Are you looking for a simple yet flavorful salad at your next BBQ party? Look no further because the mac salad perfectly fits your needs. The al dente pasta is tossed in mayonnaise dill dressing and enhanced with your favorite veggies, tuna, and shrimp. It is benign and easy to make and will become your go-to choice for summer parties.
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The seafood, crispy vegetables, and pasta mix are favorites for outdoor gatherings. Or you can bring it to the next potluck. Either way, everyone will enjoy a spoonful of the mac salad!
What makes this recipe so unique?
The combination of pasta, seafood, and vegetables smothered in a creamy dressing makes this recipe unique. This is one of the salads you would make to complement your mains, or it also works excellent for food sharing. The salad has a balanced mix of protein, carbs, and fiber, making it the perfect choice for a light lunch and dinner.
Can I substitute?
Pasta salads allow you to experiment with different flavors and show off your creativity. This mac salad has a strong seafood flavor thanks to the tuna and shrimp. You can always switch the shrimp with crab for a slightly different version that keeps the intense flavor.
What to serve it with?
It has a strong flavor profile that makes a statement on the table and is perfect for accompanying simple mains. Serve it with a piece of grilled chicken with charred marks to complement the flavors. Or go for grilled zucchini and eggplant for a vibrant summer combination. If you serve fried foods, then the pasta salad pairs them perfectly. Fried calamari or potato cakes are the perfect choices for serving this salad. But you can also try garlic bread for that aromatic touch.
Can I make it ahead of time?
Sure, you can make the mac salad ahead of time and serve it whenever you’re ready. This recipe requires the salad to rest for a few hours so the flavors meld together to provide the ultimate flavor experience. This is perfect if you want to prepare the salad day before your party for convenience.
Ingredients
- Elbow pasta
- Cucumber
- Mayonnaise
- Dill
- Salt
- Pepper
- Tuna
- Shrimp
- Green onions
- Grape tomatoes
How to make Mac Salad:
Step 1. Cook the elbow macaroni according to the instructions on the package. Make sure not to overcook it otherwise your salad would be mushy.
Step 2. Drain and set aside to cool.
Step 3. Peel the cucumber and remove the seeds before you chop it into chunks.
Step 4. Add the cooled macaroni, cucumber, mayonnaise, oil, salt pepper, shrimp, tuna, onion, and grape tomatoes to a mixing bowl.
Toss to combine. Let it chill in the fridge for at least 3 hours so the flavors meld together.
Serve and enjoy.
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Mac Salad
This combination of pasta, seafood, and vegetables smothered in a creamy dressing makes this recipe unique. This is one of the salads you would make to complement your mains, or it also works excellent for food sharing.
Ingredients
- 4 ounces Dreamfields low carb elbow pasta, scant 1 cup dry
- 1/2 medium cucumber, about 3 ounces after trimming
- 2/3 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 teaspoon dill
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 2 6-ounce cans of tuna, drained
- 8 ounces small, cooked shrimp, optional
- 4 green onions, chopped
- 6 ounces grape tomatoes, halved
Instructions
- Cook the elbow macaroni according to the instructions on the package. Make sure not to overcook it otherwise your salad would be mushy.
- Drain and set aside to cool.
- Peel the cucumber and remove the seeds before you chop it into chunks.
- Add the cooled macaroni, cucumber, mayonnaise, oil, salt pepper, shrimp, tuna, onion, and grape tomatoes to a mixing bowl. Toss to combine. Let it chill in the fridge for at least 3 hours so the flavors meld together. Serve and enjoy.
Marie Rayner is a retired Chef, freelance writer, recipe developer, food blogger, and Cookbook author. She makes her home in Chester, UK, where she lives with her husband, Todd, and their much beloved English Cocker, Mitzie. Her motto is “Life is far too short to eat bad food,” and her goal is to share delicious and easy recipes which anyone can enjoy and cook in the comfort of their own home.
