Easy Macaroni Salad has a creamy, tangy dressing tossed with vegetables, noodles and cheese. It's perfect for being an everyday side dish or taking to a potluck, BBQ or party.
In my house, this is an everyday side dish. My husband and I both had macaroni salad growing up, but from either a boxed pasta salad or from the deli section of the grocery store. This homemade version is so much better! If you have kids who don't like all veggies, it is still delicious with just the noodles and dressing.
Try some of our other favorite recipes, such as Twice Baked Potato Casserole, Bacon, Ranch, Pea Pasta Salad, or Chicken Tetrazzini.
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Ingredients for Homemade Macaroni Salad
- elbow macaroni
- red onion
- celery sticks
- red pepper
- hard boiled eggs
- cheddar cheese
- pickles - sweet or dill
- mayonnaise
- sweet or dill relish
- apple cider vinegar
- granulated sugar
- yellow or brown mustard
- salt
- pepper
- garlic powder
- dill weed
FAQs
Macaroni salad is a popular side dish made with cooked elbow macaroni pasta mixed with various ingredients such as vegetables, mayonnaise, and seasonings. It is typically served cold and is a common dish at picnics, barbecues, and potlucks.
Yes, macaroni salad can be made ahead of time. In fact, it often tastes better after the flavors have had time to meld. Prepare the salad, cover, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before serving.
se whole wheat or gluten-free pasta.
Substitute Greek yogurt or a mixture of Greek yogurt and mayonnaise for the dressing.
Add more vegetables like carrots, peas, or cherry tomatoes.
To keep macaroni salad from drying out, ensure the pasta is well-coated with dressing. If the salad seems dry after chilling, you can stir in a little more mayonnaise or a splash of milk to moisten it.
Grilled meats (chicken, steak, pork chops)
Burgers and hot dogs
Barbecue ribs
Fried chicken
Sandwiches
Top Tips
- Cook the noodles al-dente. Do not overcook or when the dressing soaks into the pasta, they wll become mushy.
- If you prefer green onions instead of red onions, feel free to substitute.
- I am using apple cider vinegar, but you can also substitute white vinegar or red wine vinegar.
- Refrigerate at least 1 hour before serving to let all the flavors meld.
- Macaroni salad will keep for up to 5 days in your refrigerator, in an airtight container. Stir before serving.
- This pasta salad is great for BBQs and potlucks but be careful leaving it out as the dressing does not keep well in the heat.
How to make the Best Macaroni Salad
- Cook noodles according to package instructions. Drain and rinse with cold water, to prevent sticking and overcooking. Drain well.
- In a large bowl, combine pasta, red peppers, onion, celery, pickles, hard boiled eggs, cheese. Combine well, then set aside to make your dressing.
- Gather the ingredients for dressing.
- In a medium bowl, whisk mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, sugar, mustard, salt, pepper, garlic powder, relish, and dill weed.
- Pour the dressing over pasta mixture and toss until well combined.
- Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour. Stir again before serving, then enjoy!
Easy Macaroni Salad Recipe
Ingredients
Macaroni Salad
- 16 oz. elbow macaroni
- ½ red onion, diced
- 3 celery stalks, thinly sliced
- 1 red pepper, diced
- 3-4 pickles (sweet or dill), diced
- 4 hard boiled eggs, chopped
- 6 oz cheddar cheese, cubed
Dressing
- 1 ½ cups mayonnaise
- 3 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 3 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoon yellow or brown mustard
- 2 tablespoon pickle relish
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon dill weed
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Cook noodles according to package instructions. Drain and rinse with cold water, to prevent sticking and overcooking. Drain well.
- In a large bowl, combine pasta, red peppers, onion, celery, pickles, hard boiled eggs, cheese. Combine well, set aside to make your dressing.
Macaroni Salad Dressing
- In a medium bowl, whisk mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, sugar, mustard, salt, pepper, garlic powder, relish and dill weed.
- Pour the dressing over pasta mixture and toss until well combined.
- Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour. Stir again before serving, then enjoy!
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