Summer time is a great time for salads, and salad side dishes. This is one salad I like a lot that I just kind of threw together, and turned out it was also liked by those I served it to. I'd tried other recipes for macaroni salads before, but was wanting something different. This became thee macaroni salad of choice there after.
Traditionally I now make this macaroni salad as one of the sides for our Thanksgiving dinner. There are some ingredients in it that everyone loves, and some that others don't. I found a happy medium with making it slightly different in batches as to please everyone. Hey, I aim to please, or keep the peace, which ever! All is well when everyone is happy!
I prefer using the small shell-macaroni because of the size, and with the other ingredients being similar in size, this is more of an everything all-in-one-spoonful kind of bite!
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Cheesy Macaroni Shells Pasta Salad
Ingredients:
1 pkg. (1lb.) of small macaroni shells pasta, cooked, drained, and cooled
4-5 boiled eggs, chopped well
1 cup mayonnaise (I use Hellman's) or enough to moisten well
1 cup frozen sweet peas, thawed (optional)
1 8oz. pkg. sharp cheddar cheese block - chopped into pea sized squares
1 8oz. pkg. white cheddar cheese block, (or colby/jack blend, medium cheddar or jack cheese) - chopped into small squares. (One mild cheese and one sharp cheese works well.)
1/4 cup red onion or green onions diced finely (optional)
1/4 tsp. seasoning salt
1/2 tsp. paprika
salt & black pepper to taste
Directions:
Prepare macaroni to al denta according to package directions. After macaroni is cooked, drain and rinse in cold water. Once macaroni has cooled down, drain well. In a large mixing bowl combine macaroni shells, chopped eggs and mayo, fold gently to mix. Add the cheeses, seasoning, paprika, salt & black pepper and onions, fold gently again. Add thawed peas and fold gently. Cover. Keep Refrigerated. Serve cold. Sprinkle with paprika on top to garnish before serving.
-This is even better if made a day ahead. If the salad seems a little dry after sitting overnight, moisten it by gently adding in a little extra mayo, garnish with paprika.
Enjoy!...
