Macaroni Salad Recipe Made with Frozen Peas 🧺

Best Macaroni Salad for Picnics

feature macaroni salad with frozen peas

Whether you are packing a basket for the beach or hosting a backyard barbecue, this easy macaroni salad with frozen peas is always a crowd-pleaser.

It is a simple, budget-friendly pasta salad that upgrades a traditional family recipe with crunchy red onions and a delicious homemade relish twist.

I have always loved macaroni salad with frozen peas, but these days I’ve changed it up a little from the classic version that my mom made.

It is almost the same, but not quite.

The picnic salad is still easy to make, but I made some minor changes that add to the flavor.

On Summer days, I like to make the salad in the morning before the house has warmed up.

Then we can enjoy the cold salad for lunch or dinner, when I don’t want to fire up the stove again.

🧊 The Ultimate Make-Ahead Side Dish

Instead of using a jar of store bought pickle relish in this salad, I made my own relish by chopping up homemade bread and butter zucchini pickles.

The sweet and sour taste of the bread and butter pickles adds a nice burst of flavor the the pasta salad.

Go ahead and get creative with the type of pickles you use for this salad.

Bread and butter pickles are delicious, but other types of homemade or store bought can be used.

A hearty German mustard also adds great flavor, as do the red onions and minced garlic.

The salad is similar to my moms, but I’ve made the flavor a bit more complex and bold.

Also, it looks extra pretty, since there are lots of peas and extra colors.

Enjoy this salad at home or pack it to take with you for a picnic at a park or at the beach.

🧺 Macaroni Salad Recipe

Ingredients 🛒

1 lb. pkg. Macaroni Shells, prepared according to package directions
1 lb. Frozen Peas
½ cup Mayonnaise
¼ cup German Mustard
1 Small Red Onion, chopped
½ cup Bread and Butter Pickles, chopped
1 T Garlic, minced
Pickle Brine as needed for proper consistency
Salt and Black Pepper to taste

Supplies 🥣

Large Salad Bowl with cover
Large Spoon

Instructions ✅

Prepare pasta according to package directions. Rinse with cold water and drain.
Add frozen peas, mayonnaise, German mustard, chopped red onion, minced garlic and chopped pickles to the salad bowl and stir to combine.
Fold in the macaroni.
Add additional pickle brine, if needed, and sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste.
Cover and chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

💡 Tips for Success from My Kitchen

💧 How to Keep Pasta Salad from Drying Out

Macaroni has a tendency to soak up dressing as it sits, but you can easily prevent a dry salad with a simple kitchen trick.

To keep everything perfectly creamy, add an extra splash of pickle juice to the mixture before chilling, and always ensure you cover it securely before placing it in the refrigerator to lock in that wonderful moisture.

🧀 Customizing Your Mix-Ins

This classic recipe is absolutely delicious exactly as it is, but it is also incredibly versatile if you want to experiment.

Feel free to play around with the ratios by adding more or less of your favorite mix-ins, or even toss in some shredded or cubed cheese for an extra layer of savory flavor.

⏳ Can You Make Macaroni Salad Ahead of Time?

Yes, this is the ultimate make-ahead side dish!

In fact, preparing it in advance allows all the sweet and tangy flavors to meld together beautifully.

Simply whip it up when it’s convenient for you, store it covered in the fridge, and it will be chilled and ready to serve when you are.

🧊 How to Safely Store Your Leftovers

To keep your salad tasting fresh, store any leftovers covered in the refrigerator as soon as the meal is over.

You can pack the salad into one big airtight container for family-style eating, or portion it out into convenient single-serve containers for quick and easy grab-and-go lunches throughout the week.