Comforting Bacon Mac and Cheese Salad
A creamy, smoky, and crunchy mac and cheese salad perfect for potlucks and casual gatherings. Combines classic mac and cheese with fresh veggies and crispy bacon for a crowd-pleasing dish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces elbow macaroni, cooked al dente
- 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 2 stalks celery, finely diced
- 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
- 3 green onions, thinly sliced
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Optional: fresh parsley or chives for garnish
- Optional: pinch of smoked paprika
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add elbow macaroni and cook until just al dente, about 7-8 minutes. Drain in a colander and rinse with cold water to stop cooking and cool the pasta. Set aside to drain thoroughly.
- While the pasta cooks, fry bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy, about 6-8 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess grease. Once cooled, crumble into bite-sized pieces.
- Finely dice celery and red bell pepper. Thinly slice green onions.
- In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, yellow mustard, apple cider vinegar, salt, and pepper to taste until creamy and tangy.
- In a large bowl, combine cooled macaroni, crumbled bacon, shredded cheddar cheese, diced celery, bell pepper, and sliced green onions. Pour the dressing over and gently toss until evenly coated.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let flavors meld. Before serving, give it a gentle stir and garnish with fresh parsley or chives if desired.
Notes
Rinse pasta with cold water immediately after boiling to prevent mushiness. Fry bacon on medium heat for crispy but not burnt pieces. Save some bacon fat to add flavor if desired. Chill salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to meld flavors. Stir gently to avoid breaking pasta. Store leftovers in airtight container in fridge up to 3 days; add a splash of milk or mayo if salad thickens.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1 cup (250 g)
- Calories: 375
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 550
- Fat: 25
- Saturated Fat: 8
- Carbohydrates: 25
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 12
Keywords: bacon mac and cheese salad, potluck recipe, easy mac and cheese salad, creamy salad, bacon salad, comfort food salad