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Patriotic Classic Macaroni Salad Recipe

05/17/19 | Cooking, Fourth of July/Summertime, Holidays, Soups and Salads

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I’m always looking for easy Patriotic food ideas to bring to a summer potluck or a Memorial Day, 4th of July, or Labor Day BBQ. This creamy summer pasta salad recipe is made with stars and stripes pasta from World Market. Stop by the lake and learn how to make this Patriotic classic macaroni salad recipe for all your summer lake days.

Patriotic Classic Macaroni Salad Recipe | Stars & Stripes Pasta Salad

In my opinion, a summer BBQ wouldn’t be complete without a classic macaroni salad on the table. A tailgating party wouldn’t be complete without it either!

Now that I think about it, we pretty much enjoy macaroni salad in our household year round. I love it so much!

There’s something about pasta covered in a creamy sweet sauce that sends my brain into sheer happiness. Plus, I can easily trick myself into thinking I’m eating somewhat healthy with the addition of veggies found inside the pasta salad.

It’s really a win-win!

If I’m strapped for time, or decide to have people over last minute, I’ll purchase the premade stuff from Publix or Target. The store-bought variety is yummy, but the flavor you get from a homemade macaroni salad just doesn’t compare.

You’ll be shocked when you see how easy it is to make your own version of macaroni salad at home. The hardest part of the entire process is having the patience to wait for the flavors of the macaroni salad to marry together. You’ll need a minimum of four hours but I personally prefer to make it the night before.

**On a side note, having things you can make ahead of time for a summer BBQ or any gathering for that matter is one of my tips to throwing a stress-free party. I have plenty more tricks up my sleeve so go take a look!

I normally make my classic macaroni salad with elbow macaroni but I couldn’t resist giving the World Market Stars & Stripes pasta variety a try. I was out and about with Patrick running some errands the other day and came across it in my local store.

Patriotic Classic Macaroni Salad | Stars & Stripes Pasta World Market

Inside there are 3 shapes: American flags, The Liberty Bell and Stars. They come in red and white. Aren’t they just adorable?!?!

Patriotic Classic Macaroni Salad | Stars & Stripes Pasta World Market

World Market usually creates one of these fun kinds of pasta for each of the main holidays. I just looked at their website and they have a St. Patrick’s Day and Easter variety on sale. The pasta is good for a couple of years so an item like this would be a great buy when all the holiday merchandise goes on Clearance. I’ll probably try to snag some more of this Stars & Stripes variety for the 4th of July and Labor Day.

Are you ready to see how easy this recipe is?!

Patriotic Classic Macaroni Salad Recipe

16 oz. World Market Stars & Stripes pasta (can substitute 16 oz. elbow macaroni), 1 cup of mayonnaise, ¼ cup of white vinegar, ⅔ cup of sugar, 2 ½ tbsp of yellow mustard, 1 ½ tsp of salt, ½ tsp of pepper, 1 large onion (finely diced), 2 stalks of celery (finely diced), 1 red bell pepper (finely diced), about ¼ cup of carrots (finely diced)

**I have to apologize for my mishap before we get started. Instead of grabbing the red bell pepper from my refrigerator I made a boo-boo and took the green one. I was so bummed! I normally use the green variety but wanted to use red this time for the Patriotic-theme. There’s always next time, I guess.

Begin by preparing your pasta according to the package directions.

Patriotic Classic Macaroni Salad | Cook pasta for macaroni salad

Make sure that you pay close attention to your pasta so you don’t overcook it. The World Market Stars & Stripes pasta cooks very quickly, like 5 – 6 minutes. If you leave the pasta in too long the shapes will break apart and you’ll be left with random pieces of pasta that don’t look like anything.

Patriotic Classic Macaroni Salad | Stars and Stripes pasta from World Market

As soon as the pasta is cooked through, strain and run it under cold water to stop the cooking process. Let the pasta drain in the sink while you put together the rest of the ingredients.

Patriotic Classic Macaroni Salad | Drain pasta for your macaroni salad

Start by finely dicing up all your veggies. I like to use my Pampered Chef food chopper to cut the vegetables into teeny tiny pieces.

Patriotic Classic Macaroni Salad | finely diced vegetables for pasta salad

With the food chopper, you’ll have finely diced onions, celery, carrots, and bell pepper in no time!

Patriotic Classic Macaroni Salad | Finely diced vegetables for pasta salad

Next, in the bottom of a large mixing bowl, add all your ingredients for the creamy mayonnaise sauce: mayo, vinegar, sugar, mustard, salt, and pepper.

Patriotic Classic Macaroni Salad | Creamy Mayonnaise Mixture

Mix it all together until the sauce mixture is well-combined.

Patriotic Classic Macaroni Salad | Creamy Mayonnaise Mixture

Gently stir to combine the Stars and Stripes pasta with the mayonnaise mixture.  

Patriotic Classic Macaroni Salad | Combine pasta with creamy mayonnaise mixture

Add all the finely diced vegetables into the bowl and continue to stir the ingredients together being cautious not to break up the pasta shapes by stirring to hard.

Patriotic Classic Macaroni Salad | Add vegetables to macaroni salad

Doesn’t it look so beautiful with everything combined together?!?!

Patriotic Classic Macaroni Salad | Mixed Macaroni Salad

Cover the bowl and place it in the fridge for a minimum of 4 hours but preferably overnight if at all possible.

Patriotic Classic Macaroni Salad | Covered macaroni salad

Before you’re ready to serve the macaroni salad, gently give it one more good stir to make sure everything is coated.

Patriotic Classic Macaroni Salad Recipe | Stars & Stripes Pasta Salad

You can’t tell me this recipe isn’t easy?! There’s definitely no reason you can’t make this summer pasta side dish for your next potluck or BBQ. I can guarantee your friends and family will be blown away with this Patriotic Classic Macaroni Salad recipe. Give it a whirl and tell me what you think. Happy Summer!

Patriotic Classic Macaroni Salad Recipe | Stars & Stripes Pasta Salad

5.0 from 1 reviews
Patriotic Classic Macaroni Salad Recipe
 
Print
Prep time
10 mins
Cook time
4 hours
Total time
4 hours 10 mins
 
I’m always looking for easy Patriotic food ideas to bring to a summer potluck or a Memorial Day, 4th of July, or Labor Day BBQ. This creamy summer pasta salad recipe is made with American-themed pasta from World Market. Stop by the lake and learn how to make this classic macaroni salad recipe for all your summer lake days.
Author: Tiffany @ Lake Life State of Mind
Recipe type: Side Dish
Ingredients
  • 16 oz. World Market Stars & Stripes pasta (can substitute 16 oz. elbow macaroni)
  • 1 cup of mayonnaise
  • ¼ cup of white vinegar
  • ⅔ cup of sugar
  • 2 ½ tbsp of yellow mustard
  • 1 ½ tsp of salt
  • ½ tsp of pepper
  • 1 large onion (finely diced)
  • 2 stalks of celery (finely diced)
  • 1 red bell pepper (finely diced)
  • about ¼ cup of carrots (finely diced)
Instructions
  1. Begin by preparing your pasta according to the package directions.
  2. As soon as the pasta is cooked through, strain and run it under cold water to stop the cooking process. Let the pasta drain in the sink while you put together the rest of the ingredients.
  3. Start by finely dicing up all your veggies. I like to use my Pampered Chef food chopper to cut the vegetables into teeny tiny pieces.
  4. Next, in the bottom of a large mixing bowl, add all your ingredients for the creamy mayonnaise sauce: mayo, vinegar, sugar, mustard, salt, and pepper.
  5. Mix it all together until the sauce mixture is well-combined.
  6. Gently stir to combine the Stars and Stripes pasta with the mayonnaise mixture.
  7. Add all the finely diced vegetables into the bowl and continue to stir the ingredients together being cautious not to break up the pasta shapes by stirring to hard.
  8. Cover the bowl and place it in the fridge for a minimum of 4 hours but preferably overnight if at all possible.
  9. Before you're ready to serve the macaroni salad, gently give it one more good stir to make sure everything is coated.
3.5.3251

Want to remember this? Post this Patriotic Macaroni Salad Recipe to your favorite Pinterest board!

Patriotic Classic Macaroni Salad Recipe | Stars & Stripes Pasta Salad

Patriotic Classic Macaroni Salad Recipe | Stars & Stripes Pasta Salad

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Comments | 2 comments

« How to Make Easy Strawberry Margaritas on the Rocks
Fun Summer Decorating Ideas for the Home »

Comments

  1. Sharlene Habermeyer says

    May 18, 2019 at 12:24 am

    Oh, Tiffany! Another fabulous recipe! This looks so yummy! I love cold pasta salads and this will be perfect for our 4th of July picnic this year. What makes this so fun and clever is the patriotic pasta! I would have never thought of World Market! Our kids and grandkids will love it and it just may be the key to getting the grandkids to eat it–when they see a flag. Last, sometimes when you go to make a new recipe it’s great to see the step-by-step tutorials that you always provide–thank you! I’m off to World Market so I can try this salad out this weekend!

    Reply
    • lakelifestateofmind@gmail.com says

      May 20, 2019 at 1:14 pm

      Your grandkids would love this! I agree it makes it easier to get little ones to eat when they see fun shapes in their food. I hope you and the family enjoy it. And thank you for appreciating my tutorials 🙂

      Reply

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I'm a wife, mom of a teenager, coffee addict, sunshine obsessed Florida girl, and a lover of lake life. On this lifestyle blog, I share all things fun and creative! You’ll find simple recipes, organizing and entertaining tips, holiday inspiration, and of course, a big dose of lake life living. It’s my mission to help you create a life anchored in family and fun. ⚓️

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“The way we reflect the world around us is the direct reflection of the world within us”...Sending you love and positive vibes from the lake on this beautiful Sunday. Happy Sunday from the lake everyone❤️💗❤️💗
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#nofilter #nofilterneeded #nofilters #lakeview #lakeviews #lakeliving #lakelifeisthebestlife #lakelife⚓️ #lakelife #sundayvibes #positivequotes #quotestoliveby #quotesaboutlife #positivevibes #positiveenergy #positivemindset #positivethinking #lakelifestateofmind

“The way we reflect the world around us is the direct reflection of the world within us”...Sending you love and positive vibes from the lake on this beautiful Sunday. Happy Sunday from the lake everyone❤️💗❤️💗
.
#nofilter #nofilterneeded #nofilters #lakeview #lakeviews #lakeliving #lakelifeisthebestlife #lakelife⚓️ #lakelife #sundayvibes #positivequotes #quotestoliveby #quotesaboutlife #positivevibes #positiveenergy #positivemindset #positivethinking #lakelifestateofmind
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Our kitchen got a little extra love in the form of some Valentine’s Day dish towels and pretty pink flowers. Simple, cheap, and definitely worth the effort to add a little Valentine’s Day cheer to your kitchen space.💗❤️💗❤️
.
On a different note, what’s for dinner in your house tonight? I’m racking my brain trying to think of something. Help!!🤣
.
 http://liketk.it/365HX #liketkit @liketoknow.it @liketoknow.it.home #LTKhome #LTKSeasonal #valentinesdecor #kitchendecor #simpledecor #lakehousedecor #lakehouseliving #lakehouselife #seasonaldecor #valentines_day #prettylittlething #prettyinpink #lakelifestateofmind

Our kitchen got a little extra love in the form of some Valentine’s Day dish towels and pretty pink flowers. Simple, cheap, and definitely worth the effort to add a little Valentine’s Day cheer to your kitchen space.💗❤️💗❤️
.
On a different note, what’s for dinner in your house tonight? I’m racking my brain trying to think of something. Help!!🤣
.
http://liketk.it/365HX #liketkit @liketoknow.it @liketoknow.it.home #LTKhome #LTKSeasonal #valentinesdecor #kitchendecor #simpledecor #lakehousedecor #lakehouseliving #lakehouselife #seasonaldecor #valentines_day #prettylittlething #prettyinpink #lakelifestateofmind
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❤️💗❤️💗Three things I’m loving from this week:
1. Our heat lamp and new television that got put up in our pool area! 
2. Week two is almost complete for my #bootyandthighchallenge and everyone is killing it!
3. My new Valentine’s Day decor that makes me smile just looking at it!
❤️💗❤️💗
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I’d love to know something good from your week. Let me know below. ⬇️
Shop my Valentine’s Day decor  ideas through @liketoknow.it http://liketk.it/361pQ #liketkit #liketoknowithome 
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#valentinesdecor #valentinesdecorations #vdaydecor #homedecor #homesweethome #cozyhomedecor #homedecorlove #homedecorideas #coffeelover #coffeetime #coffeebar #coffeebardecor #coffeebardecoration #drinkstationlove #drinkstation #tieredtraydecor #tieredtray #targetstyle #targetdollarspot #targetfinds

❤️💗❤️💗Three things I’m loving from this week:
1. Our heat lamp and new television that got put up in our pool area!
2. Week two is almost complete for my #bootyandthighchallenge and everyone is killing it!
3. My new Valentine’s Day decor that makes me smile just looking at it!
❤️💗❤️💗
.
I’d love to know something good from your week. Let me know below. ⬇️
Shop my Valentine’s Day decor ideas through @liketoknow.it http://liketk.it/361pQ #liketkit #liketoknowithome
.
#valentinesdecor #valentinesdecorations #vdaydecor #homedecor #homesweethome #cozyhomedecor #homedecorlove #homedecorideas #coffeelover #coffeetime #coffeebar #coffeebardecor #coffeebardecoration #drinkstationlove #drinkstation #tieredtraydecor #tieredtray #targetstyle #targetdollarspot #targetfinds
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Can you spot the pink in this photo?! It’s hard to believe that Valentine’s Day is one month from today. Starting tomorrow, my feed is going to be taken over by hearts, pink, and all things love. For today, I’m just giving you a little tease. I purposely took this picture with my back to my mantle because it’s about to get a Valentine’s Day update and I want it to be a surprise.🥰
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Anyone else feeling the itch to decorate for The Day of Love?!?!❤️❤️❤️
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#bhghome #lakelifestyle #lakehousedecor #lakehouseliving #lakehousedesign #lakehouses #lakehome #lakehomes #livingroomdecor #moderndesign #stairs #staircasedesign #bhgstylemaker #bhg #tealdecor #lakelifestateofmind

Can you spot the pink in this photo?! It’s hard to believe that Valentine’s Day is one month from today. Starting tomorrow, my feed is going to be taken over by hearts, pink, and all things love. For today, I’m just giving you a little tease. I purposely took this picture with my back to my mantle because it’s about to get a Valentine’s Day update and I want it to be a surprise.🥰
.
Anyone else feeling the itch to decorate for The Day of Love?!?!❤️❤️❤️
.
#bhghome #lakelifestyle #lakehousedecor #lakehouseliving #lakehousedesign #lakehouses #lakehome #lakehomes #livingroomdecor #moderndesign #stairs #staircasedesign #bhgstylemaker #bhg #tealdecor #lakelifestateofmind
...

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“Memories at the lake last a lifetime”...i.e. Like when Zach recently went to put the cover on the boat and his phone fell out of his pocket into the water. Or when Patrick thought he was hitting the brake on his friend’s jet ski and it took off like a 🚀 causing chaos. Or when we almost sank our pontoon in the middle of the lake.🤣🤣🤣
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Lake life is amazing but isn’t always perfect. Any funny bloopers you have of you or your family at the lake, beach, or even the pool? Our family can’t be the only ones...can we??!!🤔
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#lakelifeisthebestlife #lakelifestateofmind #lakeliving #lakelife⚓️ #lakefun #familytime #bloopers😂 #funtimes😊 #familyfun #oops #funnymoments #classicmoments #lakehouselife #lakelife #memorykeeping #memorylane

“Memories at the lake last a lifetime”...i.e. Like when Zach recently went to put the cover on the boat and his phone fell out of his pocket into the water. Or when Patrick thought he was hitting the brake on his friend’s jet ski and it took off like a 🚀 causing chaos. Or when we almost sank our pontoon in the middle of the lake.🤣🤣🤣
.
Lake life is amazing but isn’t always perfect. Any funny bloopers you have of you or your family at the lake, beach, or even the pool? Our family can’t be the only ones...can we??!!🤔
.
#lakelifeisthebestlife #lakelifestateofmind #lakeliving #lakelife⚓️ #lakefun #familytime #bloopers😂 #funtimes😊 #familyfun #oops #funnymoments #classicmoments #lakehouselife #lakelife #memorykeeping #memorylane
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You know how much I love you all, right?! Enough to embarrass the heck out of myself in a SPORTS BRA in my stories for you. 🤦🏽‍♀️ Many of you wanted a review and try-on of my recent Amazon workout purchase so that’s what I did for ya...very awkwardly.🤣
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Head to my stories for my honest opinions along with all the details for the items I purchased. I also linked everything in @liketoknow.it so you can easily shop if you see something you fancy. The link is in my bio.🙌🏼
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You know how much I love you all, right?! Enough to embarrass the heck out of myself in a SPORTS BRA in my stories for you. 🤦🏽‍♀️ Many of you wanted a review and try-on of my recent Amazon workout purchase so that’s what I did for ya...very awkwardly.🤣
.
Head to my stories for my honest opinions along with all the details for the items I purchased. I also linked everything in @liketoknow.it so you can easily shop if you see something you fancy. The link is in my bio.🙌🏼
.
#liketoknowit @liketoknow.it https://ltk.app.link/iK7zlUW6Xcb #leggings #comfyoutfit #amazonfinds #amazonfashion #ltkfit #athleisure #activewear #fitnessmotivation #womenfashion #sportsbra #activetop #fitnesswear #momstyle #exercise #workout #orlandoblogger
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