Picnic macaroni salad with elbows, celery, and green peppers, topped with bread crumbs

Classic Picnic Macaroni Salad

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Picnic Macaroni Salad and backyard barbecues are a match made in heaven. Make this dish in advance so the flavors can blend and you can focus on the grill.

Total Time30 mins
Yields4 Servings
Ingredients
 8 ounces Mueller’s® Elbows
 3/4 cup mayonnaise
 2 tablespoons cider vinegar
 1 tablespoon prepared mustard (optional)
 1 teaspoon sugar
 1 teaspoon salt
 1/4 teaspoon pepper
 1 cup sliced celery
 1 cup chopped green or red pepper
 1/4 cup chopped onion
 1/4 cup breadcrumbs (optional)
Cooking Directions
1

Cook pasta according to package directions; drain well and set aside to cool.

2

Combine mayonnaise, vinegar, mustard, sugar, salt, and pepper in a large bowl; stirring well.

3

Add cooked pasta, celery, peppers, and onion. Toss well to coat pasta and vegetables with dressing. Cover and chill to blend flavors.

4

If desired, top with breadcrumbs immediately before serving.

Ingredients

Ingredients
 8 ounces Mueller’s® Elbows
 3/4 cup mayonnaise
 2 tablespoons cider vinegar
 1 tablespoon prepared mustard (optional)
 1 teaspoon sugar
 1 teaspoon salt
 1/4 teaspoon pepper
 1 cup sliced celery
 1 cup chopped green or red pepper
 1/4 cup chopped onion
 1/4 cup breadcrumbs (optional)

Directions

Cooking Directions
1

Cook pasta according to package directions; drain well and set aside to cool.

2

Combine mayonnaise, vinegar, mustard, sugar, salt, and pepper in a large bowl; stirring well.

3

Add cooked pasta, celery, peppers, and onion. Toss well to coat pasta and vegetables with dressing. Cover and chill to blend flavors.

4

If desired, top with breadcrumbs immediately before serving.

Classic Picnic Macaroni Salad

Reviews

  1. This is delicious. I am seeking the recipe, that was on the back of the box of Mueller’s Elbow Noodles years ago. That is the Classic Macaroni Salad recipe I am seeking. However, I did prepare the Classic Macaroni Salad recipe you sent to me and it is delicious. If you still have that recipe from the back of the Mueller’s Elbow Noodles box from many many many years ago, please do sent it to me.

  2. that macaroni salad recipe is the same one I am looking for. It required dry mustard which makes the salad extremely tasty.

  3. Like Trina above, I too would like the original cold macaroni salad recipe from the back of the box. This recipe is good but there are way to many individuals who do not like peppers in their salads and what happened to the mustard? Seems to me the original recipe called for mustard. Bread crumbs??? Those went out with the seventies! Love your products…the best! Thanks

  4. This is good but not the old recipe from the back of the box. I remember the other one having chopped green onions in it. I replaced the bell pepper with chopped green onions and it was pretty close. The dressing is the same except the other one had celery seed in it if I recall.

  5. My daughter tried different recipes looking for one from what she remembered in childhood. She said this was delicious and wanted the recipe.

  6. Other than the breadcrumbs, I’m not sure what recipe everyone else is talking about. I’ve been making this same recipe for 30 years now and it’s straight off the back of the Mueller’s elbow macaroni box. Our family loves this recipe!! For extra color, use a purple onion.

  7. This is the recipe that was on the back of the box because I still have it where I cut it out of the box! I’m reading comments and not sure what recipe you are looking at because it does call for mustard and there is no mention whatsoever about green onions or celery seeds. I do not use breadcrumbs, I use green pepper and cucumber in place of the celery (I sprinkle in a little celery salt) but everything else is exactly as the recipe and everyone always tells me it tastes like their grandmas.

  8. This is A recipe from Muellers box.
    .The original I had did have celery seeds and chopped tomatoes.
    This one is delich but I would like the first recipe.. I had it over 50 yrs ago and was an old time family favorite to take to cook outs.

  9. I still have the Mueller’s Classic Macaroni Salad recipe (also the Classic Macaroni and Cheese recipe) I clipped from the back of a Mueller’s Elbow Macaroni box many years ago. The ingredients listed above for the salad are almost exact. The only differences are the recipe I have from the box specifies one tablespoon of sugar (not one teaspoon) and it does not list any breadcrumbs. It’s a great recipe that has stood the test of time.

  10. I still have the Mueller’s Classic Macaroni Salad recipe (also the Classic Macaroni and Cheese recipe) I clipped from the back of a Mueller’s Elbow Macaroni box many years ago. The ingredients listed above for the salad are almost exact. The only differences are the recipe I have from the box specifies one tablespoon of sugar (not one teaspoon) and it does not list any breadcrumbs. It’s a great recipe that has stood the test of time.

  11. I believe that this is the old recipe that some of you are looking for from the muellers box: I was looking for it too & found it in my stack of old recipes. I’m saving it to my computer now, so I don’t lose it again.

    8 oz. Elbow Macaroni
    1/2 c Mayonnaise
    1 tbsp Lemon Juice
    1 tsp Salt
    1 tsp Sugar
    1/4 tsp Celery Seed
    1 Tomato, diced
    1 c Celery, diced
    3 tbsp chopped Pimiento
    2 tbsp Green Pepper

    Cook Macaroni as directed; drain.
    Rinse w/cold water; drain again.
    Mix mayonnaise with Lemon Juice, Salt & Sugar
    Combine with Macaroni, Celery Seed, Tomato, Celery, Pimento & Green Pepper
    Add Pepper if desired.
    Makes 6-8 servings

  12. I believe the original Mueller recipe was called Yankee Doodle Macaroni Salad. I’ve searched for it on Hellmans site and Muellers and this seems as close as it gets. It had the celery seed and the sweet bell peppers and maybe even the green onions. I use a dark spicy mustard out right out of the jar for extra punch. The apple cider viniger and mustard were key ingredients.

  13. i would love to have the old recipe for the macaroni salad that had the dry mustard in it. I moved and lost my copy.
    thanks,

  14. The recipe that Anita Landress posted above IS THE very old recipe that most of us are talking about. I was married in 1974 and remember making it from the back of the box and it was the same one my mom used to make. I do remember fresh tomatoes in it as well as pimentos, because I had no idea what I was looking for in the store, lol. I’m pretty sure it was called Macaroni Dandy Salad and it was everyone’s favorite. I’m gonna make this tomorrow!!!!

  15. I have used this recipe for years. I add shrimp with old bay seasoning to taste. I leave the mustard and breadcrumbs (they’re not on my box recipe) out. It’s the BEST !!

  16. This is it! Believe the macaroni salad on the back of the Mueller’s box was called Macaroni Dandy Salad. I too lost the recipe I cut off the box long ago, but I remember most of the ingredients and the lemon juice and sugar sealed the deal. Guess what I’m having for supper? Thank you Anita Landress.

  17. The recipe submitted by Anita Landress May 24, 2019, is the Macaroni Dandy Salad recipe. It was on the back of the Mueller’s Elbow Macaroni box. I cut that recipe off the box and still use it every time I make macaroni salad, which is often! There was another recipe for Classic Macaroni Salad, but that one had different ingredients in it. I have always made the Macaroni Dandy Salad and the recipe has been shared with friends and family. My daughter now makes it for her family. It’s a great recipe!

  18. This is the Mac salad my family has made for years and every time I make it for anyone they always ask for the recipe. I add sliced black olives and chopped egg to mine version.

  19. I’ve been making this macaroni salad recipe for 30+ years. Got the recipe from the back of the elbow macaroni box originally. However, l omit the onion from mine. I have perfected my recipe over the years and add cucumber, shredded carrots, finely sliced radishes, diced tomatoes, shredded sharp cheddar cheese, and bacon bits. Of course l make extra dressing because of all the extra ingredients. My family and friends LOVE it. Always a hit at picnics, barbecues, and pot luck meals.

  20. I have the Mueller’s “Tested and Proven Recipes” book from 1930. I see a few people asking for original recipes, so here are 2 macaroni salad recipes from this book. I do know there were more changes between when this book was printed and the current recipe, I am still searching for other books! I will update you all when I have them!

    “Elbow Macaroni Salad”
    1/2 Package Mueller’s Elbow Macaroni
    1 Teaspoon Salt
    1/4 Teaspoon Pepper
    1 Cup Celery, Chopped
    1/4 Cup Pimento, Diced
    1/4 Cup Sweet Pickle, Chopped
    1/2 Cup Tomatoes, Cut in Pieces
    1 Cup Thousand Island Dressing
    1 Head Lettuce

    Boil the elbow macaroni for 9 minutes in 2 quarts rapidly boiling water to which 1/2 tablespoon salt has been added. Drain and chill. Season the elbow macaroni with salt and pepper. Add the celery, pimento, sweet pickle, and tomatoes. Mix with Thousand Island Dressing, tossing together lightly with a fork. Serve on crisp lettuce leaves. Capers make a good addition to this salad and the tomato may be omitted if desired. This is also an excellent way to use macaroni left over from the day before.

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