I’m always on the lookout for a new salad, especially if it has macaroni in it. This three bean macaroni salad is somewhat similar to our popular peas and pasta salad. It has a nice creamy dressing and a nice crunch thanks to onion and bell pepper. The addition of dill really makes the dressing even better. And oh, the dressing. Delicious.
I gotta admit that beans in a macaroni salad is not something I’d ever considered really. I’m more used to typing ‘three-cheese-macaroni’ salad. Or something like that. But beans? Well, yeah… actually. I’m a big fan of them now. I love bean salad. I love macaroni salad. The rest should’ve been more obvious to me all of these years!

Cheese Is Optional
I can see adding cubed pepper jack cheese to this three bean macaroni salad to really take it over the top. So I included it in the recipe, though I didn’t make it with the cheese. I trust my judgement on this one.
I almost always use Blue Plate mayonnaise in the dishes I make. I think it is the best around. If you can’t find it locally you can pick it up online for a fair price.
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Da Beans
You really can use any canned beans you want in this salad. Just rinse them first. And drain them well. I like mixing it up, but I have to admit that you’ll always find at least one color of kidney beans in my version of this salad. I love them. And I really love them cold!
Da Mac
I went with your standard elbow mac. Pretty much a must-do in a pasta salad. But more and more, I find myself leaning towards cavatappi in these dishes. It has an advantage over your standard noodles. It traps the good stuff. The sauce. The seasonings. Try it!
Also try my regular-ole-macaroni salad. Classic flavor in every bite.

Three Bean Macaroni Salad
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup pasta
- 15 ½ ounces cut green beans drained
- 15 ½ ounces kidney beans rinsed, drained
- 15 ½ ounces Great Northern beans rinsed, drained
- 1 green bell pepper chopped
- ¾ cup red onion chopped
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup Italian salad dressing
- 1 teaspoon dried dill
- 8 ounces Pepper Jack cheese cubed
Instructions
- Cook pasta per package instructions. Drain well and let cool.
- Place all of the beans, the bell pepper and onion in a large bowl and mix.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise and Italian dressing.
- Pour dressing over vegetables and stir to combine.
- Add in the pasta and the dill and stir until the pasta is well coated.
- Add cheese and stir gently.
- Serve cold or at room temperature.
Notes
Nutrition
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