Ninja Foodi Pea and Macaroni Salad

Alright, I'll be the first to admit that this recipe sounds weird.  Peas and macaroni mixed with mayonnaise?  That can't be good!  But...it is!  🙂  You can add other ingredients to this recipe, but then it's not really pea and macaroni salad anymore lol. 

I grew up eating pea and macaroni salad as a kid.  My dad made it ALL the time!  He still makes it to this day.  Although, he does prefer to use a little bit of miracle whip in his to sweeten it up a bit.  I'm not a fan of miracle whip so I stick to the basic mayonnaise in my pea and macaroni salad. 

I'm not sure where the pea and macaroni salad started as I've never heard of anyone else ever eating it.  My assumption is that my dad started making it because it was so incredibly easy to make and hard to mess up. 

Tips for making Ninja Foodi Pea and Macaroni Salad:

1. Don't use frozen peas.  Frozen peas will add a lot of extra moisture to the pea and macaroni salad and it will become very watery. 

2. Refrigerate leftover pea and macaroni salad.  When you are ready to serve it, it may seem a little dry. This sometimes happens when the macaroni ends up absorbing the mayonnaise.  If this happens, just add an additional spoonful of mayonnaise.  

3. You can use whatever type of dried pasta that you would like.  The cooking time for the pasta may vary.  As a rule of thumb, you should cook the pasta based on this calculation:  Look at the box, take the recommended time and cut it half and then subtract 2.  For example, if the suggested cook time is 10 minutes, cut that in half to 5 and then subtract 2.  This will leave you with 3.  Cook for 3 minutes.

Looking for more recipes?  Check out some of our favorites!

• Ninja Foodi Potato Salad
• Ninja Foodi Pasta Salad
• Ninja Foodi ABC Green Beans
• Ninja Foodi Corn on the Cob
• Ninja Foodi Loaded Mashed Potatoes

Ingredients for making Ninja Foodi Pea and Macaroni Salad:

• 16 ounces dried macaroni-not cooked
• 1.5 cups mayonnaise
• 14.5 ounce can green peas-drained of all water
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon pepper
• 4 cups cold water

Directions to make Ninja Foodi Pea and Macaroni Salad:

1.Pour water into Ninja Foodi liner.

2.Pour in 1 pound of dried pasta a little salt- do not stir.  Instead, “push” the pasta down so that it is covered with the water as much as possible.

3.Close Ninja Foodi pressure cooking lid and move valve to "seal" position.

4.Pressure cook on high for 3 minutes.  As a rule of thumb, you should cook the pasta based on this calculation:  Look at the box, take the recommended time and cut it half and then subtract 2.  For example, if the suggested cook time is 10 minutes, cut that in half to 5 and then subtract 2.  This will leave you with 3.  Cook for 3 minutes.

5.Once timer beeps, quick release pressure and remove lid.

6.Rinse pasta and let cool.

7.Combine cooked macaroni, canned peas, mayonnaise, salt and pepper together in a large bowl.  Refrigerate and serve.

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