BBQ Bacon Cheddar Macaroni Salad ~ Your favorite picnic salad just got a huge makeover with bbq sauce, bacon, and cheddar cheese.
Summer is the time for BBQ’s and macaroni salads. So, why not put them together?
I was heading to big bbq to celebrate one of my favorite people turning 12 years old. And to the surprise of no one, I can’t ever attend a gathering without bringing something to eat. Without a doubt the salad was a hit, but bacon and cheese with bbq sauce, well what’s not to love?
All the prep work can be completed in the time it takes the pasta to cook, making this a relatively easy dish to prepare. The longer the salad gets to sit before serving the more intense and bold the flavors become.
I hope you enjoy this macaroni salad as much as we all did.
Ingredients
- 1 lb . elbow macaroni
- 4-6 bacon slices; thick cut , cubed, and cooked
- 6 oz . cheddar cheese; grated
- 2 green bell peppers; seeded and finely chopped
- 1 rib celery , finely chopped
- 4 green onions; thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup carrots; grated
- 1 tbsp . butter
- 2 tbsp . apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 tsp . paprika
- 1/2 tsp . chili powder
- 1/2 tsp . granulated garlic
- 1 cup Miracle Whip (or mayo, if that’s how you roll)
- 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
- Salt/pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp . cilantro; chopped
Instructions
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Cook the elbow macaroni according to package directions.
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While the pasta is cooking, prepare the bacon, the veggies, and grate the cheese.
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In a small bowl, mix the vinegar, paprika, chili powder, and granulated garlic together.
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In another bowl, mix the BBQ sauce and the Miracle Whip (mayo).
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Once the pasta is done, drain it, and rinse it with cold water.
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Shake it well; making sure no water is clinging to it or in it, then add it to a large mixing bowl.
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Coat the warm pasta with the butter; this will prevent the noodles from sticking together.
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Add the carrots, green onions, bell peppers, and bacon to the still slightly warm pasta. Toss well.
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Let it sit for 5 minutes.
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Pour the seasoned-vinegar mixture over the pasta and mix it well.
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Allow it to stand for another 3-5 minutes.
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Mix in the cheddar cheese, a small amount at a time, until it is all well mixed in.
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Slowly fold in the BBQ sauce/Miracle Whip blend until the entire salad is evenly coated.
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Season with salt and pepper.
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Add the cilantro in or use as garnish.
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Cover and chill until ready to serve.
33 Comments
janelle
August 8, 2014 at 7:55 amthis is a pile of cheese goodness! looks great
Michelle
August 8, 2014 at 11:08 amThanks Janelle, my personal belief system is that anything with bacon and cheese has to be wonderful.
The Food Hunter
August 8, 2014 at 10:30 amthere’s a lot of goodness in this dish!
Michelle
August 8, 2014 at 11:08 amThank you, it really has a great combination of ingredients.
Sandi Gaertner
August 8, 2014 at 11:21 amAhhh, you did say bacon right? What a delicious recipe!
Michelle
August 8, 2014 at 12:17 pmAlways Bacon, ALWAYS! 🙂
Erren @ Erren's Kitchen
August 8, 2014 at 12:35 pmYUM YUM YUM!
Michelle
August 8, 2014 at 9:05 pmThank you Erren
Cindy Gordon
August 9, 2014 at 2:36 pmThis looks great! My MIL will love it!
Michelle
August 14, 2014 at 12:04 amI hope she does. Thank you Cindy.
Kaisin
September 3, 2014 at 8:22 pmThanks for sharing the wonderful recipe! cant wait to try it! I recently bought some BBQ Hotplates Online can’t resist mysle fto cook the bacon on it and use in the salad!
Michelle
September 3, 2014 at 10:11 pmOh Thank you Kaisin. I will check out that item.
Cynthia
November 19, 2014 at 9:01 amThis looks amazing. How many people does it serve?
Michelle
November 19, 2014 at 10:02 amHi Cynthia, this recipe will serve 6-8 people easily. Thanks for stopping by.
Arman @ thebigmansworld
March 11, 2015 at 1:55 amMichelle I could faceplant this right now.
Michelle
March 11, 2015 at 4:57 pmLet me grab you a bib first.
Susan | LunaCafe
March 11, 2015 at 9:51 pmWhat an interesting mac salad. Love the barbecue sauce angle. Great for summer buffets and potlucks. Can’t wait to try it.
Michelle
March 11, 2015 at 11:41 pmThank you Susan, it is different, but delicious.
Florian @ContentednessCooking
July 9, 2015 at 1:32 amThis is perfect comfort food, Michelle! So versatile for to bring on any summer gatherings or BBQs
Michelle
July 9, 2015 at 1:48 amThank you Florian, I am certain you will find a tasty way to keep the spirit of this recipe but vegan-ize it.
Judy@ImBoredLetsGo
July 9, 2015 at 5:52 amBacon and cheese? Together with pasta? and BBQ sauce? Oh yes, please!
Michelle
July 9, 2015 at 11:57 amHa! Thank you Judy.
Julie @ Texan New Yorker
July 9, 2015 at 5:59 amMind. Blown. I think you win macaroni salad for all time. This sounds beyond amazing! Talk about punching up the flavor of what can be a very bland dish. Wow!! I love it!
Michelle
July 9, 2015 at 11:57 amThank you Julie.
Kacey @ The Cookie Writer
July 9, 2015 at 8:51 amLove how gorgeous and colourful this macaroni salad looks! Such an easy summer dish with bold flavours!
Michelle
July 9, 2015 at 12:55 pmThank you Kacey, it’s great for summer.
Jenna
July 9, 2015 at 11:58 amThis pasta salad has three of my favorite ingredients: cheese, bacon, and bbq! So, it HAS to be good! 🙂
Michelle
July 10, 2015 at 11:14 amI like the way you think Jenna!
Healing Tomato
July 9, 2015 at 1:20 pmThis sounds like great comfort food. I will make a vegetarian version of this recipe.
Michelle
July 10, 2015 at 11:15 amYou could easily make this vegetarian, omit bacon and you’re done. But I’d add a teeny tiny bit of liquid smoke to get a bit of that smoky flavor that bacon gives food.
Healing Tomato
July 10, 2015 at 11:45 amHow about adding a little smoked Gouda. How do you add liquid smoke?
Michelle
July 10, 2015 at 12:51 pmIt’s a bottle of liquid sold usually by the ketchup and BBQ sauces. But I like your thinking with the smoked Gouda.
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