Sweet Macaroni Salad is a rich and creamy twist on a classic with a secret ingredient. It’s the perfect side dish for a summer party or BBQ!
The next time you need an easy Side Dish but want something a bit different than Classic Macaroni Salad, this sweet salad is the dish for you! For more twists on a traditional pasta salad, try my Pimento Pasta Salad or Coleslaw Macaroni Salad too.
Table of contents
Sabrina’s Sweet Macaroni Salad
Like Classic Macaroni Salad, this recipe uses tender elbow macaroni, crunchy veggies, and a creamy dressing. However, the sweetened milk and apple cider vinegar base give it a sweet, tangy taste. The carrots and bell peppers add even more natural sweetness. It’s a tangy, wonderful flavor that you won’t get enough of!
You can serve this Sweet, Creamy Macaroni Salad recipe for your next family gathering, 4th of July, or any holiday party. It’s an easy recipe to throw together quickly, but you do want to give it enough time to sit in the fridge. You can even make it a day ahead of time so you don’t have to stress about it on the day of the party.
Ingredients
- Elbow Macaroni: Elbow macaroni is a small curved tubular pasta that is hollow inside, perfect for catching the delicious sauce.
- Mayonnaise: Mayonnaise contributes to a creamy texture that evenly coats the pasta and other ingredients.
- Sweet Condensed Milk: The sweetened milk adds a pleasant sweetness to the salad and the thick milk makes it extra rich and creamy.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: Adds a tangy flavor to the Macaroni Salad and adds balanced so its not too rich.
- Carrots, Peppers, and Onion: Combining sweet and creamy elements with the crunchiness of vegetables like carrots, peppers, and onions creates a refreshing flavor profile.
Kitchen Tools & Equipment
- Large Pot: When cooking elbow pasta or any pasta, it’s important to use a large pot to ensure the pasta cooks evenly and doesn’t stick together
- Large Bowl: Use a large bowl to mix the ingredients thoroughly and also serve as a bowl for presenting the salad.
- Prep
Start by cooking the macaroni pasta. Boil the water and cook until tender. After draining the pasta, rinse it with cold water to cool it down. Then, set the pasta to the side while you prep the rest. While the pasta is cooking, chop the carrots, green bell peppers, red bell peppers, and onion.
- Dressing
Whisk the mayonnaise, sweetened condensed milk, apple cider vinegar, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl to make the sweet and tangy dressing.
- Salad Mixture
Add the carrots, peppers, onion, and cooked pasta to the dressing. Fold all the ingredients together until they’re well coated.
- Chill and Serve
Once combined, cover and refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight. Transfer to a serving dish and keep chilled when not served.
Recipe Card
Ingredients
- 1 pound elbow macaroni
- 1 1/2 cups mayonnaise
- 1 cup sweetened condensed milk
- 2/3 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
- 2 carrots , shredded
- 1 green pepper , finely chopped
- 1 red bell pepper , finely chopped
- 1/2 yellow onion , finely chopped
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to directions on the box, then drain, rinse with cold water, and set aside.
- In a large bowl whisk together mayonnaise, sweetened condensed milk, apple cider vinegar, salt, and pepper until smooth.
- Add in carrots, green bell peppers, red bell peppers, onions, and cooled pasta.
- Toss well until everything is coated, then refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight.
Nutrition
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Can macaroni salad be made ahead of time?
Yes, sweet macaroni salad can be made ahead of time, and you will need at least 4 hours for the best flavor. It tastes better when chilled and allowed to sit for a few hours or overnight to let the flavors meld together.
Nutrition Facts
Cooking Recipe Tips & Tricks
Cool the Pasta Properly
After cooking, drain the pasta in a colander and rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down quickly. This helps prevent the pasta from becoming sticky and clumping together, ensuring each piece stays separate for a better texture in the salad.
Prepare Dressing in Advance
If your macaroni salad dressing includes mayonnaise, vinegar, mustard, or spices, prepare it in a separate bowl while the pasta cooks. Letting the flavors meld together in the dressing before mixing it with the pasta can enhance the overall taste of the salad.
What to Pair With Sweet Macaroni Salad
Air Fryer Chicken: Air Fryer Roasted Chicken Thighs are a crispy meal with a sweet and slightly spicy flavor. Easy to make and ready in about a half hour!
Easy Baked Chicken: Easy Baked Chicken is flavored perfectly with paprika, salt, and pepper, then baked to crisp and juicy perfection in just 45 minutes.
Grilled Chicken Wings: Grilled Chicken Wings are cooked to juicy, crispy perfection with a smoky flavor. Up your grilling game with this easy chicken wings recipe!
Broiled Steak: Broiled Steak makes it easy to create the perfect steak dinner without a grill: Cook tender, juicy steak in less than 30 minutes! Try today!
Air-Fried Ribeye Steaks: This is the easiest recipe for tender and juicy steak. It’s ready in under 15 minutes and topped with blue cheese butter.
Easy Grilled Shrimp: Easy Grilled Shrimp is the ultimate and easy appetizer dish flavored in honey, garlic, and paprika marinade and grilled to crispy perfection.
Coca-Cola Pulled Pork: Easy Coca-Cola Pulled Pork is a slow cooker pork recipe made with pork shoulder and a can of cola. Great for sandwiches, tacos, and more!
How to Store
- Serve: Don’t leave Sweet Macaroni Salad at room temperature for over 2 hours.
- Store: Macaroni salad can be kept in the fridge for up to four days, covered in saran wrap, or put in an airtight container.
- Freeze: The mayonnaise in the recipe won’t freeze well, so if you haven’t finished the salad after 4 days, it’s better to make a fresh batch.
Ideas to Serve Macaroni Salad
Potluck or Party Buffet
Macaroni salad is a classic potluck dish. Serve it in a large serving bowl or platter so guests can help themselves. Pair it with other salads, like coleslaw or potato salad, to create a varied spread.
Serve macaroni salad as a main dish for a light lunch or dinner.
Pair the sweet salad with your favorite savory main dishes, like Tri-Tip Beef or Baked Chicken Drumsticks. The smoked, meaty flavors will play up the contrast in the Macaroni Salad, bringing out the best in both dishes. The mouth-watering combo will surely be a favorite with you and all your guests.
Adding protein makes it heartier.
You can make this a tasty lunch dish by adding some cooked protein like cubed chicken or seafood. Try it with surimi (imitation crab sticks) to make a seafood macaroni salad perfect for summer!
Frequent Questions
Sweet macaroni salad is a type of pasta salad typically made with elbow macaroni noodles and a sweet dressing.
Sweet macaroni salad is typically served cold or at room temperature. Chilling it helps the flavors develop and enhances its refreshing quality, making it a popular choice for picnics, potlucks, and barbecues.
If stored in an airtight container, it will usually keep well for about 3 to 5 days. Be sure to stir it well before serving again, as the dressing may settle or absorb into the pasta over time.
Sweet macaroni salad pairs well with grilled meats such as chicken, pork chops, or burgers. It also complements barbecue dishes, sandwiches, and other picnic or potluck favorites. Serving it alongside fresh fruits or a green salad can balance out the meal.
Variations
- Sweeteners: To make the Creamy Macaroni Salad even sweeter, add ½ cup of sugar, brown sugar, or honey to the dressing.
- Pasta: Instead of macaroni pasta, you can use different kinds of shortcut pasta. Small shells, ditalini, bow ties, orzo, or penne would all work nicely.
- Add-ins: For extra crunchy, flavorful vegetables, try mixing in red onion, celery, peas, diced tomatoes, cucumber, or green onions. You could add some seasoning like red pepper flakes, Italian seasoning, chili powder, cumin, paprika, or oregano.
- Meat: Add some meat to make the Sweet Macaroni Salad more filling. Cooked chicken, turkey, ham, or turkey would make tasty additions. This is especially good if you want to enjoy Macaroni Salad as a main dish for lunch.
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