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There’s a reason this Classic Macaroni Salad always shows up at cookouts and family gatherings—it’s just that good. With tender pasta, crunchy veggies, and a creamy, tangy dressing with just a touch of sweetness, every bite is pure comfort. This recipe shares all the secrets to making the perfect version that easily outshines anything store-bought—and it only gets better after a chill in the fridge!
It’s hard to beat Classic Macaroni Salad
Macaroni salad has earned its place as a backyard barbecue staple! And for good reason. It’s got that perfect combo of textures and flavors with soft, chewy pasta mixed with crunchy fresh veggies that keep things interesting. The dressing is definitely where the magic happens, though. It’s creamy and tangy with just a hint of sweetness that makes you keep coming back for more!
What I love most is how it goes with practically anything—burgers, chicken, ribs, you name it. Plus, it actually tastes better after hanging out in the fridge for a bit, making it a great make-ahead dish when you’ve got other things to prepare!
What Makes this The Best Macaroni Salad Recipe:
- It’s incredibly easy to make (hello, less stress!), requiring just basic chopping skills and simple ingredients you likely already have on hand!
- This salad is refreshing and satisfying to eat, with the perfect balance of creamy dressing and crisp vegetables.
- The homemade dressing is creamy and dreamy, with just the right amount of tanginess!
- Everyone loves it—even picky eaters come back for seconds!
Nikki’s Recipe Rundown
- Taste: Creamy, tangy dressing with crisp vegetables and tender pasta have all the comfort food flavors!
- Texture: Each bite has a combination of soft elbow macaroni with crunchy vegetables for plenty of contrast.
- Ease: The process is simple, straightforward, and foolproof. Just boil the pasta, chop the veggies, mix the dressing, and chill!
- Pros: Make-ahead friendly, customizable with add-ins, and pairs with practically everything!
- Considerations: It needs time to chill for the best flavor possible.
Homemade Macaroni Salad ingredients
- Elbow Macaroni: The classic pasta choice for macaroni salad—its small size and shape hold the dressing perfectly.
- Red Onion: Adds a sharp flavor and beautiful color contrast.
- Celery: Provides essential crunch and a fresh, clean flavor that lightens the creamy dressing.
- Green Bell Pepper: Contributes sweet crunch and vibrant color to brighten the salad.
- Pimentos: These sweet red peppers add bright color pops and a subtle sweetness (optional but recommended).
For the Dressing
- Mayo: Forms the creamy base of the dressing—use good quality for the best flavor!
- Yellow Mustard: Adds tanginess and depth to the dressing.
- White Wine Vinegar: Provides acidity to balance the rich mayo.
- Granulated Sugar: Just a touch sweetens the dressing slightly!
- Spices: To add extra savory flavor to the dressing, add some garlic powder, onion powder, salt & pepper!
How To Make the Best Macaroni Salad
✱ Be sure to see the recipe card below for exact ingredients and full recipe instructions!
Step 1 | Cook the Pasta
In a large pot, cook the elbow macaroni in salted water according to the instructions on the package. Do not overcook. Drain well and rinse it under cold water to stop cooking.
Step 2 | Make the Dressing
In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, mustard, vinegar, sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
Step 3 | Combine & Chill
In a large bowl, add the cooled macaroni, onion, celery, bell pepper, and pimentos (if using).
Pour the dressing over and toss well to combine (if you’d like, you can start with half of the dressing to see how much you’d like to add. Reserve the rest to toss in just before serving). Taste and add additional salt and pepper if desired.
Refrigerate the macaroni salad for 1- 2 hours before serving or overnight.
Recipe Tips
- Cook the pasta just until al dente—slightly firm to the bite. Overcooked pasta will become mushy in the salad!
- Rinse the pasta thoroughly under cold water after cooking to stop the cooking process and remove excess starch.
- Chill the salad for at least 1-2 hours before serving to allow flavors to develop and meld. Plus, it is best served cold!
- Reserve some of the dressing to add just before serving to refresh the salad if needed. Especially if you are making it ahead of time, you will need to add extra dressing before serving!
Variations and Substitutions
- Pasta: Rotini, small shells, or ditalini can replace elbow macaroni pasta if desired!
- Red Onion: Green onions or shallots are both substitute options that have a milder onion flavor.
- Bell Pepper: Red, yellow, or orange bell peppers add different colors and slightly sweeter flavors.
- Mayonnaise: Light mayo works for a lighter version, or substitute half with Greek yogurt for tanginess.
- White Wine Vinegar: Apple cider vinegar or rice vinegar can be used instead.
- Add-ins: Hard-boiled eggs, diced ham, shredded carrots, or frozen peas make great optional additions.
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FAQs for this Recipe for Macaroni Salad
Yes! It actually improves with time as the flavors meld. Make it up to 24 hours in advance, but be sure to save some dressing separately in the fridge too, and mix it together before serving!
Yes, absolutely! Rinsing the cooked pasta under cold water will stop the cooking process immediately to prevent mushy pasta, and it removes excess starch that would otherwise make your salad gummy.
Vinegar provides essential acidity that balances the richness of the mayonnaise-based dressing. Without it, the salad would taste flat and one-dimensional. The tanginess cuts through the creaminess, brightens all the flavors, and gives the salad that classic “deli-style” taste that makes it so addictive.
The two secrets to preventing dry macaroni salad are to slightly undercook the pasta (as it will continue to absorb moisture), and reserve about ¼ cup of the dressing to add just before serving.
Storing leftover Classic Macaroni Salad
How long does macaroni salad last in the fridge?
Store in an airtight container for 3-5 days. The salad may absorb some of the dressing as it sits, so you might want to add a little extra mayo before serving leftovers.
Can you freeze macaroni salad?
Unfortunately, it does not freeze well. The mayo-based dressing will separate, and the vegetables will become mushy when thawed. It’s best enjoyed fresh or within a few days of making.
What to serve with this Simple Macaroni Salad Recipe
This simple macaroni salad pairs beautifully with honey chipotle BBQ wings, offering a cool, creamy contrast to their spicy kick. For a classic summer meal, serve alongside juicy air fryer burgers or air fryer hot dogs topped with chili sauce.
If you need a more substantial spread, pair it with tender baby back ribs or beef brisket! It’s also an amazing potluck option since it travels well, making it great for feeding a crowd!
Other Recipes to Try
- Pea Salad
- Southern Potato Salad
- Pasta Salad with Artichokes
- Caesar Salad with Homemade Croutons
- Chicken Salad with Grapes
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BEST Macaroni Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound elbow macaroni
- ½ cup diced red onion, optional or to taste
- ¾ cup diced celery
- ¾ cup diced green bell pepper
- 4 ounce jar diced pimentos, well drained (optional)
Dressing
- 1 to 1 ¼ cup Mayo, start with 1 cup and add more if you like
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 3 tablespoons white wine vinegar
- 2 teaspoons white granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- In a large pot, cook the elbow macaroni in salted water according to the instructions on the package. Do not overcook. Drain well and rinse it under cold water to stop cooking.
- In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, mustard, vinegar, sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
- In a large bowl, add the cooled macaroni, onion, celery, bell pepper, and pimentos (if using). Pour the dressing over and toss well to combine (if you’d like you can start with half of the dressing to see how much you’d like to add. Reserve the rest to toss in just before serving) Taste and add additional salt and pepper if desired.
- Refrigerate the macaroni salad for 1- 2 hours before serving or overnight.
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Notes
Nutrition Information
Nutritional Disclaimer
Soulfully Made is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.
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