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–+ servings
Creamy Summer Pasta Salad in a serving bowl and on a plate.

Creamy Summer Macaroni Salad

A Classic Macaroni Salad loaded with simple ingredients like celery, yellow pepper, sliced olives, ham, bacon, and cheese all in a delicious creamy mayo-based dressing! It's a fantastic cold pasta salad perfect for all those summer Pot Lucks and BBQ's!
4 from 1 vote
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Additional Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 25 minutes
Servings 6 -8 servings
Calories 364 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups uncooked macaroni
  • 8 cups water to boil macaroni
  • 1 yellow bell pepper chopped
  • 1/2 medium red onion finely chopped
  • 1 3.8 ounce can sliced black olives
  • 1 cup diced smoked ham
  • 1/2 cup crumbled bacon bits
  • 1/2 cup finely diced celery
  • 1 cup cubed medium cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 2 teaspoons red wine vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon spicy brown mustard

Instructions
 

  • 1. Over medium-high heat, in a large pot, bring eight cups of water to a boil. Add 2 cups macaroni and cook till just past "al dente". Strain and rinse with cool water. Place cooked macaroni in a large bowl. Set aside to cool completely.
  • 2. Place all your vegetables, olives, cheese, bacon and ham into a smaller bowl as you prep them. Do NOT mix them with warm pasta as it will cause them to wilt and begin to cook.
  • 3. In a small bowl combine red wine vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper. Mix until sugar and salt dissolve. Add 1 cup mayonnaise. Stir until smooth and creamy.
  • 4. Add your vegetable bowl ingredients to your cooled pasta. Pour creamy dressing over the pasta and vegetables. Stir until well combined, making sure to stir from the bottom up so that all the pasta is covered in the dressing. Cover and chill 4-24 hours. Store in air tight container in refrigerator up to 5 days.

Nutrition

Serving: 3/4 cupCalories: 364kcalCarbohydrates: 16gProtein: 11gFat: 28gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 20gCholesterol: 30mgSodium: 708mgFiber: 2gSugar: 1g
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