Macaroni and cheese is the foundation of every childhood diet, often the first thing kids learn to make for themselves. Meanwhile, macaroni salad is the catalyst for every summer picnic or backyard barbecue worth attending. How is it possible that these two keystone American staples have never met before? The share the same beloved noodle and the same creamy consistency; what’s kept them apart for all these years?

Mind you, I’m not talking about leftover mac and cheese eaten cold, straight out of the fridge, due to sheer apathy or lack of energy. We’ve all been there and I think we can agree, that is not the pinnacle of culinary achieve the concept truly deserves.

This summer, let’s make it happen. Macaroni and Cheese Salad is the stuff of dreams, made in brilliant full color.

Like the original inspiration, it doesn’t take crazy ingredients, tons of time, or extenuating effort to make possible. Just some noodles, some cheese, and a craving to kick-start the process.

Enough noodling around. What is a macaroni and cheese salad?

It’s quite simple, really. Take al dente elbow noodles and toss them in a creamy, mayonnaise dressing along with your favorite cheese shreds, tender green peas, and a touch of fresh scallions, and that’s it! Like magic, the combination becomes increasingly irresistible overtime as the flavors meld and grow more harmonious. Like any any good picnic offering, it’s ideal for making ahead of time, sitting out like a champ all day, and tasting just as fresh as the minute you made it, regardless of the conditions. That means it’s also an excellent addition to any packed lunchbox for school, work, or travel.

What can you add to level-up your macaroni and cheese salad?

That’s an easy one, my friend. Think of all the things you love in either of the original dishes, and you’ll be golden. That means…

• Rich caramelized onions
• Crisp meatless bacon bits
• Umami sauteed mushrooms
• Spicy vegan pepperoni
• Chopped tofu “eggs”
• Wilted spinach or arugula
• Fresh basil
• And beyond!

At long last, this is the mashup the world has been hungry for, even if that need was never verbalized. Just shop up at your next big summer shindig with a big bowl of this luscious pasta powerhouse, and you’ll be the guest of honor going forward.

Yield: Makes 8 - 10 Servings

Macaroni and Cheese Salad

Combine macaroni and cheese with macaroni salad to create the best summer side dish EVER! You'll want save this recipe for years to come.

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 8 minutes

Total Time 5 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 Pound Elbow Macaroni
• 2 Cups Frozen Peas
• 1 Cup Vegan Mayonnaise
• 2 Tablespoons Fresh Lemon Juice
• 2 Teaspoons Dijon Mustard
• 8 Ounces Shredded Vegan Cheddar-Style Cheese
• 4 Scallions, Thinly Sliced
• 3/4 Teaspoon Salt
• 1/4 Teaspoon Ground Black Pepper

Instructions

1. Cook the macaroni al dente, according to instructions on the package. Add the in peas during the last 1 minute of cooking time to quickly thaw them. Drain thoroughly and rinse with cold water to prevent them from getting overcooked.
2. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, lemon juice, and mustard until smooth. Add the cooked and cooled pasta and peas, shredded cheese, scallions, salt, and pepper, tossing to coat.
3. Serve right away, or cover and store in the fridge for 1 - 2 hours until thoroughly chilled. You can also make it in advance and store it in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 - 5 days.
   

Notes

Feel free to use gluten-free pasta if needed, or any other medium shape you prefer, such as shells, rotini, etc.

Recommended Products

Please note that some of the links above are affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase after clicking through the link. I have experience with all of these companies and I recommend them because they are helpful and useful, not because of the small commissions I make if you decide to buy something through my links.

• 
  Annie's Naturals, Organic, Dijon Mustard, 9 oz
• 
  De Cecco, Elbows No. 81, 1 lb
• 
  Best Foods Vegan Mayonnaise Jar Made with Non GMO Sourced Ingredients, No Artificial Flavors or Colors, No Cholesterol, Gluten Free, 1 gallon

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

10

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 311Total Fat: 20gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 25mgSodium: 456mgCarbohydrates: 24gFiber: 2gSugar: 3gProtein: 10g

All nutritional information presented within this site are intended for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and any nutritional information on BitterSweetBlog.com should only be used as a general guideline. This information is provided as a courtesy and there is no guarantee that the information will be completely accurate. Even though I try to provide accurate nutritional information to the best of my ability, these figures should still be considered estimations.

The post Make Pasta Salad Grate Again appeared first on BitterSweet.