You really don’t need an occasion to plan a backyard barbecue party, however you can use a graduation party, summer birthday or a summer holiday as an excuse to throw a backyard party. Having your friends and family over for a summer afternoon of fun and wonderful food has become a tradition to most families.

Once the weather starts to warm up, I’m all for outdoor grilling and those delicious summer salads that go with it. They are the perfect side dish to any backyard barbecue or a midday snack for some family members.

With the weather as nice as it’s been, I couldn’t wait till summer to start making these salads. Here are two of my family’s favorite summer salads on our menu this week. Bon Appetit!

Macaroni Salad 

• 1 pound salad macaroni, small macaroni, or shell pasta, cooked according to package directions and cooled
• 1 cup mayonnaise (I prefer Best Foods Light or Raley’s Brand Light )
• 1 cup chopped celery
• 1/2 cup chopped red onion
• 1/2 cup Cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 Tablespoon Homemade Ranch Dressing Mix (recipe coming soon)
• 1 Tablespoon spicy brown mustard
• 1/4 cup bacon bits (optional)
• salt and pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients in large mixing bowl. Add more mayonnaise if it seems too dry. Serve chilled.

Potato Salad

• 6 russet potatoes, cubed, boiled until tender, and drained well
• 6 hard boiled eggs, peeled and chopped
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1/2 cup chopped celery
• 1/2 cup chopped red onion
• 1 teaspoon dried dill weed
• 1 Tablespoon Homemade Ranch Dressing Mix (recipe coming soon)
• 1 teaspoon spicy brown mustard
• 1/2 cup chopped dill pickles
• salt and pepper to taste

In large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients. Adjust seasonings and mayo to taste. Serve chilled.