Sweet Macaroni Salad – seriously THE BEST macaroni salad EVER!! I took this to a potluck and it was the first thing gone. Everyone asked for the recipe! Can make this ahead of time and refrigerate overnight. Elbow macaroni, red onion, green bell pepper, carrots, sweetened condensed milk, mayonnaise, cider vinegar, sugar, salt and pepper. This is our new favorite side dish!!! #sidedish #pastasalad #potluck
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Pin This RecipePasta salads are a favorite in our house, and this Sweet Macaroni Salad is no exception! This has actually quickly become our go-to pasta salad. I like to make a big batch on Sunday for an easy side at lunch during the week.
Now, the ingredients sound really crazy, but they taste amazing! A can of sweetened condensed milk gives the macaroni salad the sweetness. I know it sounds super weird, but don’t worry. The other ingredients really mellow out the sweetened condensed milk and there is really only a good hint of sweetness.
This recipe makes a lot of pasta salad. It is perfect for potlucks and cookouts. You might be tempted to cut down on the sweetened condensed milk/mayonnaise mixture. DON’T. Once this sits in the fridge for a while the consistency is perfect. This is a great make-ahead side dish. We think it tastes better the day after it is made.
Sweet Macaroni Salad
Ingredients:
- 1 (16-oz) box elbow macaroni
- 4 medium carrots, grated
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 1 red onion, chopped
- 2 cups mayonnaise
- 1 (14-oz) can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 cup cider vinegar
- ¼ cup sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
Instructions:
- Cook macaroni according to package directions. Drain.
- Combine cooked macaroni, carrots, bell pepper and onion in a large bowl.
- Whisk together mayonnaise, sweetened condensed milk, cider vinegar, sugar, salt and pepper. Pour over macaroni mixture and stir well.
- Cover and refrigerate overnight.
Video:
Steph
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Cannot have dairy. What would you recommend as an alternative? (no coconut either).
delish
I found this exact recipe in the newspaper about 20 years ago and am ask to bring to fish and barbecue cookouts all the time. I have always leave the sugar out as the condensed milk make it sweet enough..My late grandmother, who was an excellent cook, always requested it too.
I followed exactly BUT! I cooked the noodles one minute longer, drained and poured the vinegar over the warm noodles. I didn’t mix the vinegar in with Mayo. It’s really good. Gives a little extra tang before the sweet.
Best pasta salad I’ve ever eaten! I was a little concerned that it seemed so soupy when I first made it, but it was perfect the next day!
This was amazing. I made it the day before. I did it exactly as written. After I finished mixing I thought I had made a mistake putting in the full cup of vinegar. I thought it smelled and tasted a bit too much of vinegar for my taste. After setting over 12 hours when I tried it again, it was perfect. It just needed to settle. Awesome recipe! Thank you.
Any idea how much I would need to make to feed 125 people? There will be other salads available le too.
I’d say between 8 and 10 batches.
Also recipe says cider Vinegar and the stores only have apple cider is that the same?
Yes
It’s a keeper.! The only thing I’ve ever done was maybe add some frozen peas. but it definitely doesn’t need it. Awesome recipe. Thanks.
So can I just leave the red onions out, dont like onions in my pastas?
Yes
I cut back on the vinegar to half a cup & I liked it much better
How long will this keeping fridge?
I have tried this and really like it. I never made it and plan to do so for Thanksgiving. Can I put the peppers carrots and red onion In a food processor or should I chop then by hand?
Either way is fine.
Too sweet for our family. I will make this again this time and leave out the added sugar. Otherwise, this is good.
I have been looking for a good summer Mac salad…I just found it. This salad is so very, very good! Served at a family gathering and all raved on how good this salad is! Thank you!!
Can you substitute a slaw dressing if you don’t have all the ingredients on hand?
Everyone loves it! Anytime there is a gathering I have to make it by popular demand!
Hello! I’ve been reading your blog for a long time now and finally got the courage to go ahead and give you a shout out from Porter Tx! Just wanted to say keep up the great work!|