BBQ Macaroni Salad with Pork or Chicken (optional)

I've really been enjoying these different flavored pasta salads recently and this BBQ Macaroni Salad with Pork (or Chicken) was a great meal! I used the Neely's recipe as a guideline and just made a bowl for lunch, it was an excellent use for a couple ounces of leftover pork tenderloin, but you could leave the protein out if desired and call it a side dish. Actually leftover BBQ chicken would really be good in this, might just have to toss a couple extra legs on the grill this weekend:@)

I felt celery seed was the only thing missing from the ingredient list, I'd add some the next time.

BBQ Macaroni Salad with Pork or Chicken-adapted from FoodNetwork.com
2 Tblsp cider vinegar
1 tsp hot sauce
1/2 tsp chili powder
1/8 tsp garlic powder
pinch cayenne-I did not use this
1 C mayonnaise
1/2 C BBQ sauce-I used Sweet Baby Ray's
1 lb pasta, cooked, cooled with cold water and drained well-I used half whole wheat pasta
1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped-I had green, any pepper would be good
2 ribs celery, sliced
2 whole scallions, sliced-I chopped some onion
8 oz pulled pork-I used cubed leftover tenderloin
S&P to taste
a few shakes of celery seed-optional but my recommendation
parsley, chopped for garnish-I didn't have any

1. Mix all the sauce ingredients in a big bowl.
2. Add the pasta and veggies, mix well. Garnish top with parsley if using.
3. The Neely's serve the pork on top of the salad, I mixed mine into the salad.
4. I chose to serve mine on a bed of lettuce, that was nice too.

Other flavorful options:

1. Ham and Dill Macaroni Salad  2. Deviled Egg Macaroni Salad

3. Macaroni Tuna Salad  4. Buffalo Chicken Macaroni Salad

Eat well and have a happy day:@)

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