Cheesy Macaroni Salad
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This Cheesy Macaroni Salad is going to be a sure fire hit at your dinner table or the next potluck! No matter what time of year – quick and easy side dishes are always needed!
What You Will ❤️ About Cheesy Macaroni Salad
- Jarlsberg Dip! Everybody loves it and it’s full of cheese – so I used that to make this dip!
- Crunchy! With onion and bell pepper – this cheesy pasta salad also has a crunch!
- Easy! Stir everything together and you’re done! Great to make ahead for parties too!
What’s is Jarlsberg Dip?
Jarlsberg Dip is a really popular side that you can find at Kroger stores. It’s great with any kind of crackers and has Jarlsberg cheese (of course), mayonnaise, red onion, a touch of milk and a touch of lemon juice.
If you’re not familiar Jarlsberg is actually a Norwegian cheese – it was made by Swiss cheesemakers who then moved to Norway – which is why most people think it’s Swiss cheese. And if you can’t find Jarlsberg – a good Swiss is an easy substitute.
Cheesy Macaroni Salad Ingredients
Skip the normal macaroni salad with cheddar cheese cubes and go for something unique like this Jarlsberg Dip Cheesy Macaroni Salad!
- Elbow macaroni – you’ll need 1/2 pound of uncooked pasta for this recipe
- Jarlsberg cheese – if you can’t find it, Swiss Cheese is a good substitute
- Mayonnaise – Duke’s is always my favorite
- Milk
- Lemon Juice
- Vegetables: Red Onion, Bell Pepper, Shredded Carrot
- You could add celery in as well if you like more crunch!
- Salt & Pepper
How do you make Jarlsberg Dip Macaroni Salad?
You can use leftover Jarlsberg Dip or make a batch just for this easy macaroni salad recipe. Once you have the dip – you just add a few ingredients and macaroni and you’re done!
- In a large pot, cook macaroni according to package directions.
- While macaroni is cooking, in a large bowl, mix cheese, 1 cup mayo and remaining ingredients together
- When pasta is done, drain pasta and rinse with cold water to cool down.
- Stir macaroni into large mixing bowl with cheese & mayo mixture.
- Cover and refrigerate (at least 3-4 hours) until ready to serve. (This helps the flavors all meld together!)
- Pasta salad absorbs liquid so before serving stir in additional 1/2 cup of mayonnaise and stir to desired level of creaminess and taste preference.
- Serve in small bowls with a sprinkle of fresh parsley or fresh dill to add a little brightness!
Recipe Variations
If you’re looking to jazz it up even more, you could definitely add a few things:
- Hardboiled egg – diced 2-3 hard boiled eggs and stir in to the salad
- Sweet pickle relish – add relish or diced pickles for an additional tangy flavor and more crunch
- Diced Ham – Ham & Swiss are always a great combination
- Dijon Mustard – if you love dijon like I do – you could add 1-2 tablespoons
The thing I love about this salad too is it’s a great way to use up leftover Jarlsberg Dip – so make some for the appetizer portion and then whatever you have left – add your macaroni in and it’s a whole new dish!
Tips & FAQs
The pasta absorbs liquid as it rests – so you might think it’s perfect when you make it. But – 12 hours in a refrigerator will dry it up as the pasta soaks up the liquid. Add an extra 1/2 cup mayonnaise and stir – you’ll be good to go!
Yes! You can rinse it with cold water to speed up the process. You don’t want hot pasta to cook the remaining ingredients.
It’s good for 5-7 days as long as it’s refrigerated.
Store leftovers in an airtight container (I like these glass storage ones) in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Other great uses for Jarlsberg Cheese
More Yummy Potluck Dishes
Cheesy Macaroni Salad
Ingredients
- 1/2 lb uncooked elbow macaroni
- 2 cups Jarlsberg cheese shredded
- 1.5 cups mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1/4 cup red onion diced
- 1/4 cup yellow bell pepper diced
- 1/4 cup red bell pepper diced
- 1/4 cup carrot shredded & diced
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp coarse sea salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- In a large pot, cook macaroni according to package directions.1/2 lb uncooked elbow macaroni
- While macaroni is cooking, in a large bowl, mix cheese, 1 cup mayo and remaining ingredients together2 cups Jarlsberg cheese, 1.5 cups mayonnaise, 1/4 cup milk, 1/4 cup red onion, 1/4 cup yellow bell pepper, 1/4 cup red bell pepper, 1/4 cup carrot, 1 tsp lemon juice, 1 tsp coarse sea salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper
- When pasta is done, drain pasta and rinse with cold water to cool down.
- Stir macaroni into large mixing bowl with cheese & mayo mixture.
- Cover and refrigerate (at least 3-4 hours) until ready to serve. (This helps the flavors all meld together!)
- Pasta salad absorbs liquid so before serving stir in additional 1/2 cup of mayonnaise and stir to desired level of creaminess and taste preference.1.5 cups mayonnaise
- Serve in small bowls with a sprinkle of fresh parsley or fresh dill to add a little brightness!
I love this dip and I can’t wait to make this recipe!
it’s so good! I promise it’ll be a hit!
Can you use a different kind of cheese?
Yes!!! Swiss is a good swap for Jarlsberg
I have been making Jarlsberg dip for my family for years and we love it! Cannot wait to try this salad and surprise them all with it.
Also going to try the potato casserole with the Jarlsberg dip.
I have just spent the better part of an hour reading many of your recipes and cannot wait to try them!
Nice – you’ll love them – that dip is a great base!