Easy Cheesy Macaroni Salad

bowl of macaroni salad with chopped red peppers

Easy Cheesy Macaroni Salad

This 20 minute meal is perfect for those nights when you run out of time and need to get something on the table fast.

Course Salad

Cuisine American

Diet Vegetarian

Prep Time 20 minutes

Total Time 20 minutes

Servings people

Calories 261kcal

Author Ginny

Ingredients

8 oz Pasta macaroni is what I had on hand
⅓ cup Mayonnaise Hellmann's is my fave!
2 tbsp Ranch Dressing
⅓ cup Red Bell Pepper chopped
⅓ cup White Onion chopped
½ cup Cheddar Cheese shredded
1 tsp Lemon Juice
½ tbsp Butter melted, optional

Instructions

Boil the pasta in salted water and drain.
While the pasta is boiling, chop the pepper and onions. Add the lemon juice.
Add the pasta to the onions and peppers and mix together thoroughly.
Add the mayonaisse, ranch dressing and butter (optional) and mix together.
Add in the cheese and a pinch of salt.
Serve!

Notes

Meal Prep: You can meal prep this one by cooking the noodles early, draining and allowing too cool. Store in a air tight container with a little bit of olive oil to prevent them from sticking. I shake up the container to make sure that the olive oil is mixed in enough. Then when you are ready to make this one (for a bbq or cookout) you can toss it all together in about five minutes.

Storage: Store in the refrigerator for up to four days in a sealed container. If the salad gets a tiny bit dry, add a tad more mayo to it and stir before serving.

Since this has cheese and Ranch dressing it in, remember this is a SPIN on a classic, it won't taste like your Grandma's macaroni salad.

Additions: Look for other add ins for the salad like chopped up cooked bacon, green onions, red onions, green or red peppers.

How to Cook Pasta In Instant Pot Or Ninja Foodi: Add 8 ounces of pasta, 3 cups water or broth, 1 teaspoon oil, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Make sure the water is fully covering pasta.

Place pressure cooker lid on the device, and then turn the valve to sealing. Cook high pressure for 4 minutes followed by a quick release. Once done, drain your pasta, and assemble the salad as directed in the recipe card.

Nutrition