macaroni salad
Posted by victx on Mon, Apr 17, 00 at 8:14


So how does everyone make their macaroni salad. When I was growing up everyone (mom, Grandmother, aunts) put tuna in it. I found out after I left home that that must have been a family or regional thing because I have never seen it made that way anywhere else.
Growing up macaroni salad was elbow macaroni, hard boiled eggs, tuna, some kind of salad dressing, onions, and radishes if they were in season.

Now if I am making it as a side dish I leave out the tuna but sometimes in the summer have it for a main dish in which case I use the tuna. I also don't use onions and radishes as DH doen't like then and add a bit of sweet pickle relish.



Posted by: RuthieG--MA on Mon, Apr 17, 00 at 8:37

I don't very often make macroni salad but I do prefer it without the tuna. Lots of people do put it in though. I like it with just regular salad veggis chopped finely...onions ..peppers...cuke..celery...etc...Italian dressing...
A friend of mine makes a pasta saland and it is made like pasta with red sauce only cold and made with fresh tomatos and onion...garlic ..celery etc . It is so yummy.




Posted by: JoyFL on Mon, Apr 17, 00 at 8:47

Mine is a little different. I cook the macaroni, drain and
rinse. Then I add onions, canned mushrooms and a bottle
of french dressing. Chill for a couple of hours. Then I
add cucumbers, radishes, green peppers and mayo. If I am
serving it as a main dish I add a can of Swansons chicken.
This was from a package of macaroni about 40 years ago and
was called Red, White and Green Salad. Has been a family
favorite ever since.





Posted by: Lisa-AR on Mon, Apr 17, 00 at 9:28

I like mine like Ruthie's. Mine loses it's flavor after a couple of hours though and I have to add more dressing. Does anyone know how to prevent the flavor loss?
My family likes it with eggs, onions, fresh or frozen peas and mayo.




Posted by: Debby on Mon, Apr 17, 00 at 10:19

I make one from a recipe I found in Taste of Home magazine. You use the pasta shells. Also in it are sliced black olives, cubed mozzerella cheese, cherry tomatoes, and onion. The dressing is basically an Italian dressing. Yummy!


Posted by: Marty in Ga on Mon, Apr 17, 00 at 10:27

Macaroni salad just happpens to be my speciality. I use the elbow macaronies. Cook them and while hot put in a couple of dashes of Tabasco. Then add shredded cheddar cheese,finely chopped onion and chopped green olives. Mix and add mayo to taste and salt and pepper.
This is the way my mom made it and I am the one in the family now that always makes it for get togethers.
Marty..