{"id":4100,"date":"2023-07-01T09:02:47","date_gmt":"2023-07-01T15:02:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.happysimpleliving.com\/?p=4100"},"modified":"2024-07-16T14:45:55","modified_gmt":"2024-07-16T20:45:55","slug":"bacon-macaroni-salad-recipe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.happysimpleliving.com\/bacon-macaroni-salad-recipe\/","title":{"rendered":"Southern Macaroni Salad Recipe with Bacon"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Here’s one of our family’s favorite summertime side dishes — an easy Southern macaroni salad recipe<\/strong> with bacon that’s perfect for summer barbecues, potluck dinners, family reunions or your next picnic. This tasty salad combines tender pasta, crispy veggies, cheese, a creamy dressing, and flavorful, crunchy bacon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The simple salad dressing is a blend of creamy mayonnaise, ranch dressing and just a splash of balsamic vinegar, which gives it a yummy savory flavor with just a hint of sweetness that pairs well with the crispy bacon bits. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"bacon<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

You can make the easy pasta salad recipe up to a day in advance and add the final ingredients right before serving. I love setting out a variety of salads (including our simple egg salad<\/a>) for a light lunch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Easy to Make:<\/strong> The simple pasta salad with bacon and tomatoes takes less than an hour to prepare before chilling in the fridge to blend the flavors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Amazing Flavor:<\/strong> The combination of tender macaroni, homemade balsamic ranch dressing, cheddar cheese, tomatoes, celery, and crispy bacon is SO tasty!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Make Ahead Recipe:<\/strong> This easy macaroni salad is the perfect make-ahead side dish. Prepare it up to 24 hours in advance, and store in the refrigerator. Right before serving, add in the grated cheese and crispy bacon.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Ingredients Notes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Here’s what you’ll need to prepare this creamy southern macaroni salad:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Macaroni,<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Elbow macaroni<\/strong> – We like to use a good quality Italian dried pasta made from durum wheat semolina flour. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fresh Tomato<\/strong> – Choose a ripe tomato for the best flavor and texture. Remove the seeds and excess juice before chopping to prevent the salad from becoming too watery. Then drain the chopped tomato on paper towels for a few minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Celery <\/strong>– Remove the tough outer strings from the celery stalks before chopping. Chop the celery into small, bite-sized pieces for even distribution in the salad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Green onions<\/strong> – The recipe calls for 3 green onions, but you can adjust the quantity to suit your taste. Use both the white and green parts of the green onions for added flavor. Finely chop them to ensure they are evenly dispersed throughout the salad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mayonnaise:<\/strong> Use real regular mayonnaise for the best flavor. We’re partial to Duke’s mayonnaise for its creamy texture and great flavor. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ranch Salad Dressing:<\/strong> Use your favorite brand of ranch dressing or make your own buttermilk ranch dressing<\/a> if you prefer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Balsamic Vinegar:<\/strong> Use a good brand of real Balsamic vinegar to add a tangy and slightly sweet flavor to the dressing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Grated Cheddar Cheese:<\/strong> Choose a high-quality cheddar cheese and grate it on the finer side of the grater just before adding it to the salad for the best flavor and texture. I like sharp cheddar for its pronounced flavor, but you can substitute milder cheddar or another cheese to suit your taste preferences. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bacon, cooked and crumbled:<\/strong> Use your favorite bacon — smoked or unsmoked, thick cut, regular cut, cured or uncured. Cook the bacon until crispy and drain it on paper towels to remove excess grease. Crumble or chop the bacon into small pieces before adding it to the salad. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Salt and freshly ground black pepper<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Equipment Needed<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Here’s what you’ll need to prepare this recipe:<\/p>\n\n\n\n