This easy Southwest Macaroni Salad recipe is loaded with flavor and has just a hint of spice. It’s the perfect side dish for picnics, potlucks and parties!
I love long holiday weekends, don’t you? We always have a cookout on the Fourth of July, but this year, we’ve been feasting all weekend long. I know that sounds like a lot of work, but it’s actually pretty simple, especially if you get things done ahead of time.
So basically, we grill the meat, and then I serve easy side dishes to go with it. Now, if you wanted to keep things super simple, you could buy some macaroni or potato salad from the store, but I really, really do not like storebought salads. There’s usually way too much mayo going on there for me.
I usually make my Grandma’s Potato Salad, which is a little bit of work since you have to cook the potatoes, but it’s so worth it. And, it’s one of the Hub’s favorite side salads. He could eat the whole bowl if possible, and he really looks forward to it.
Homemade macaroni salad, on the other hand, is very easy — just boil the pasta and add whatever else you want to it. I wanted to jazz things up a little this time, so I made a Southwestern style salad with a hint of spice and not a whole lot of mayo.
I added some pickled jalapeno peppers, but I used a mild version so that it would still be kid friendly. Then, I threw in some cherry tomatoes, avocado chunks and mayonnaise, plus a little spice. And that’s it — simple, but loaded with flavor.
How to Make Southwest Macaroni Salad
Southwest Macaroni Salad
Ingredients
- 1 pound macaroni
- 1/2 cup mild pickled jalapeno peppers chopped
- 2 avocados seeded, peeled, chopped and drizzled with lime juice
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved and seeded
- 2 cups mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground chipotle pepper
Instructions
- Cook the macaroni according to package directions
- Drain in a collander, rinse with cold water,and allow to cool
- In a large bowl, add all ingredients, and stir well
- Garnish with chopped cilantro, if desired
- Cover, and refrigerate until ready to serve
Nutrition
The nice thing about this recipe is that you can easily customize it to suit your own tastes. You can add more mayo, reduce the chipotle powder or even add more for extra spice. You could also leave the tomatoes whole or leave them out — whatever works for you!
My family loved this Southwest Macaroni Salad exactly as it is. I even put out some extra mayo for the Hubs, but even he didn’t think it needed any more, and he usually likes his salads drowned in mayo. He even had seconds!
Have a super day, friends!
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Maris says
This looks and sounds great! I had a Hawaiian macaroni salad the other night and it was so good, I want to recreate and will have to try this version too!
Dee says
Thanks, Maris. I love that you can make macaroni salad so many different ways! 🙂
Michelle | A Latte Food says
I can’t get enough pasta salad recipes in the summer!! This southwest style salad looks to die for!
Dee says
Thanks, Michelle. My husband loved it and even took some to work to share. 🙂
Amanda | The Chunky Chef says
I love the avocado in there! Macaroni salad is such a family favorite 🙂
Dee says
I love avocado, so I try to use it whenever I can.:)
Michelle De La Cerda says
Yum, I love the addition of the avocado in there. I always say avocado makes everything better.
Dee says
I completely agree — I would add some to everything if I could!
Erin @ Texanerin Baking says
Store-bought salads are nasty. I’d much rather have this one! It looks so delicious. Hope you had a great July 4th!
Dee says
Thanks so much, Erin. Yep, totally nasty. Hope your holiday was fun, as well! 🙂
Cathy Trochelman says
I always love the simplicity of grilling, especially when you have some great sides to go with the meat. This salad looks awesome!
Dee says
Thank you so much, Cathy. I could almost make a meal out of the sides and skip the meat!
Roxana says
Pasta salads are my go-to meals all summer long! So easy to make and love that you can prepare ahead of time.
Love your southwest twist. Yum!
Healing Tomato says
This is the greatest comfort food ever made!! The macaroni looks so appetizing.
Dee says
Thanks! My family likes just about anything with pasta. 🙂
Julie says
What a beautiful salad. Just perfect for summer picnics and get-togethers!
Dee says
Thank you so much, Julie! My family really enjoyed this one. 🙂
Shirley Wood says
I do love long holiday weekends. I always hate to see them come to an end. Your Macaroni salad sounds good. Pinning to my Salads board.
Dee says
Thanks, Shirley. I wish every weekend lasted 3 days!
Miz Helen says
Congratulations!
Your recipe has been featured on Full Plate Thursday this week. Enjoy your new Red Plate and have a great week!
Miz Helen