like. I did infuse some celery flavor into the salad by adding celery salt or you could even add celery seeds. This recipe also contain eggs. I love hard -boiled eggs but if you like soft boiled eggs then go for it.