Deli-Style Macaroni Salad is a simple and basic macaroni salad like the type sold at the grocery store deli.
Deli-Style Macaroni Salad
By Sue Lau | Palatable Pastime
This is a very basic type of mac salad like the type sold in tubs at the grocer, only better. I love mac salads but sometimes I prefer a simple one to go with things like ham sandwiches for lunch.
Simple Ingredients
This is also nice in that it doesn’t include eggs or chopped onion, which some people don’t like. While the flavor is directed to be exactly like the kind of salads sold in the tubs, there are a couple different brands. And also, the type of relish and pickles you use in this give slight flavor variations as well.
Tweaking for Personalized Flavor
So please feel free to tinker with it to get it close to the kind you buy/prefer or to adjust for your own ingredients. I know I have made this with homemade relish which can affect how sweet it is. Little things like that can be adjusted with a pinch of sugar.
Of course, if you like the base flavor but want it more involved, it is easy to add things like egg, chopped bell pepper, onion, cheese, ham and other things to fill it out. As a base recipe it really is excellent in that regard. I hope you enjoy.
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Deli-Style Macaroni Salad
Ingredients
- 4 ounces dry macaroni
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/3 cup celery (finely diced)
- 2 tablespoons chopped red pimientos
- 2 tablespoons chopped dill pickle
- 1 tablespoon sweet pickle relish
- 2 teaspoons smoky barbecue sauce
- 1 teaspoon dill pickle brine
- 1/2 teaspoon dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/8 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
- Cook noodles 8-10 minutes in boiling salted water, then drain and rinse.
- Mix noodles in a large bowl with all remaining ingredients.
- Chill several hours before serving.
- If needed, stir in 1-2 tbsp. cold water before serving to loosen it up, since the pasta tends to absorb the liquids as it sits.
Notes
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G’day! Deli style mac always reminds me of special memories..
Thanks for sharing Sue! Viewed as part of Foodie Friends Friday Nothing But Noodles Pasta Party!
Cheers! Joanne
Thanks, Joanne! ~Sue
Hello! Thank you for sharing this with us on Foodie Friends Friday. Your macaroni salad looks delicious and perfect with that German burger. You have a beautiful site. So happy to have discovered it. Blessings to you, Catherine
Thanks, Catherine! ~Sue
I just made this and we will see when my hubby gets up if he likes it. Mine doesnt look like the picture .