Macaroni Salad for a Crowd
This Macaroni Salad for a Crowd is creamy, crunchy, and perfect for feeding a large group at barbecues, picnics, potlucks, reunions, or family gatherings. Loaded with tender macaroni, crisp vegetables, and a tangy sweet dressing, this classic side dish is easy to prepare ahead of time and always a crowd favorite.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 3 hours 5 minutes
- Yield: 50 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
8 pounds macaroni
16 celery stalks, finely chopped
8 medium onions, finely chopped
8 green bell peppers, finely chopped
2 cups shredded carrots
64 ounces mayonnaise
4 cups granulated sugar
1 1/4 cups mustard
1/4 cup salt
4 teaspoons black pepper
2 cups distilled white vinegar
Optional parsley for garnish
Optional diced ham
Optional shredded chicken
Optional tuna
Instructions
1. Bring a very large pot of salted water to a boil.
2. Add the macaroni and cook until tender according to package instructions.
3. Drain the macaroni immediately and rinse under cold water to cool completely.
4. While the pasta cools, finely chop the celery, onions, and green bell peppers.
5. In a very large mixing bowl, combine mayonnaise, granulated sugar, mustard, salt, black pepper, and distilled white vinegar.
6. Whisk the dressing until smooth and fully combined.
7. Add the chopped vegetables and shredded carrots to the dressing mixture.
8. Stir well to evenly coat the vegetables.
9. Add the cooled macaroni to the bowl.
10. Mix everything thoroughly until the macaroni is completely coated with dressing.
11. Cover the bowl tightly and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.
12. Stir the salad well before serving to refresh the creamy texture.
13. Serve chilled.
Notes
Prepare the vegetables ahead of time to save preparation time on serving day.
Adjust the sugar, mustard, or vinegar based on your personal taste preferences.
For a lighter version, replace part of the mayonnaise with Greek yogurt.
Add proteins like diced ham, chicken, or tuna to make the salad more filling.
Fresh herbs like parsley or dill add extra flavor and color.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 39g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
Find it online: https://doughdazzle.com/macaroni-salad-for-a-crowd/