Salads
Southern
Yield: 10-12
Author: Tammy Nichols
Macaroni Salad, Creamy - Master Cookbook Recipe # 568

Macaroni Salad, Creamy - Master Cookbook Recipe # 568

This Creamy Macaroni Salad is a Southern staple with a fresh, garden twist. The addition of cream cheese to the dressing creates an exceptionally rich and velvety texture that perfectly coats the tender pasta and crisp vegetables. By blanching some of the veggies with the pasta, you get a beautiful balance of flavors and textures in every bite.

This is recipe #568 in Tammy’s Master Cookbook.

Prep time: 20 minCook time: 10 minTotal time: 30 min
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Ingredients

  • 16 oz. elbow macaroni
  • 8 oz. cream cheese, room temperature
  • 1/2 jar mayonnaise
  • 1 sweet onion, chopped
  • 1 cucumber, chopped
  • 4 oz. jar pimientos
  • 2 Tbsp pickle relish
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp celery seed
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp Mrs. Dash Original
  • 3/4 tsp salt (plus 1 tsp for pasta water)
  • Optional Veggies: 12 oz. frozen baby green peas, 1 chopped zucchini, 1 chopped squash, 2 sliced and halved radishes.

Instructions

  1. Prep the Veggies: Wash and trim your vegetables. Chop the onion, cucumber, zucchini, and squash into cubes. Set aside half of the chopped onion and half of the chopped cucumber.
  2. Boil the Pasta: Bring a large pot of water to a boil with 1 tsp of salt. Add the macaroni and boil for 8 minutes.
  3. Blanch the Veggies: Immediately add the peas, zucchini, radishes, squash, and the first half of the onion to the boiling pasta. Boil everything together for another 2 minutes.
  4. Cool Down: Drain the pasta and vegetables in a colander and rinse immediately under cold running water to stop the cooking process.
  5. Mix the Base: In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta mixture with the remaining raw cucumbers and onions.
  6. Whisk the Dressing: In a separate bowl, use a hand mixer to blend the cream cheese, mayonnaise, pimientos, pickle relish, black pepper, celery seed, salt, onion powder, and Mrs. Dash until completely smooth and creamy.
  7. Combine: Pour the creamy dressing over the pasta and vegetables. Toss well until everything is thoroughly coated. Taste and add extra salt or pepper if desired.
  8. Chill: Refrigerate the salad for at least an hour before serving to let the flavors meld.

Notes

Tammy's Tips

Using room-temperature cream cheese is essential for getting that dressing perfectly smooth. If you find the salad has soaked up too much dressing after sitting in the fridge, you can stir in a tiny splash of milk or an extra spoonful of mayo to loosen it back up before serving. This is the perfect side dish for any backyard barbecue!