macaroni salad
{{short description|Type of pasta salad}}
{{Infobox food
| name = Macaroni salad
|image_size=
| caption = Top: Macaroni salad from Dayton, Virginia
Bottom: Filipino chicken macaroni salad
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| course = Side dish or appetizer
| type = Salad
| served = Cold
| main_ingredient = Macaroni, usually mayonnaise, onions, pickles, celery
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Macaroni salad is a type of pasta salad also referred to as "mac salad", served cold, made with cooked elbow macaroni and usually prepared with mayonnaise. Much like potato salad or coleslaw in its use, it is often served as a side dish to barbecue, fried chicken, or other picnic style dishes.{{cite web | author=The Christian Science Monitor | title=Buttermilk bacon cheddar macaroni salad | website=The Christian Science Monitor | date=September 24, 2014 | url=https://www.csmonitor.com/The-Culture/Food/Stir-It-Up/2014/0924/Buttermilk-bacon-cheddar-macaroni-salad | access-date=December 22, 2017}} Like any dish, national and regional variations abound but generally it is prepared with raw diced onions, dill or sweet pickles and celery and seasoned with salt and pepper.{{cite book | last1=Burgoyne | first1=J. | last2=Tremblay | first2=C. | last3=Van Ackere | first3=D. | title=The New Best Recipe | publisher=America's Test Kitchen | series=Best Recipe | year=2004 | isbn=978-0-936184-74-6 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=o0w-AQAAIAAJ | access-date=December 22, 2017 | page=103}}
By country
=Australia and New Zealand=
In Australia and New Zealand, it is commonly known as pasta salad, which is usually made with cooked shell pasta pieces and bought from supermarket delis.{{Cn|date=February 2025}}
=Philippines=
In the Philippines, macaroni salad is a dessert or appetizer with a mildly sweet flavor. It does not use onions, pepper, or celery. It typically uses native sweetened jellies, cheese, as well as various fruits in contrast to western macaroni salads. It is commonly consumed during holidays such as Christmas and New Year's Day, as well as parties and gatherings.{{cite book | title=Food, Cuisine, and Cultural Competency for Culinary, Hospitality, and Nutrition Professionals | publisher=Jones & Bartlett Learning | year=2010 | isbn=978-1-4496-5968-4 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Tl9Pcq25s8AC&pg=PA516 | access-date=December 22, 2017 | page=516}} A common variant adds shredded chicken and is known as chicken salad or chicken macaroni salad.{{cite book | last1=Garcia | first1=M. | last2=Tettoni | first2=L.I. | title=Filipino Cookbook: 85 Homestyle Recipes to Delight Your Family and Friends | publisher=Tuttle Publishing | year=2012 | isbn=978-1-4629-0528-7 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IQDQAgAAQBAJ&pg=PT26 | access-date=December 22, 2017 | page=26}}{{cite web |last1=Merano |first1=Vanjo |title=Filipino Chicken Macaroni Salad Recipe |url=https://panlasangpinoy.com/2018/11/15/filipino-chicken-macaroni-salad-recipe/ |website=Panlasang Pinoy |access-date=16 December 2018}}
=United States=
In the United States, macaroni salad has been described as a "deli staple".
In Hawaii, macaroni salad is a popular staple in plate lunches and is traditionally made with grated onion and macaroni cooked until very soft.{{cite web | title=How to make Hawaiʻi plate-lunch-style macaroni salad. |last=Paiva |first=Derek | website=Hawaii Magazine | date=December 4, 2009 | url=https://www.hawaiimagazine.com/blogs/hawaii_today/2009/12/4/hawaii_style_plate_lunch_macaroni_salad_recipe | access-date=December 22, 2017}}{{cite web |url=https://tastecooking.com/hawaiian-mac-salad-isnt-mainland-mac-salad/ |title=Hawaiian Mac Salad Isn't Mainland Mac Salad |last=Cheung |first=Alexis |date=February 25, 2019 |website=Taste |access-date=April 26, 2022}} In Puerto Rico, macaroni salad may contain mayonnaise, mustard, canned tuna or bits of Spam, onions, Cubanelle peppers and pimentos.{{Cn|date=February 2025}}
See also
{{Portal|Food}}
References
{{reflist}}
Further reading
{{Cookbook|Macaroni Salad}}
- {{cite book | last=Neil | first=M.H. | title=Salads, Sandwiches and Chafing Dish Recipes | publisher=D. McKay | year=1916 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VP4pAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA216 | access-date=December 22, 2017 | page=216}}
{{Pasta dishes}}
{{Philippine cuisine}}