This macaroni salad is a classic side dish for a reason.
Elbow macaroni and a handful of ingredients are mixed together in a super easy (and extra creamy) flavorful dressing.
I love it for potlucks, picnics, or BBQs as it’s quick to make and is best made ahead of time.
A simple make-ahead page
Macaroni pasta holds a special place in my heart. I love macaroni and cheese and my mom always served the elbows with roulade sauce and of course this classic macaroni salad. I think the best macaroni salad recipe is an easy side dish that’s delicious, filling, and inexpensive. It goes with everything from burgers to fried chicken.
- You can (and should) make macaroni salad ahead of the times for the best taste.
- It is budget friendly and you probably have that ingredients at hand.
- It is Super fast to assemble and versatile (see notes below).
- The dressing used simple ingredients but it is extra creamy with lots of spice (and it only takes about 2 minutes).
- Use any short pasta or accompaniments to make your own recipe.
Ingredients for macaroni salad
For the best macaroni salad, add small pasta like elbows or ditalini, a creamy dressing, and a few ingredients for flavor and texture.
- Fresh and crisp – Celery, grated carrots, red peppers, fresh parsley or fresh dill
- Salty – Try adding cheese, bacon, ham, sliced olives or even capers.
- savory – Green or red onions, dill pickles, garlic powder, boiled eggs, chopped or grated cheddar.
- Sweet – Baby peas, sweet peppers, sweet cucumbers or additional cucumber relish.
Macaroni Salad Dressing
This macaroni salad dressing is a very simple mayonnaise-based dressing and only takes a few minutes to make.
- mayonnaise (or dressing) is the base of this dressing recipe. Substitute half the mayonnaise for Greek yogurt to loosen up the dressing.
- white wine vinegar or season with apple cider vinegar. You can also replace it with dill pickle juice if you like.
- Sweet cucumber relish and a sprinkling of sugar add sweetness to balance the vinegar. Sugar substitutes work well for this recipe, or you can substitute a dash of sweet pickle juice for sugar.
- Spices are kept simple and seasoned with a touch of prepared mustard or Dijon mustard and salt and pepper.
It’s sweet, tangy, and zesty; similar to a dressing found in potato salad or coleslaw. You can swap out your favorite cream dressing in this recipe, but bottled coleslaw dressing is a great option too.
How to make macaroni salad
As easy as 1,2,3…
- Cook pasta: Boil the macaroni, drain and let cool according to the recipe below.
- Prepare add-ins: While the macaroni is cooking, chop the veggies or side dishes.
- Mix and cool: Combine the ingredients for the dressing, mix with the macaroni and add.
Tips for perfection
- Elbows can be exchanged for any short noodles. Try ditalini, small mussels or wagon wheels.
- Make sure the sides are about the same size as the macaroni.
- Rinse the pasta after draining to keep it from cooking, mushy or sticky.
- Mix the dressing right in the salad bowl, then add the other ingredients—one less dish to wash up!
- Serve the salad generously, as the noodles will soak up some of the sauce as they stand.
Make ahead and leftovers
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What are your favorite add-ins? Leave a comment and rating below!
Classic creamy macaroni salad
This classic macaroni salad is creamy and flavorful. Elbow macaroni and a handful of ingredients in an easy homemade dressing.
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Cook the macaroni according to package directions. Drain well and rinse under cold water to stop cooking.
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To make the dressing, combine the mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, sweet relish, yellow mustard, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Mix well.
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In a large bowl, add the cooled macaroni, dressing, celery, carrots, red peppers, and onions. Mix well.
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Place the macaroni salad in the refrigerator for at least 1 to 2 hours before serving.
- Elbows can be exchanged for any short noodles. Try ditalini, small mussels or wagon wheels.
- Rinsing the pasta after draining keeps it from cooking so it doesn’t get mushy and doesn’t get sticky.
- The dressing can be swapped out for your choice of bottle dressing or even coleslaw dressing.
- Serve the salad generously, as the noodles will soak up some of the dressing as they stand.
- Make sure the sides are about the same size as the macaroni.
Calories: 432 | Carbohydrates: 37G | Protein: 6G | Fat: 29G | Saturated Fatty Acids: 4G | Polyunsaturated fat: 17G | Monounsaturated fatty acids: 6G | trans fats: 1G | Cholesterol: 16mg | Sodium: 408mg | Potassium: 214mg | Fiber: 2G | Sugar: 9G | Vitamin A: 2332IU | Vitamin C: 18mg | Calcium: 25mg | Iron: 1mg
Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary depending on cooking method and brand of ingredients used.
course Pasta, salad, side dish
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Unfortunately, it doesn’t freeze well.
Macaroni salad is best made ahead of time, so it’s perfect for parties. Leftovers can be kept in the refrigerator for up to four days.
We love serving up macaroni salad as a side to anything not grilled! Grilled chicken, hot dogs, or hamburgers are great options. It’s also great for serving with pulled pork.
