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You are here: Home / COOK / Macaroni Salad With Bacon and Cheddar

May 21, 2013 By Cyn Gagen 16 Comments

Macaroni Salad With Bacon and Cheddar

Filed Under: COOK, Salads Tagged With: macaroni salad, picnics

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This macaroni salad with bacon and cheddar is a family favorite! Even my daughter, who doesn’t like mac and cheese, loves it. We serve it all summer long (and sometimes in the dead of winter too – it makes for a nice change!)

I’ve got the basic recipe for you below along with some variations that you can try. There are so many ways to change this up according to what you like or what you have on hand.

It’s time for backyard barbecues and picnics in the park! I just love this time of year.  Summertime just screams cold dishes and salads to me. I like to have some that are hearty, like pasta salads and the like but I’m pretty fussy about those. 

Here’s one that after some experimentation over the years, I’ve come up with and really enjoy.  Not only that, but I recently served it to my mom and daughter, both of whom aren’t big on macaroni salad, and they both really loved this one.

Ingredients:

1 lb. elbow macaroni, cooked according to package directions

1 cup mayonnaise – you can try getting creative with some of those mayo blends like avocado mayo or roasted garlic mayo but for this recipe, just plain old Hellmann’s is my preference

1/2 onion, diced – I prefer either red or Vidalia

6 slices bacon, cut into small pieces and fried until crispy (Small cubes of ham are a good substitute).

1 pkg. Ranch dressing mix

8 oz. cheddar cheese, cut into small cubes

Salt and pepper to taste (I personally find it salty enough between the Ranch mix, cheese, and bacon)

Other additions that can be yummy in this too: chopped celery, chopped hard-boiled eggs, leftover cooked peas, chopped radishes, leftover cooked corn, baby spinach, arugula

Adding some fresh herbs can be nice too – parsley or basil are good options.

Instructions: This is so quick and easy.  Once the macaroni and bacon have cooled, simply mix all the ingredients together.  I like to cover the bowl with plastic wrap and put it in the fridge for a few hours to chill before serving.  Yum!

I’m joining the party and linking this recipe post up here – be sure to check out the other great recipes, crafts, and DIY posts in this linky party:

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Tammi @ My Organized Chaos says

    May 21, 2013 at 9:52 am

    I make this salad all the time, love it!!

    Reply
  2. Amiyrah says

    May 21, 2013 at 10:29 am

    Oh my this looks delicious! I could eat macaroni salad every day in the summer, and this looks like a great new recipe for me to try. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  3. Mariah says

    May 21, 2013 at 10:42 am

    I am pregnant and have been craving macaroni salad but the kind at the grocery store deli doesn’t appeal to me. This recipe does! I think I might be making this for Memorial Day!

    Reply
  4. Danielle says

    May 21, 2013 at 11:53 am

    Sounds like a great side dish to bring to a Memorial Day BBQ.

    Reply
  5. Chelsea says

    May 21, 2013 at 12:50 pm

    I make macaroni salad a lot during the summer but I have never seen this recipe. Looks awesome and I think my kids would love it too! Can’t wait to try it. Thanks so much for sharing!!

    Reply
  6. Lisa Weidknecht says

    May 22, 2013 at 6:08 pm

    Oh yes, bacon bacon bacon. I must try this!

    Reply
  7. Amber Edwards says

    May 23, 2013 at 12:44 am

    hmm, now that is a macaroni salad I can enjoy! Looks amazing!

    Reply
  8. Ashley S says

    May 23, 2013 at 12:56 am

    You had me at bacon!!! Sounds good 🙂

    Reply
  9. Kiley says

    May 23, 2013 at 8:58 am

    Wow! What a yummy recipe!

    Reply
  10. Tesa @ 2 Wired 2 Tired says

    May 23, 2013 at 8:58 am

    This looks delicious and makes me want to go on a picnic! My husband would love this, I’ll have to make it for him sometime.

    Reply
  11. Mitch says

    May 27, 2013 at 1:53 pm

    Wow, that has all of my fav ingredients!
    thanks for the recipe!
    Mitch

    Reply
  12. Regina @ SpecialtyCakeCreations says

    June 5, 2013 at 5:57 pm

    Mmm…this looks so yummy and like you say, perfect for warmer weather and picnics 🙂

    Reply
  13. Krystal V. says

    July 14, 2013 at 12:56 am

    looks so yummy =]

    Reply
  14. Jayne says

    July 15, 2013 at 3:21 am

    Ooooh! Easier version of a mac n cheese. I love those but am always scared of the cheese sauce. Mayo makes things easy.

    Reply
  15. kathy j says

    November 3, 2013 at 2:02 pm

    This sounds yummy and it seems easy enough to make. I am always looking for new food ideas. Thanks

    Reply
  16. Lily Kwan says

    December 13, 2013 at 6:55 am

    This recipe looks very tasty. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply

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