Deluxe Celebration Macaroni Salad
Elevate your gatherings with this Deluxe Celebration Macaroni Salad, a dish that will surely wow your guests! Packed with an array of colorful vegetables, rich cheeses, and savory delights like salami and dill pickles, each bite bursts with flavor. The creamy mayonnaise blend, paired with fragrant spices, creates a harmonious medley that is refreshing yet hearty. Perfect for potlucks, barbecues, or family reunions, this salad can be prepared a day in advance, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully. With generous servings, it’s designed to feed a crowd, making it a reliable choice for any large occasion!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
20
Ingredients
Ingredients
salad macaroni (or ditali pasta)
16 ounces (uncooked)
celery
1 cup (diced)
red onion
1 cup (diced)
yellow or white onion
1 cup (diced)
medium cheddar cheese
1 cup (diced)
Swiss cheese
1 cup (diced)
parmesan cheese
1/2 cup (grated)
dill pickle
1 cup (diced)
salami
1 cup (diced)
black olives
1 cup (sliced)
horseradish
1/2 teaspoon (prepared)
garlic salt
1-2 tablespoons (to taste)
garlic
1-2 tablespoons (minced)
white pepper
1/2 teaspoon (ground)
black pepper
1-2 teaspoons (fresh ground)
cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon (ground)
dry mustard
1/2 teaspoon (dry)
celery salt
1/2 teaspoon (dry)
diced pimentos
3 ounces (rinsed and drained)
mayonnaise
1-1.5 cups (as needed)
Instructions
1
Bring 2 quarts of water to a rolling boil in a large pot.
2
Add the salad macaroni and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 7-9 minutes. Be careful not to overcook.
3
Drain the macaroni and rinse under cold running water until cool. Allow it to drain thoroughly and let it dry for a few minutes.
4
In a large mixing bowl, combine the dried pasta with diced celery, red onion, yellow onion, cheddar cheese, Swiss cheese, parmesan cheese, dill pickles, salami, and sliced black olives. Gently fold the ingredients together to prevent breaking the pasta.
5
Cover the bowl and refrigerate the pasta mixture for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to develop.
6
In a separate bowl, mix together garlic salt, minced garlic, white pepper, black pepper, cayenne pepper, dry mustard, and celery salt.
7
Add the spice mixture into the cold pasta salad and gently fold to combine.
8
Fold in the rinsed and drained pimentos until evenly distributed.
9
In another mixing bowl, whisk together 1 cup of mayonnaise and horseradish. Gradually fold this mixture into the pasta salad, adding more mayonnaise as needed to reach your desired creaminess.
10
Chill the salad for an additional 30 minutes to 1 hour before serving to enhance the flavors.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary pasta used in the Deluxe Celebration Macaroni Salad?
The recipe calls for 16 ounces of salad macaroni, though ditali pasta is a great alternative.
How long does it take to cook the macaroni?
The pasta should be cooked for 7 to 9 minutes until it reaches an al dente texture.
Why should the macaroni be rinsed after boiling?
Rinsing under cold water stops the cooking process and cools the pasta quickly for the salad.
What types of onions are used in this dish?
The recipe uses 1 cup of diced red onion and 1 cup of diced yellow or white onion.
Which cheeses are included in the salad?
It features a combination of diced medium cheddar cheese, diced Swiss cheese, and grated parmesan cheese.
Is there any meat in this macaroni salad?
Yes, the salad includes 1 cup of diced salami for a savory flavor.
What kind of pickles are added?
The recipe specifies 1 cup of diced dill pickles.
Does the recipe call for olives?
Yes, 1 cup of sliced black olives is included in the mixture.
How long should the pasta mixture chill before dressing is added?
It should be refrigerated for at least 2 hours, though overnight is preferred for better flavor development.
What are the key ingredients in the dressing?
The dressing is made from a blend of mayonnaise, prepared horseradish, and a variety of spices.
Which spices are used for seasoning?
The spice blend includes garlic salt, minced garlic, white pepper, black pepper, cayenne pepper, dry mustard, and celery salt.
How much mayonnaise is needed?
You should use between 1 and 1.5 cups of mayonnaise, depending on your preferred level of creaminess.
How should the pimentos be prepared?
The 3 ounces of diced pimentos should be rinsed and drained before being folded into the salad.
What is the best way to combine the ingredients?
Gently fold the ingredients together to prevent the pasta from breaking apart.
Can this recipe be made in advance?
Yes, making it a day ahead is recommended to allow the flavors to meld beautifully.
What type of mustard is required?
The recipe uses 1/2 teaspoon of dry mustard.
Is the salad spicy?
It has a slight kick from the horseradish, black pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper.
How much celery is in the recipe?
The recipe calls for 1 cup of diced celery.
How much horseradish is used?
A small amount, 1/2 teaspoon of prepared horseradish, is whisked into the mayonnaise.
Is this recipe suitable for large gatherings?
Absolutely, it is specifically designed for potlucks, barbecues, and family reunions.
What should I do after adding the dressing?
Chill the salad for an additional 30 minutes to 1 hour to enhance the final flavors.
What is the total number of ingredients?
There are 20 ingredients in total, including the pasta, vegetables, meats, cheeses, and spices.
How much water is needed to boil the pasta?
You should bring 2 quarts of water to a rolling boil.
Is there garlic in the salad?
Yes, it uses both 1-2 tablespoons of garlic salt and 1-2 tablespoons of minced garlic.
What type of parmesan is recommended?
The recipe suggests 1/2 cup of grated parmesan cheese.
Can I use white pepper instead of black?
The recipe uses both 1/2 teaspoon of white pepper and 1-2 teaspoons of fresh ground black pepper.
How much celery salt is added?
The recipe calls for 1/2 teaspoon of dry celery salt.
Is this considered a comfort food?
Yes, it is tagged as a classic recipe and comfort food.
What are the tags associated with this recipe?
Tags include salad, pasta salad, macaroni salad, party food, family reunion, and potluck.
What makes the salad 'Deluxe'?
Its rich variety of ingredients like salami, multiple cheeses, and a complex spice blend makes it a more elevated version of traditional macaroni salad.