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    Uncategorized » Recipes

    Southwest Macaroni Salad

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please see disclosure for more information. Published: Jul 4, 2016 · Modified: Mar 25, 2021 by Dee

    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!

    Jump to Recipe -

    easy-southwest-macaroni-salad-recipe

    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.

    southwest-macaroni-salad-bowl-recipe

    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

    easy-southwest-macaroni-salad-recipe

    Southwest Macaroni Salad

    Published by Dee
    Southwest Macaroni Salad is an easy pasta side salad with a hint of spice that's perfect for cookouts, potlucks and picnics
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Recipe Share by Email
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    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 8 mins
    Total Time 18 mins
    Course Salad
    Cuisine American
    Servings 15
    Calories 360 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 pound macaroni
    • ½ 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
    • ¼ 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 information is estimated. Please do your own calculation to fit special diets.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 360kcalCarbohydrates: 25gProtein: 4gFat: 26gSaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 12mgSodium: 350mgPotassium: 225mgFiber: 2gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 115IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 13mgIron: 0.7mg
    Tried this recipe? Please comment and rate it! Show me your dish on Instagram!Mention @meatloafandmelodrama or tag #meatloafandmelodrama!

    Southwestern-southwest-Macaroni-Salad

    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!

    Southwest Macaroni Salad recipe

    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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    Sharing At

    Met Monday, Wow Us Wednesday, Weekend Potluck

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Miz Helen says

      July 17, 2016 at 3:58 pm

      Congratulations!
      Your recipe has been featured on Full Plate Thursday this week. Enjoy your new Red Plate and have a great week!
      Miz Helen5 stars

      Reply
    2. Shirley Wood says

      July 13, 2016 at 11:47 am

      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.

      Reply
      • Dee says

        July 13, 2016 at 11:49 pm

        Thanks, Shirley. I wish every weekend lasted 3 days!

    3. Julie says

      July 08, 2016 at 5:36 am

      What a beautiful salad. Just perfect for summer picnics and get-togethers!

      Reply
      • Dee says

        July 08, 2016 at 11:53 pm

        Thank you so much, Julie! My family really enjoyed this one. 🙂

    4. Healing Tomato says

      July 07, 2016 at 8:01 pm

      This is the greatest comfort food ever made!! The macaroni looks so appetizing.5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        July 09, 2016 at 12:11 am

        Thanks! My family likes just about anything with pasta. 🙂

    5. Roxana says

      July 07, 2016 at 8:34 am

      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!

      Reply
    6. Cathy Trochelman says

      July 06, 2016 at 1:18 pm

      I always love the simplicity of grilling, especially when you have some great sides to go with the meat. This salad looks awesome!

      Reply
      • Dee says

        July 06, 2016 at 4:31 pm

        Thank you so much, Cathy. I could almost make a meal out of the sides and skip the meat!

    7. Erin @ Texanerin Baking says

      July 06, 2016 at 6:16 am

      Store-bought salads are nasty. I'd much rather have this one! It looks so delicious. Hope you had a great July 4th!

      Reply
      • Dee says

        July 06, 2016 at 4:27 pm

        Thanks so much, Erin. Yep, totally nasty. Hope your holiday was fun, as well! 🙂

    8. Michelle De La Cerda says

      July 05, 2016 at 9:53 pm

      Yum, I love the addition of the avocado in there. I always say avocado makes everything better.

      Reply
      • Dee says

        July 06, 2016 at 4:29 pm

        I completely agree -- I would add some to everything if I could!

    9. Amanda | The Chunky Chef says

      July 05, 2016 at 6:35 pm

      I love the avocado in there! Macaroni salad is such a family favorite 🙂

      Reply
      • Dee says

        July 06, 2016 at 4:29 pm

        I love avocado, so I try to use it whenever I can.:)

    10. Michelle | A Latte Food says

      July 05, 2016 at 3:23 pm

      I can't get enough pasta salad recipes in the summer!! This southwest style salad looks to die for!

      Reply
      • Dee says

        July 06, 2016 at 4:28 pm

        Thanks, Michelle. My husband loved it and even took some to work to share. 🙂

    11. Maris says

      July 05, 2016 at 12:22 pm

      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!

      Reply
      • Dee says

        July 05, 2016 at 11:08 pm

        Thanks, Maris. I love that you can make macaroni salad so many different ways! 🙂

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