Pimento Pasta Salad is an easy and delicious take on the classic Macaroni Salad side. Perfect for potlucks, summer BBQs, and lunches too!
Pimento Pasta Salad is a quirky take on my classic Macaroni Salad, and it is the perfect side dish served along side your favorite summer foods like Crispy Fried Chicken and Easy Pulled Pork.
Sabrina’s Pimento Pasta Salad
If you like macaroni salad, both for the taste and for how easy it is to make, then you need to try this recipe. It’s unusual enough to be interesting but familiar enough to be a classic, plus the pimentos play very well off of the taste of the macaroni noodles.
Recipe Card
Ingredients
- 1 pound elbow macaroni
- 12 ounces pimento peppers , drained
- 2 cups cheddar cheese , shredded
- 3/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Cook the elbow macaroni 1 minute shy of the directions on the box then drain (don't rinse) and let cool for 10 minutes.
- In a large bowl mix the pimento peppers, cheddar cheese, mayonnaise, cayenne pepper, and kosher salt well then add in the pasta and toss until combined.
Nutrition
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Table of Contents
About This Recipe
This is a great side dish because it has a short cook time and an even shorter prep time, so you don’t need to spend all day struggling to put it together while your main dish simmers on the stove. Keep in mind that in order to get that great crisp al dente texture to your noodles you should cook them for a minute less than what the package recommends. The firmness of the macaroni is fantastic with the creaminess of the sauce, which is perfect for hot summer days. As far as pasta salad recipes go, this one is a definite win.
Chef’s Note
Pasta salad is the perfect side dish to bring to a potluck, cookout or summertime BBQ. Just like my recipes for BBQ Chicken Pasta Salad, Easy Pasta Salad, and Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta, Pimento Pasta Salad is fresh and delicious. Just be sure you make enough for everyone because people are definitely going to have seconds.
How to Store
- Serve: You shouldn’t leave Pimento Pasta Salad out for more than 2 hours at room temperature, less at hotter temperatures, due to the mayonnaise in it.
- Store: You can refrigerate pasta salad for up to 3 days before it goes bad. Make sure that you keep it in an airtight container like a sealable bag or plastic wrap.
Ideas to Serve
- Grilled Chicken: An easy main dish to pair with the pasta salad, you can serve it alongside or chop it up and add it to the pasta salad.
- Roast Chicken: Another easy chicken option that works so well with macaroni salad.
- Grilled Pork Tenderloin: The perfect summer grilling option to pair with this recipe as a side.
Variations
- Cheese: You can sprinkle some cheese on top of the Pimento Pasta Salad for a savory garnish that goes really well with the taste of the pimentos. I would recommend trying cheddar cheese, parmesan cheese or, if you want to stick with a theme, Pimento cheese.
- Veggies: Finely chop up some green onions or bell peppers for some delicious add-ins that have a zesty Southwestern feel to them. If you want something a little bolder, try chopping up a dill pickle and stirring it into the pasta salad.
- Spices: Sprinkle paprika, cumin, red pepper flakes or black pepper over the top of the pasta salad to add some complexity to the flavor. Just remember that a little goes a long way so start with a smaller amount and add more to taste.
Related Recipes
More Easy Summer Side Dishes
Would miracle whip work in this? I don’t like mayo or greek yogurt.
Yes!
I do not like mayo, and so want to try this. Suggestion as to a substitute for the mayo? I was raised on miracle whip…and anything with a mayo taste even to this day I cannot stand unless is covered in spices and ruins the taste of the item. I’m tired of making recipes I cannot eat. So any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated! Thank you for your time and all you have accomplished to bring us these wonderful recipes.
Do you like Greek yogurt? Greek yogurt is a good substitute plus it’s healthy. Something I substitute mayo for plain Greek yogurt in my macaroni salad. Hope this helps!
That was supposed to say “sometimes I substitute”. Can’t figure out how to change it!
I made this today for my husband and me! It is delicious! I added some green pepper and green onions for a little texture and crunch! Very easy recipe to make and tastes great!
Oh this salad is calling my name. It’s the perfect summertime salad.
We agree and there’s still some summertime left to enjoy it! 😀
Everyone at my house loved it! Can’t wait to make it again!
So great to hear! Our house loved it too!
LOVE pasta salad! Need to try your recipe!
What an incredible recipe! This has quickly become a family favorite in our home; can’t wait to make it again! Delicious!
Light, refreshing, and the perfect summer side!
OMG, I wish that I thought of this, especially since I make “Pimento Cheese Spread” often. I first had it, and fell in love with it, when we were visiting relatives in Atlanta, GA. It originated down south, everyone makes it (with their own little twist at times) to spread on crackers, or to make party sandwiches. I like to make “Pimento Cheese Grilled Cheese Sandwiches”, by scooping a generous amount of pimento cheese on Oatmeal Bread, lightly spreading the outside of both slices of bread with a good quality mayo (this makes the grilled sandwich crispy) and browning the sandwich in a cast iron skillet. I’m definitely going to make your lovely “Pimento Cheese Macaroni Salad” this coming weekend, to bring to a cookout. Thanks, Sabrina 🙂
You’re welcome Angelina. Enjoy!!
Pimento Pasta Salad
comments in opening indicates chives. In the recipe detail cayenne pepper is call for but no chives.
Confused
My apologies for any confusion Jim. The chives are meant to be a garnish, but they aren’t crucial to the recipe. 🙂