Old Fashioned Southern Macaroni Salad with Peas and Cheese
Classic Macaroni Salad is a staple and perfect side dish for any potluck, tailgate, or barbecue. It's easy to make, and everyone will love it. It takes several ingredients which you probably already have on hand.
Servings: 12 servings (or more)
Calories: 336kcal
Ingredients
- ½ cup celery diced
- ½ cup bell pepper diced- red, green, or yellow
- 1 small onion diced
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 1 cup cheese cubes Cheddar, Pepper Jack or Colby
- 1 jalapeno (optional) finely chopped with seeds removed
- 1 pound (16 oz.) elbow macaroni dried
Dressing
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon Dijon Mustard
- 3 tablespoons sweet pickle relish
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ cup white vinegar
Instructions
- Cook the noodles according to package instructions, then drain in a colander and rinse with cool water. Shake well to remove all water and allow the noodles to cool for about 15-20 minutes. Then add to a large bowl.
- Add the diced celery, onion, bell pepper, peas, jalapeno, and cheese to the pasta. Stir well.
Dressing:
- Whisk together the dressing ingredients in a small bowl or Mason Jar (with a tight fitting lid) until smooth and creamy.
- Pour the dressing over the macaroni and stir to coat evenly. Keep the salad covered and refrigerated until ready to serve.
Notes
Recipe Tips
- Cook the pasta just until al dente, so it doesn't become mushy.
- Rinse the macaroni with cold water to stop the cooking process.
- Drain the pasta thoroughly so the dressing stays creamy and not watery.
- Make this salad several hours ahead of serving for the best flavor.
- Expert Tip: If you're making this macaroni salad a day ahead, reserve ¼ cup of the dressing or an extra spoonful of mayonnaise. Stir it into the salad just before serving to restore its creamy texture. The noodles absorb a lot of the creamy dressing while chilling in the refrigerator.
- Cut the vegetables into small, uniform pieces for the best texture.
Nutrition
Calories: 336kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 9g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Cholesterol: 17mg | Sodium: 425mg | Potassium: 169mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 472IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 85mg | Iron: 1mg
