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Brenda Gantt Macaroni Salad Recipe
Nothing provides warmth and comfort to a table that a big bowl of homemade macaroni salad like Brenda Gantt offers. Brenda’s macaroni salad recipe is colorful and crunchy with Southern charm. With simple ingredients, such as macaroni, fresh sweet peppers, cherry tomatoes, carrots, peas, and celery, Brenda takes this humble dish and makes it rich and creamy and full of flavor, quality, and charm for every occasion.
Brenda’s macaroni salad presents a delicious recipe straight from her kitchen, where she has shared pull-up-a-chair and sit-down meals for a long time. It’s the kind of salad that is more than a side, more like a meal packed with our favorite veggies and love.
Whether you are getting ready for a New Year’s party, church potluck, or just a lazy Sunday lunch, Brenda’s macaroni salad can provide freshness, flavor, and take you back to the lovely tradition of gathering together for food. Once you try it, you will know why Brenda has been recognized as the popular and loved person she is from generation to generation.
You may also love additional recipes like Brenda Gantt’s Pimento Cheese Recipe, Brenda Gantt’s Squash Alabama Casserole Recipe, Brenda Gantt’s Chicken Salad Recipe or more delicious recipes found on our site.
What Does Brenda Gantt Macaroni Salad Taste Like?
Brenda Gantt’s macaroni salad offers a mix of creamy, crunchy and tangy. The macaroni provides a soft and filling base to the salad which is perfectly complemented by the crisp bites of celery, sweet peppers, and carrots. The macaroni, with all of the vegetables on your fork, offers a refreshing contrast of textures that makes you want to go back for more.
The mayonnaise dressing is the cohesion that binds all of the ingredients together; which is rich and creamy and simply seasoned with salt and pepper, coats the vegetables and pasta nicely and creates the signature southern flavor that is very recognizable if you are from the south or experience southern living.
In addition, there is the freshness of the tiny tomatoes and English peas that add to the sweetness of the salad, and the sweetness of the peppers bring a mild zest that shouldn’t be overlooked. This is one of those salads that tastes even better the next day because the flavors from the ingredients have combined in a harmonious way.
Ingredients Required for Brenda Gantt Macaroni Salad Recipe
Here’s the list of Ingredients you’ll need to make this Brenda Gantt Macaroni Salad
- 1 pound elbow macaroni (cooked al dente)
- 3 small containers of cherry or “handy candy” tomatoes
- 1 pack of mini sweet peppers (yellow and orange), sliced into rings
- 4 ribs of celery, finely chopped
- 1 cup carrots, lightly cooked and diced
- 1/2 red onion, finely chopped
- 1 cup frozen English peas (thawed)
- 1 ½ cups mayonnaise (adjust to taste)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Optional: fresh herbs or a touch of hot sauce for extra flavor
Kitchen Utensil You’ll Need
- Large mixing bowl
- Colander
- Cutting board and knife
- Saucepan for boiling pasta
- Mixing spoon
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 10 minutes
How to Make Brenda Gantt Macaroni Salad
Simply follow the steps given below to make your Brenda Gantt Macaroni Salad at home
1. Cook the macaroni: Boil some water in a pot and season it with salt before adding the macaroni. Cook until barely tender (al dente) – do not let it become mushy. Drain the macaroni and rinse under cold water.
2. Prepare the vegetables: Slightly cook the sliced carrots until tender, but not completely soft or mushy. Chop the celery and onions into bite-size pieces, and leave the tomatoes whole so they won’t release too much moisture.
3. Mix it up: In a large bowl, combine the cooled macaroni, cooked carrots, chopped celery, red onion, frozen peas, and sliced sweet peppers. Add the whole cherry tomato to the salad after you’ve mixed everything.
4. Make it creamy: Add the mayonnaise, salt, and black pepper. Stir gently and carefully to avoid smashing the peas or cherry tomatoes until the mayonnaise coats everything evenly. Add more mayonnaise or adjust salt and pepper to your taste.
5. Chill and serve: Cover the salad with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least one hour up to overnight before serving, as the salad will taste better once it is chilled. Serve cold, side the macaroni salad with crackers as an appetizer, or grilled chicken or fish for dinner.
Some Tasty Ways To Customize and Serve This Brenda Gantt Macaroni Salad
1. With Fried Chicken Fresh from the Skillet
There’s just something magical about pairing cold, creamy macaroni salad with a batch of golden, crispy fried chicken. The contrast of hot and cold, crunchy and smooth – it’s pure comfort. We’ve served it this way for Sunday lunches, and there’s never a bite left.
2. Alongside Grilled Barbecue Ribs
We’ve found that this salad balances out smoky, saucy ribs perfectly. The sweetness from the peppers and tomatoes complements that tangy barbecue flavor like they were made for each other.
3. At a Backyard Fish Fry
Down here, we love a good fish fry – catfish, hush puppies, and, yes, a scoop of Brenda’s macaroni salad on the side. The creamy texture cools your palate between bites of spicy fried fish.
4. With Baked Ham for the Holidays
We’ve served it next to honey-glazed ham more times than we can count, especially around Easter. The bright veggies and creamy dressing lighten up the richness of the ham beautifully.
5. In a Picnic Basket with Sandwiches
This salad travels so well! We love packing it up with pimento cheese sandwiches or chicken salad sandwiches for a picnic by the lake. It’s refreshing, hearty, and tastes even better chilled.
6. Topped with a Sprinkle of Crumbled Bacon
Here’s a little secret we discovered – crumble a few slices of crispy bacon over your macaroni salad right before serving. The salty crunch takes it to a whole new level.
7. With Hot Dogs or Burgers on Grill Night
When the grill’s going, we always make a big bowl of macaroni salad. It’s the perfect backyard side for juicy burgers or hot dogs – cool, creamy, and full of flavor.
8. As a Light Lunch with Crackers and Sweet Tea
Sometimes, we skip the main dish altogether. A bowl of macaroni salad with a few buttery crackers and a tall glass of sweet tea makes for a simple, satisfying lunch – especially on warm afternoons.
9. With Pulled Pork or Smoked Sausage
If you love Southern barbecue as much as we do, try it with pulled pork or smoked sausage. The mild creaminess of the salad balances out all that smoky spice just right.
10. Topped with a Spoonful of Brenda’s Homemade Pimento Cheese
Now this is pure Southern indulgence. We once tried topping our macaroni salad with a dollop of Brenda’s pimento cheese – and we’ve been hooked ever since. It’s rich, creamy, and full of that tangy, cheesy goodness.
Some Tips on This Brenda Gantt Macaroni Salad Recipe
1. Don’t overcook the noodles!
Cook your macaroni just until soft but not mushy. You want them a little firm so they don’t fall apart in the salad.
2. Cool your pasta fast.
Rinse the cooked macaroni under cold water. This stops it from cooking more and keeps it nice and bouncy!
3. Keep your tomatoes whole.
Don’t cut them – they’ll make your salad watery. Whole tomatoes stay juicy and sweet.
4. Chop veggies the same size.
Try to cut your carrots, celery, and peppers into little bite-size pieces so every spoonful tastes just right.
5. Add the mayo slowly.
Start with a few spoonfuls of mayonnaise and mix. You can always add more, but you can’t take it out!
6. Taste as you go.
Sprinkle in a little salt and pepper, stir, and then taste again. That’s how you find the perfect flavor.
7. Let it chill.
Put the salad in the fridge for at least one hour before eating. The flavors get better and better!
8. Make it colorful.
Use yellow and orange peppers, bright carrots, and green peas – it looks so happy and pretty!
9. Add a little crunch.
If you like, toss in some chopped celery or even tiny pickles for extra crunch and fun flavor.
10. Keep leftovers fresh.
Store your salad in the fridge with a lid on it. Give it a stir before eating the next day – it’ll still taste yummy!
How to Store and Reheat Brenda Gantt Macaroni Salad
To store leftover macaroni salad, place it in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days. It may separate a bit and the dressing may settle so be sure to stir it around before serving. I would not recommend freezing, as mayonnaise-based salads will separate when thawing. If the leftovers are a bit dry, stir in a spoonful of fresh mayonnaise when serving.
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Common Queries on This Brenda Gantt Macaroni Salad Recipe
Here, we’ve got you covered with some common questions about the Brenda Gantt Macaroni Salad that people often ask.
1. Can I use whole wheat or gluten-free macaroni for this recipe?
Absolutely! We’ve tried both, and they work beautifully. Whole wheat macaroni adds a nutty flavor and a bit more chew, while gluten-free pasta keeps it light and tender. Just make sure not to overcook — gluten-free macaroni softens quickly, so check it a minute early.
2. How do I keep the macaroni from getting too soft or mushy?
The key is to cook it al dente – just until tender but still firm to the bite. Then rinse it under cold water immediately to stop the cooking process. We’ve found that this keeps the texture perfect, even after chilling overnight.
3. Can I add other vegetables or proteins to this salad?
Definitely! We’ve added diced ham, shredded chicken, even boiled eggs – all taste great. For veggies, you can mix in cucumbers, corn, or even broccoli florets for extra crunch. Brenda always says, “Use what you’ve got and make it your own!”
4. Why shouldn’t I add chopped tomatoes to the salad?
We’ve learned this the hard way – chopped tomatoes release a lot of juice and make the salad watery and “squishy gushy,” as Brenda says. It’s best to use whole cherry or grape tomatoes so they stay firm and fresh.
5. How creamy should the salad be?
That’s totally up to you! We like ours on the creamier side, so we usually add an extra spoonful of mayonnaise before serving. If you prefer it lighter, start with less and add more gradually until it’s just right for your taste.
6. What kind of mayonnaise works best?
We’ve tested several, and regular full-fat mayonnaise gives the richest flavor. You can use light mayo if you want to cut calories, but the classic Southern taste really shines with the real deal.
7. Can I make this macaroni salad ahead of time?
Yes – in fact, it tastes even better the next day! We usually make it the night before and keep it covered in the fridge. The flavors meld beautifully overnight, making it perfect for parties or potlucks.
8. How long will it last in the refrigerator?
When stored in an airtight container, this macaroni salad stays fresh for about 3 to 4 days. Just give it a good stir before serving, and if it feels a bit dry, mix in a tablespoon of mayonnaise to freshen it up.
9. What can I serve with Brenda Gantt’s macaroni salad?
We love serving it with grilled chicken, fried catfish, or BBQ ribs – it pairs beautifully with any Southern main dish. It’s also great on its own with a side of crackers for a quick, satisfying lunch.
10. Can I spice it up a bit?
Of course! Brenda’s family loves a little kick, so they often add a dash of hot sauce or a sprinkle of cayenne pepper. You can also mix in a spoonful of Dijon mustard or some chopped pickles for extra tang.
Brenda Gantt’s macaroni salad is a bowl of Southern comfort and tradition, not just a simple side dish. It is colorful, creamy, and the perfect addition for holiday and summer gatherings – a meal call for holidays, Gatherings, or just a good meal.Make this recipe today to bring Brenda’s flavors to your home and don’t forget to look at more yumminess such as Brenda Gantt’s Pimento Cheese Recipe, Brenda Gantt’s Squash Alabama Casserole Recipe, or Brenda Gantt’s Chicken Salad Recipe for your next homemade feast!
Feel free to share your experience with this recipe by trying it out. Don’t forget to drop a comment and provide your feedback on the blog for us to read.
