Macaroni Shrimp Salad: A Family Recipe
Today, I’m going to let you in on a little family secret.
Macaroni Shrimp Salad.
I have no idea where the recipe came from. My mom learned it from her mom, and who knows where she got it. I have never met anyone else outside my family who makes it, and when I make it for a party or pot luck event, people typically have two reactions.
“I’ve never heard of that.”
Followed by:
“I love that!”
You know I’m a crafter, not a chef, so I like my recipes siimple. This one has just four ingredients. I can do that.
And you can too!
You need:
– a box of pasta
– two cans of tiny canned shrimp
– olives
– mayonnaise
STEP 1: Cook your pasta according to the directions on the box. My mom and grandmother use macaroni, but hubs and I found that we like other pastas better, like shells, or these fun campanelle noodles that look like trumpets. {We may or may not play with our food…}
STEP 2: While pasta is boiling, put shrimp and olives into a large bowl. I usually use about 8 olives cut into quarters. You can use more or less, depending on your preference. My cousins all loooove olives, so my grandma tends to put more in than I do.
STEP 3: Drain pasta and rinse with cold water. Add to bowl along with mayonnaise and stir. I don’t measure the mayo, I usually just add three ‘plops’…that’s probably less than helpful, right? Just eye it up. 😉
STEP 4: Chill.
Ok, guys, do me a favor and do not sample it yet!!
Honestly. As good as it is when it’s ready, it’s just gross when it’s still warm. If you taste it now, you’ll be like, “ew, nasty, what was she thinking?!” Cover it with platic wrap and put it in the fridge for at least three or four hours.
If you need to eat it sooner, you can put it in the freezer for a little while to cool it off more quickly, but be careful not to let it actually freeze like I did once and we had crunchy frozen noodles with our hamburgers. Oops.
STEP 5: Serve and enjoy! Add salt and pepper to taste. We think it goes really well with beef BBQ sliders…another family recipe for another day!
I really think you’ll like it. It’s simple, quick, and it’s a really interesting combo of flavors. The only people I’ve ever met who don’t like it are LC {who doesn’t count because he won’t actually try it} and my dad {who also doesn’t count since he’s a Steelers fan which automatically means he has questionable taste}. If you try it, let me know what you think!
Happy Crafting!
I mean cooking! Or maybe eating…
That’s funny about not tasting it until it’s chilled. That is definitely something I would do. Looks simple and yummy – perfect for summer entertaining.
Looks yummy! My mom makes one very similar.
Yummy!
One of my very favorites…Hope everyone likes it…
This looks incredibly yummy! thank you for the recipe! 😉
Bonnie @ uncommon
http://www.uncommondesignsonline.com
Having only four ingredients sounds incomplete. I’ll probably try this at home, macaroni salads are great!
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I like simple. My daughter loves shrimp and pasta, I’ll have to give this a whirl.
Visiting from The 36th Ave Linky Party, hope you’ll stop by my blog too. 🙂
Thanks for sharing,
Laura
omg. yum.
just found your lovely blog…come visit anytime:
http://hellolovelyinc.blogspot.com
smiles.
michele
Looks easy & tasty!
Hi there, this is a really nice post about fish/seafood. It would be great if you linked to it in my Food on Friday series. This week it is about all things fishy and seafoody. Food on Friday
Love macaroni shrimp salad! Just in time for summer! We loved having you link up to our “Strut Your Stuff Saturday.” Hope you’ll be back soon! -The Sisters
I LOVE shrimp!Thank you for sharing at Saturday Show & Tell, hope to see you back next week! 🙂
Mackenzie 🙂
http://www.cheeriosandlattes.com