Macaroni salad was a very common family reunion party fare when I was a child. My father and my aunt, his sister, had their own versions and both were really great. My father’s version included hard-boiled quail eggs; my aunt’s had lots of pineapple tidbits and pickle relish.
Later on, when I started to learn how to cook, I discovered that I preferred crushed pineapple over pineapple tidbits. I also learned that adding small cubes of cheese makes macaroni salad even more interesting.
Then, there’s the chicken angle. I don’t know why, in the Philippines, macaroni salad almost always means chicken and macaroni salad. There’s so much more than chicken that can go with macaroni, pineapples and mayo. Take ham, for instance. Cut them into cubes and they’re just perfect. Then, there’s crisp bacon bits, diced turkey or duck meat. Or even boiled shrimps. Or canned tuna. My all-time favorite is macaroni salad with smoked salmon. Unbelievable experience.
Whatever meat or seafood I add to macaroni salad, chopped carrots and celery are always a must. I don’t know why but they add a depth to the macaroni salad experience that pineapple and pickle relish cannot provide. Perhaps, it’s the contrast in colors. Or the complimenting flavors. Or the crunchiness that balances the creaminess of mayonnaise and cheese. Or all of that.
Of course, adding carrots and celery does not mean you can’t have pineapples and pickle relish too. Ditch the usual and try different combinations. You’ll be surprised how extraordinary macaroni salad can be.
Ingredients
- 250 grams elbow or salad macaroni
- 2 to 3 cups roughly chopped cooked chicken breast or use ham, tuna, duck or turkey
- 3/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 cup cubed cheese
- 1 cup crushed pineapple drained
- 1/4 cup sweet pickle relish
- 1/4 cup slightly boiled and chopped carrot
- 1/4 cup chopped celery
- salt to taste
- white pepper to taste
- white sugar to balance
- chopped toasted nuts to garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Just toss everything together. Transfer to a container, cover and chill for at least six hours.
- Take out of the fridge and taste a piece of macaroni. At this time, the pasta would have absorbed the seasonings and the dressing. That’s really the thing about macaroni salad. You can never tell if it’s “right” until it has chilled and the flavors have blended. Only then can you tell what needs to be adjusted. More salt? Sugar? Pepper? Does the salad look dry? Need to add more mayo? Adjust the seasonings and the dressing, put back in the fridge, chill for another couple of hours and it’s ready to serve.
If you cooked this dish (or made this drink) and you want to share your masterpiece, please use your own photos and write the cooking steps in your own words.
Hello and welcome! I'm a retired lawyer and columnist, wife for 28 years, mom of two, and a passionate cook. What is this blog about? Recipes for dishes 
Cliff sandwiches
I want to recieve a weekly recipe. Thank you.
Then, sign up, Cristinida. The form is just above this comment thread.
What about Miracle Whip, my pinoy friends here in states told me MW is better drsg. than Mayo, how true is that? love this web site….
Luisa, of course, it’s a matter of taste — my family does not like Miracle Whip.
Hi Connie! This is my very first na nagtry ng recipe mo last December 31, 2007….So dito tayo nagkakilala…he!he!he! This is my son’s favorite, I add lang I sugar beets kasi they want it with color,,,,,,,and my bestfriend who hate macaroni loved this one too…It’s so yummy!
hi! Connie! I’m glad to have found this website & sharing of authentic PINOY Recipes ^_^! My question is the same : how long does it last?
I cooked the macaroni salad last week, but still ate some today (he,he)! taste seemed ok, & I’m not dead yet…
Ruth, I really don’t know how long it lasts in the fridge. In our house, salad doesn’t last for more than a couple of days, nauubos.
How do I get rid of the oily look of my macaroni salad? Before, I thought it was because I used a cheaper brand of mayo, but the last one I did, I used the old reliable Lady’s Choice.
I reviewed your recipe before I wrote this. It’s practically the same ingredients I use in making the salad. The family loves the taste. It just doesn’t look tangy and becomes less apetizing, as if wanting in more mayonnaise.
Would appreciate hearing from you on this. Many thanks!
Chill the salad in the fridge for a few hours then stir again. That gives the macaroni to absorb some of the oil.
hi! my kids loves to eat chicken macaroni… nung nag luto ako, bakit dry sya masyado? mayonnaise lng ba talaga ang ilagay? tapos maasim sya dahil sa mayonnaise… para makain sya, nilagyan ko nang evap milk ayon sumarap at naubos…pls help
hi ms. connie! super nice ng Tastebook mo! mgiipon muna ako para makabili din ako.Ü
re chicken macaroni salad, just an idea, mga ilang teaspoon po ng salt and sugar ang dapat ilagay ko? i will not be using parmesan. tnx po. we will have have it on christmas day.
Advance merry christmas!
Khrizia, quality of mayonnaise varies from one brand to the next.
Janet, naku eh, to taste lang. I start with one tsp each then add and adjust while tossing.
thanks so much! yung carrots po ba ok lang kung i-blanch lang or kelangan boiled talaga? thanks po again!
Depends how tender or mature the carrot is.
pwede po bang gamitin ang chicken sandwich spread and at the same time mayonnaise?
You mean chicken sandwich spread instead of fresh chicken? Your salad won’t be as chunky.
I love chicken macaroni salad. I always prepare this dish sa Christmas and New year’s Eve. But I include chopped onions and also nestle cream and condensed milk to make it creamier. I also use Light Mayonnaise.
16 ounces elbow macaroni
1 cup miracle whip (or Mayo…and this can be adjusted according to taste)
1 heaping tablespoon sour cream
1/4 grated carrot
1/2 cup finely chopped celery
1 cup chopped tomato (I use Roma Tomatoes)
1/2 finely chopped medium red onion
2 large cans of White Chicken Breast(drain liquid) or two large cooked chicken breasts
1/4 tsp of poultry seasoning
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 tsp of garlic powder
Boil macaroni till firm but fully cooked, drain and rinse, add all ingredients except Miracle Whip and sour cream. Mix thoroughly then add the Miracle Whip and sour cream. Chill in the fridge before serving
***the best part about this recipe is you can add additional ingredients if you wish…some suggestions are peas, cheese cubes, bell pepper, corn, hard-boiled eggs etc. You can even substitute the chicken for ham.
dis is what i want to take in the morning
I like your macaronisalad maybe you can try to put small peaces of paprica not to much i think you will like the taste of it.
Hi, Ms. Connie, I’m a big fan. Would yogurt be good as dressing? Just to cut back on calories. Thank you.
Hi Weng,
A combination of yogurt and mayo is okay — see the chicken, pesto and yogurt salad. :)