Creamy Macaroni Salad

Karen From Colorado's Note:

This is my own macaroni salad. I did not get it from my mother or my grandmother and I did not get it out of a book or off the internet. It is not Amish, Cajun, Mexican or any other description of the various macaroni salads that are posted on the internet. It is my own made up salad. It is designed after my own Creamy Potato Salad that I have posted on Recipezaar (with 121 high reviews, thank you very much to those that have tried it). The dressing is mostly the same, but there are a few other ingredients in this salad that is not in my potato salad. I hope some of you will enjoy it as much as you did the other.

• Total Time: 45 mins
• Prep Time: 30 mins
• Cook Time: 15 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 20

• 1 lb large elbow macaroni, cooked to desired tenderness
• 1/2 cup thinly sliced celery
• 1/4 cup finely diced sweet onion
• 1 small red sweet bell pepper, finely diced
• 1/4-1/2 cup sliced pimento stuffed olive
• 1 1/2 cups mayonnaise (I like half and half) or 1 1/2 cups salad dressing (I like half and half)
• 2 teaspoons prepared yellow mustard
• 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
• 1/4 cup sweet pickle relish
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon celery seed
• 1/2 lb bacon, prepared as in Homemade Fresh Bacon Bits

Directions:

1. Mix cooled macaroni, celery, onions, bell pepper and green olives together in a large bowl.
2. In a separate bowl mix together the mayonnaise, mustard, vinegar, pickle relish, sugar, salt, pepper and celery seed, stirring well.
3. Stir dressing into the macaroni mixture.
4. Stir in the crumbled bacon.
5. Serve chilled.
6. For another variation, omit the green olives, add sliced black olives and a container of grape tomatoes.
7. For a meal type salad, add diced cooked chicken or tuna fish.

Reviews

[kitndean]

This is the best recipe for macaroni salad I have made in 40 years of cooking. Thanks

[Demandy]

Sorry I didn't like this, felt it was a bit dry and also had too much celery seed.

[FoodLover360]

Whoa! This is one of the greatest macaroni salads I've ever had/made! My DH said it was the BEST he'd ever eaten. I think the key is the celery seed. I'll be making again for sure!! Made exactly as written, no subs. Cut the serving size in half. That's for a wonderful summertime bbq (or anytime) recipe!