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Barbecue Macaroni Salad

Name: Barbecue Macaroni Salad
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 5 servings.
Ingredients: 2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni; 1 cup mayonnaise; 1 to 3 tablespoons barbecue sauce; 1 tablespoon ranch salad dressing mix; 2 teaspoons sugar; 3/4 teaspoon ground mustard; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1/8 teaspoon pepper; 2 hard-boiled large eggs, chopped; 2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish

1 review

Test Kitchen Approved

Total Time

Prep/Total Time: 20 min.

Makes

5 servings

Updated: May. 20, 2023

My family loves a touch of tang, so I created this barbecue macaroni salad. Not too much—just a hint of both barbecue sauce and ranch dressing makes this everyday salad something special. —Andrea Bolden, Unionville, Tennessee

Barbecue Macaroni Salad Recipe photo by Taste of Home

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Ingredients

2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
1 cup mayonnaise
1 to 3 tablespoons barbecue sauce
1 tablespoon ranch salad dressing mix
2 teaspoons sugar
3/4 teaspoon ground mustard
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
2 hard-boiled large eggs, chopped
2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish

Directions

Cook macaroni according to package directions; drain and rinse with cold water. Cool completely.
For dressing, in a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, barbecue sauce, ranch dressing mix, sugar, mustard, salt and pepper. In a large bowl, combine eggs, relish and macaroni. Add dressing; gently toss to coat. Refrigerate until serving. Drizzle with additional barbecue sauce if desired.

Barbecue Macaroni Salad Tips

Can you use other pasta shapes in Barbecue Macaroni Salad?

You can make this dish with any short pasta you have on hand. Feel free to experiment with pasta shapes or just use this as an excuse to clean out your pantry!

Do you have to wait for the macaroni to cool before assembling Barbecue Macaroni Salad?

Yes. Rinsing the pasta under cold water will help speed up the cooling process and prevent the pasta from overcooking and turning mushy. Check out our guide on how to cook pasta perfectly for any type of recipe!

What else can you add to Barbecue Macaroni Salad?

If you're looking to add some pops of color, then red peppers, black beans and fresh corn can brighten up this dish and add a little crunch. Additionally, pulled pork, smothered in barbecue sauce, is a great option if you're wanting to add some protein to this dish.

—Ellie Crowley, Taste of Home Culinary Assistant

Nutrition Facts

3/4 cup: 449 calories, 35g fat (6g saturated fat), 78mg cholesterol, 452mg sodium, 27g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 1g fiber), 7g protein.