The highlights of summertime are those backyard BBQs, family reunions and picnics. Those events are going to be even more special this year! Be the hero at your next gathering with this classic summertime salad. Our friend Jenan created this recipe for Creamy Macaroni Pasta Salad using our Sweet Bell Peppers that will be a surefire hit at your next get together.
Summer is here and nobody wants to be cooking in a hot kitchen all day long. I mean, I’d rather be sitting outside in the sun sipping on some cold drinks with friends – wouldn’t you? Today I’m sticking to the basics with a classic creamy macaroni salad. It’s a no fuss, delicious side dish that is great to serve for backyard BBQ parties or take along with you to a picnic on a hot summer day.
I remember my mom used to make this salad often when we had huge family BBQs. It’s the perfect complement to grilled meats, such as chicken, burgers, and fish. You can even serve it with slow cooked meats any time of the year. It comes together quickly and easily, so you can spend more time hanging out with your friends and family! If you’re serving a large crowd, this recipe can easily be doubled or tripled – just scale the ingredients up!
Speaking of how easy it is to make, this salad is one that you can definitely make ahead of time! You know that feeling when you’ve invited friends over for dinner and you want to prepare as much food as you can beforehand? I sure do! Or if you’re invited to a potluck and you need to whip up something that’s quick? This salad is great for that! You can make it the day before and keep it in the fridge until you’re ready to serve or take along with you.
I love using Pure Flavor® Sweet Bell Peppers in this recipe. The peppers keep their sweet crunch even when I make the salad ahead of time. The vibrant colors of the peppers really stand out against the white pasta, making it very pretty as well. I’ve always said, food tastes better when it looks good!
The key to a great macaroni salad is to not overcook the pasta. You want to make sure you cook it al dente, according to the package instructions. Once the pasta is cooked, it’s a good idea to drain the pasta immediately and rinse it in cold water. This will stop the cooking process and wash away any excess starch from the noodles so that they hold their shape well when being mixed with the veggies. It will also prevent the noodles from sticking together. Nobody likes a mushy pasta salad, right? Right!
This recipe is a basic macaroni salad, but you can get creative by adding a can of tuna to the mix and turning it into a tuna macaroni salad. Hard boiled eggs are another great addition. Or, you can add some diced up Uno Bites™ Nano Cucumbers to elevate the crunch factor. Add even more colors, textures and flavors with Sangria® Medley Tomatoes! The possibilities are endless. It’s a delicious salad on its own but can easily be changed by adding some extra ingredients to suit your own preference. If you’re not a fan of macaroni, simply switch it out for fusilli, ditalini or any small shaped pasta. The kitchen is yours to create amazing recipes, have fun with it and enjoy!
To get the full recipe, click here.
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