Ranch dressing, peas, and tomatoes make this Easy Macaroni Salad a favorite dish for any picnic or barbecue.
I can't believe that this weekend is Labor Day weekend. There is something about this weekend that just says summer is over. I know our kids have been in school for almost a month, but now it feels like fall to me.
Of course the 90 degree heat wave we are seeing says otherwise.
We had a feeling fall was going to be hot after having such a cool summer. At least it will be nice for the last weekend of hurrahs at the city pools, right? I know our kids are looking forward to a long weekend full of swimming and picnics.
And with picnics comes the pasta salads. It's the one thing I always scope out at any picnic we go too. I'm a salad girl through and through. Hot, cold, spicy, creamy...I pretty much like them all. And I love how they just seem to get better the day after they are made.
This macaroni salad is one of my favorites to make for picnics. The peas, eggs, and tomatoes just work well with the noodles and dressing. Sometimes I'll throw a can of tuna in the mix...just to change things up. There really isn't any wrong way to do a salad like this. Feel free to use your favorite veggies. Or change up the dressing.
Salads like this are really great year round. They make a great side dish to any meal. Plus, they taste better after sitting overnight, so it is the perfect food to make for busy school nights.
Recipe
Easy Macaroni Salad
Ranch dressing, eggs, and peas make this easy macaroni salad a great side dish for any picnic.
Ingredients
- 3 cups uncooked macaroni noodles
- 2 cups frozen peas
- ½ cup diced red onion
- 3 hard boiled eggs, diced
- 3 roma tomatoes, chopped
- ¾ cup Ranch dressing
- ½ teaspoon minced garlic
- salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the noodles according to the package directions.
- Place the peas in a colander and pour the cooked noodles and boiling water over the top.
- Run cold water over the noodles and drain.
- Stir together all the ingredients in a large bowl and place in the refrigerator. Serve cold. Stir before serving.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 240Total Fat: 13gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 76mgSodium: 294mgCarbohydrates: 24gFiber: 3gSugar: 5gProtein: 8g
Nutrition facts are an estimate and are not guaranteed to be accurate. If you need special diet advice, please see a registered dietician.
More salads that are great for picnics and barbecues:
Medeja
looks easy and very yummy!
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom
Ranch dressing in macaroni salad. . what a fabulous idea! I love this! happy Labor Day!
Jocelyn
Thanks girl. Salad dressing is a great quick fix to pasta salad here in this house!
marcellina
Pasta salads are great and this one looks like a good one. I also love the BLT pasta salad you have linked. Thanks...with summer around the corner here in Australia I could do with a couple more salad recipes!
Jocelyn
Pasta salads are a staple here through the summer...of course we eat them through the fall and winter too. I hope you enjoy a few of the ones I shared!
Amanda
This looks delicious!!!
Jocelyn
Thank you so much!!!!
Alexandra
Mmm! Macaroni Salad is one of my favorites! Can't wait to try this recipe.
Jocelyn
I hope you enjoy the pasta salad! I'm with you on macaroni being a favorite!
allie @ Through Her Looking Glass
Love this great salad Jocelyn. Yummy with the ranch. Looks delicious and perfect for the long weekend ahead! It's hot around here too, 92 in NH yesterday....hard to believe it's September. Have a great weekend and stay cool!
Jocelyn
It's so hard to believe it is September with these hot temps...where is the cool fall weather I love?!?!?!
Medha @ Whisk & Shout
Yum! What a perfect Labor Day idea and also just a perfect cookout staple 🙂
Jocelyn
Yes, it is the perfect picnic food!
Marye
I love macaroni salad! I think I need to make it at least once more before the weather starts cooling!
Jocelyn
I'm with you on wanting to make it a few more times before cool weather comes!