Hey there, friend! So, um, today we’re making something super yummy. It’s a fun twist on the Golden Corral Macaroni Salad Recipe you might’ve tried at Golden Corral.
But guess what? This one has, like, bacon, eggs, peas, and even asparagus. Yeah-it’s really good. It’s creamy and cool and just perfect for spring or summer days pairing with Pork Steak or Sirloin Steaks.
You can make it for lunch, dinner, or, like, for a picnic with friends. And it’s not hard at all, promise. So, let’s go step-by-step and make it together. Grab a big bowl, and let’s get cookin’!
What Makes This Golden Corral Macaroni Salad So Delicious?
Oh wow, this Golden Corral Macaroni Salad is just so yummy! It’s got soft pasta, crunchy veggies, and crispy bacon all mixed in one big happy bowl. Every bite is full of fun textures and creamy goodness.
The dressing? Oh my gosh-it’s super creamy and just a little bit tangy. The mayo and yogurt make it smooth, and the mustard gives it a tiny kick. And let’s not forget the sweet peas and eggs-they make it feel like spring in your mouth!
What really makes it special is how everything works together. It’s cold, it’s fresh, and it’s so easy to love. One bite and you’ll be like, “Mmm… I need more!” It’s the perfect salad for any day.
Ingredients Required for Golden Corral Macaroni Salad Recipe
Here’s the list of Ingredients you’ll need to make this Golden Corral Macaroni Salad
For the Salad:
- 1 ½ cups (225g) elbow macaroni
- 1 tbsp salt (for boiling water)
- 1 cup asparagus, trimmed and chopped
- 1 cup frozen green peas
- 5 strips bacon
- 2 boiled eggs
- ¼ red onion, finely diced
- 1 tbsp fresh dill, finely chopped (or chives)
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
For the Creamy Dressing:
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup Greek yogurt
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp sugar
- Salt to taste
- ¼ tsp ground black pepper
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar (or lemon juice)
Kitchen Tools You’ll Need
- Large pot
- Skillet
- Strainer or colander
- Mixing bowls
- Sharp knife
- Cutting board
- Measuring cups & spoons
- Spatula or salad tongs
- Plastic wrap (for chilling)
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Recipe for Golden Corral Macaroni Salad
Simply follow the steps given below to make your Golden Corral Macaroni Salad at home
Step 1: Cook the Macaroni
Bring 2 liters of water to a boil. Add 1 tablespoon of salt, then stir in 1½ cups elbow macaroni. Cook on medium heat until just al dente. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
Step 2: Prep the Asparagus
While the macaroni cooks, trim the woody ends off your asparagus. Chop the tops into larger pieces and the stems a bit smaller. Set aside in a bowl.
Step 3: Add Greens to the Pot
Two minutes before the macaroni is done, add the chopped asparagus and 1 cup frozen green peas. Cook until bright and crisp-about 2 minutes more.
Step 4: Drain and Rinse
Drain everything and rinse under cold water. This stops the cooking and locks in that fresh texture.
Step 5: Cook the Bacon
In a heated skillet, fry 5 strips of bacon until crispy on both sides. Drain on paper towels, Salisbury Steak, and chop into bite-sized bits.
Step 6: Add Eggs and Onion
Chop 2 boiled eggs into small chunks. Finely dice ¼ red onion. Add both to the salad bowl.
Step 7: Toss in Fresh Herbs
Finely chop 1 tbsp dill and 1 tbsp parsley (or sub with chives if preferred). Add herbs to the mix for a burst of garden-fresh flavor.
Step 8: Make the Creamy Dressing
In a bowl, whisk together: 1 cup mayo, ½ cup Greek yogurt, 1 tbsp Dijon mustard, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tbsp sugar, Pinch of salt, ¼ tsp black pepper, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar or lemon juice Whisk until smooth and creamy.
Step 9: Combine and Chill
Add 2/3 of the dressing to the pasta and veggie mix. Toss gently so you don’t break the pasta. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours (or overnight).
Step 10: Serve Fresh
Before serving, stir in the remaining 1/3 of the dressing to revive the salad’s creaminess. Garnish with a sprinkle of chopped parsley, and serve chilled.
Some Tasty Ways To Customize and Serve This Golden Corral Macaroni Salad
1.Next to Grilled Chicken
Honestly, nothing beats a plate of juicy grilled chicken with a scoop of this cold, creamy salad on the side. The smoky meat and tangy dressing are just meant to be together.
2.With BBQ Ribs
Oh yes-we’ve done this for summer cookouts, and it always disappears fast. The salad cools down the richness of the ribs so perfectly.
3.In a Wrap
We once tucked a big spoonful into a soft tortilla with some leftover rotisserie chicken-total game changer. Creamy, crunchy, and easy lunch!
4.As a Side to Burgers
We’ve served this with classic cheeseburgers and let me tell you-it’s way better than fries. The fresh herbs and bacon bits make it extra special.
5.Topped on a Bed of Greens
When we’re trying to lighten things up a bit, we’ll pile this macaroni salad on a bed of arugula or romaine. It turns into a whole new salad!
6.At a Picnic with Cold Fried Chicken
Okay, this is a big favorite. We’ve packed it for a park day with cold fried chicken and it justworks. No stress, no mess, just good food.
7.Paired with Baked Salmon
Sounds fancy, right? But we’ve done this for a weeknight dinner and it feels restaurant-worthy. The dill in the salad goes great with salmon.
8.With Deviled Eggs and Pickles
For a fun, retro party platter, we’ll serve this alongside deviled eggs, gherkins, and maybe some crackers. It’s like the ultimate snack spread.
9.Tucked Into a Lunchbox
This one’s a lifesaver during busy weeks. We’ve packed it in lunchboxes with a boiled egg and apple slices, and the kids actually love it.
10.As a Midnight Snack (Yep, Guilty)
Let’s be real-more than once, we’ve eaten this straight from the fridge, standing with the door open. It’s just that good.
Some Tips on This Golden Corral Macaroni Salad Recipe
1. Don’t forget the salt!
Add salt to the boiling water before cooking the pasta. It makes the noodles taste better.
2. Stir the pasta.
Give it a good stir so it doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pot.
3. Don’t overcook it.
Cook the pasta just right-not too soft. You want it to have a little bite.
4. Add the veggies at the end.
Toss in the peas and asparagus near the end so they stay bright and yummy.
5. Use cold water.
Rinse the pasta and veggies in cold water to stop the cooking. It keeps them fresh!
6. Cook bacon until crispy.
Crunchy bacon makes this salad super tasty. Fry it well!
7. Chop small.
Cut everything into small pieces so it’s easy to eat with a spoon or fork.
8. Let it chill.
Put the salad in the fridge for a few hours. It helps all the flavors mix together.
9. Save some dressing.
Keep a little bit of the dressing for later. Add it just before you eat-so creamy!
10. Add love.
Cooking with love makes everything taste better. Smile and have fun!
Storage Guide and Reheating Instructions for Golden Corral Macaroni Salad
Store your Golden Corral Macaroni Salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Since it’s a cold salad, there’s no need to reheat! Just give it a good stir and add a little extra dressing if it looks dry. Always keep it chilled and avoid leaving it out for too long.
Golden Corral Macaroni Salad Recipe
It’s creamy and cool and just perfect for spring or summer days. You can make it for lunch, dinner, or, like, for a picnic with friends. And it’s not hard at all, promise.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups 225g elbow macaroni
- 1 tbsp salt for boiling water
- 1 cup asparagus trimmed and chopped
- 1 cup frozen green peas
- 5 strips bacon
- 2 boiled eggs
- ¼ red onion finely diced
- 1 tbsp fresh dill finely chopped (or chives)
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley chopped
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup Greek yogurt
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp sugar
- Salt to taste
- ¼ tsp ground black pepper
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar or lemon juice
Instructions
- Bring 2 liters of water to a boil. Add 1 tablespoon of salt, then stir in 1½ cups elbow macaroni. Cook on medium heat until just al dente. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- While the macaroni cooks, trim the woody ends off your asparagus. Chop the tops into larger pieces and the stems a bit smaller. Set aside in a bowl.
- Two minutes before the macaroni is done, add the chopped asparagus and 1 cup frozen green peas. Cook until bright and crisp-about 2 minutes more.
- Drain everything and rinse under cold water. This stops the cooking and locks in that fresh texture.
- In a heated skillet, fry 5 strips of bacon until crispy on both sides. Drain on paper towels, stack, and chop into bite-sized bits.
- Chop 2 boiled eggs into small chunks. Finely dice ¼ red onion. Add both to the salad bowl.
- Finely chop 1 tbsp dill and 1 tbsp parsley (or sub with chives if preferred). Add herbs to the mix for a burst of garden-fresh flavor.
- In a bowl, whisk together: 1 cup mayo, ½ cup Greek yogurt, 1 tbsp Dijon mustard, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tbsp sugar, Pinch of salt, ¼ tsp black pepper, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar or lemon juice Whisk until smooth and creamy.
- Add 2/3 of the dressing to the pasta and veggie mix. Toss gently so you don’t break the pasta. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours (or overnight).
- Before serving, stir in the remaining 1/3 of the dressing to revive the salad’s creaminess. Garnish with a sprinkle of chopped parsley, and serve chilled.
Video
Notes
Common Queries on This Golden Corral Macaroni Salad Recipe
Here, we’ve got you covered with some common questions about the Golden Corral Macaroni Salad that people often ask.
1. What are the ingredients of macaroni salad?
From our kitchen, we love using elbow macaroni, crisp asparagus, green peas, boiled eggs, crispy bacon, red onion, and fresh herbs like dill and parsley. The dressing is a creamy mix of mayo, Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, a touch of sugar, vinegar, and seasonings.
2. How to make simple macaroni salad with mayonnaise?
It’s super easy! Just cook your pasta, toss in your veggies and extras, and mix it all with a creamy mayo-based dressing. We like to lighten ours with a little Greek yogurt, but plain mayo works too. Let it chill so the flavors really soak in.
3. What is the secret ingredient in macaroni salad?
In our opinion? It’s the apple cider vinegar! Just a splash brings out all the other flavors and gives the salad that little zing that keeps you coming back for more.
4. What seasoning do you put in macaroni salad?
We usually go with garlic powder, black pepper, and just a little salt (since bacon and mayo are already salty). Fresh dill and parsley also make a huge difference-they brighten up the whole bowl!
5. Can I make this salad ahead of time?
Yes, absolutely! In fact, it tastes even better the next day. The pasta soaks up all that creamy dressing, and everything gets super flavorful.
6. What can I use instead of asparagus or peas?
If you’re out of asparagus or peas, no worries! You can use finely chopped bell peppers, celery, or even corn. Just keep it colorful and crisp.
7. How do I keep the macaroni from getting mushy?
We always cook it just al dente-that means not too soft. And once it’s done, we rinse it with cold water to stop it from cooking any further. Works like a charm!
8. Can I skip the bacon?
Of course! Bacon adds a smoky crunch, but if you want to keep it vegetarian or lighter, feel free to leave it out. You can even add chickpeas for some extra protein.
9. How long does macaroni salad last in the fridge?
It keeps well for 3–4 days in the fridge. Just make sure it’s in an airtight container and give it a stir before serving. Add a little extra dressing if it looks dry.
10. Can I use store-bought dressing instead?
You can, but honestly, the homemade one comes together so fast and tastes so much better. It’s creamy, tangy, and perfectly balanced-it really makes the salad shine!
This macaroni salad is a celebration of spring and summer in every forkful-bright, creamy, crunchy, and satisfyingly rich. The asparagus, peas, and herbs bring freshness, while the bacon and eggs add depth and body. It’s a bold, flavorful nod to the Golden Corral macaroni salad-with an elevated homemade flair.
So, if you’re craving comfort food with a garden-fresh glow, this one’s for you. Make it a day ahead, and let those flavors dance overnight!
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