SAEDNEWS: Macaroni salad is an appetizer—or even a main dish—that can be prepared completely vegetarian, or enriched with chicken and sausage for a more flavorful variation. In this guide, you will learn how to make a delicious, restaurant-style macaroni salad suitable for parties and gatherings.
According to the cooking section of the Saed News news service, macaroni salad is one of the most popular Iranian party salads, commonly served at gatherings and celebrations. Similar to Olivier salad, it can also be considered a complete meal due to ingredients such as ham, mayonnaise, and vegetables.
Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
Pasta (short/form macaroni) | 1 package |
Sausage (ham) | 2 cups |
Mayonnaise | 1.5 cups |
Green onions (finely chopped) | 1/3 cup |
Fresh parsley (finely chopped) | 1/4 cup |
Mustard sauce | 1 tablespoon |
Lemon juice | 2 tablespoons |
Pickles (finely chopped) | 8 pieces |
Bell pepper (chopped) | 1/2 cup |
Carrots (steamed, chopped) | 2 pieces |
Olive oil | 3 tablespoons |
Salt and pepper | as needed |
First, prepare all the ingredients. Some items like pasta must be boiled and drained, while others such as carrots should be steamed. The remaining ingredients need to be chopped and mixed later.
Start by finely chopping sausage, parsley, green onions, bell pepper, and pickles. Then steam the carrots (details for steaming are usually explained in cooking tips). Set everything aside.
Next, cook the pasta:
Boil water in a large pot with salt.
Add the pasta and cook for 15–20 minutes depending on the type.
Drain it well.
Rinse with cold water to remove excess starch.
Cooking tips for pasta:
Do not overcook or undercook; it should be soft but not mushy.
Rinsing with cold water prevents the pasta from absorbing too much sauce later.
Mix mayonnaise, mustard sauce, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, pepper, and a little oregano (optional). The dressing is now ready.
Place all prepared ingredients in a large serving bowl. Add the dressing and mix well until everything is evenly coated.
Your macaroni salad is ready to serve. Enjoy!
