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    Home » Recipes » Salads » Macaroni Salad

    LAST UPDATED: June 12, 2020 • FIRST PUBLISHED: May 17, 2020 By Toni Dash 34 Comments

    Macaroni Salad

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    This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Macaroni Salad in a bowl and spoon title image

    Macaroni Salad is a ‘must make‘ for summer barbecues and picnics. This easy classic recipe is full of colorful vegetables, soft elbow pasta in a creamy, tangy sauce everyone loves!

    Macaroni Salad in a bowl and spoon title image
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    Macaroni Salad in a bowl and spoon title image

    Macaroni Salad and summer go hand in hand.

    It’s an easy chilled salad recipe bursting with beautiful colors and fantastic flavor.

    It goes with any main dish and can be made ahead (it’s actually BETTER made ahead)!

    This classic Macaroni Salad recipe will be a summer staple!

    What is Macaroni Salad?

    If by chance you escaped your childhood without ever trying Macaroni Salad, it’s a chilled pasta salad with elbow pasta, vegetables in a creamy mayonnaise sauce. 

    It’s one of those recipes most of use grew up with our Mom’s or Grandmother’s version being ‘the right way’ to make it.

    Every recipe offers a little change to make it unique and special. 

    This chilled salad recipe is classic salad recipe for summer grill parties, picnics and outings.

    Macaroni Salad in a serving bowl

    Recipe Ingredients

    Simple, wholesome, fresh macaroni salad ingredients make this recipe a family favorite:

    • Elbow macaroni (regular or gluten-free)
    • Celery stalks
    • Yellow bell pepper
    • Orange bell pepper
    • Grape tomatoes
    • Red onion

    For the dressing:

    • Mayonnaise
    • Sour cream
    • Apple cider vinegar
    • Granulated sugar
    • Dry mustard
    • Salt and pepper to taste

    colorful ingredients for Macaroni Salad and dressing

    Macaroni (Elbow Pasta) – Regular or Gluten-Free

    This macaroni salad recipe can be made with traditional elbow pasta or gluten-free pasta.

    My recommendation for gluten-free pasta is Tinkyada. It holds it’s shape and has good flavor. 

    Some gluten-free pastas fall apart easily after cooking and would not be a good choice for a macaroni salad.

    Substitutions

    If you can’t find orange or yellow bell peppers feel free to substitute what you can find. 

    Don’t love tomatoes? Though the sweet grape tomatoes add color and delicious flavor, feel free to leave them out.

    OR swap in a vegetable you love instead!.

    How to Make Macaroni Salad – Step-by-Step

    STEP 1: Cook the macaroni pasta per package instructions, drain and allow to cool (photo 1).

    Macaroni Salad recipes steps (photos) 1-4

    STEP 2: Combine the dressing ingredients: mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, sour cream, dry mustard, granulated sugar (photos 2-6). Mix well (photo 7).

    Macaroni Salad recipes steps (photos) 5-8

    STEP 3: Remove the onions from the vinegar. 

    STEP 4: Combine the pasta and vegetables in a large bowl (photo 8). Add 3/4’s of the dressing (photo 9) and mix well (photo 10). Chill in the refrigerator (along with the remaining 1/4 of the dressing not yet mixed into the macaroni salad) until ready to serve.

    Macaroni Salad recipes steps (photos) 9-12

    STEP 5: When ready to serve the salad, toss the remaining dressing (photos 11) and serve (photo 12).

    serving spoon of Macaroni Salad

    Pro Tips for Making Macaroni Salad

    Allow the cooked macaroni to fully cool

    Otherwise it will absorb the dressing leaving dry macaroni salad.

    Better Made Ahead

    This recipe is one that tastes even better if it’s allowed to sit after it is made.

    If possible make it in the morning and serve it later in the day; or even the day before serving.

    If you can’t do that it will still be delicious but making it ahead allows the dressing and salad ingredients to fully blend.

    Change it Up! This salad is very flexible

    If you want to change out the vegetables, do it! Try cucumber, broccoli, or other in season vegetables you love.

    Try the Dressing on other Salad Recipes

    You’ll love this dressing and want to use it on other salad, trust me. It’s great on Broccoli Salad or Cole Slaw too!

    Keep it Chilled!

    Salads with mayonnaise require extra care to not allow them to overheat.

    When left in the sun or heat, salmonella can develop risking food poisoning. 

    Do not let Macaroni Salad sit out more than 2 hours.

    This Party Dips post has some great tips to keep this salad cold when serving at an outdoor summer gathering. 

    Macaroni Salad close up

    How to Change up Macaroni Salad

    First Macaroni Salad is usually considered a side dish recipe.

    You can add some protein and make it a delicious chilled main dish. Easy for summer!

    Cubed Chicken, Ham, Shrimp or Tuna – adding protein makes a hearty main dish option.

    Hard Boiled Eggs – add chopped hard boiled eggs. Make sure they are cooled before adding them.

    Cubed Cheese – small cubes of cheddar cheese or even Pepper Jack cheese add great texture and flavor. You can even buy the cheese already cubed from the store!

    Peas – they bring color and a hint of sweetness to the salad. Use frozen, thawed peas!

    Different Pasta – though macaroni is the classic pasta used, feel free to change it up and use a different pasta you love! 

    Macaroni Salad in bowls

    How to Store Macaroni Salad

    Store the prepared salad 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator in an airtight container.

    Can I Freeze Macaroni Salad?

    It is not recommended to freeze this salad. Enjoy it freshly made instead!

    Macaroni Salad in a white serving bowl overhead

    Make it a Meal!

    Everything goes with Macaroni Salad making it a great choice for any meal! Here are some ideas:

    • Grilled Kabob Recipes
    • Grilled Spicy Salt and Pepper Shrimp Skewers
    • St. Louis Ribs
    • Oven Baked Chicken Breasts with Mexican flavors
    • Sweet Tea Roasted Chicken Thighs
    • Blue Margarita
    • Blondies

    More Salad Recipes You’ll Love

    • Bite-Size Insalata Caprese
    • Grill-Smoked Creamy Potato Salad with Bacon
    • Broccoli Sausage Pasta Salad
    • Rainbow Summer Quinoa Salad
    • Chicken Salad
    • Italian Pasta Salad
    • Chickpea Salad
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    Recipe

    macaroni salad

    Classic Macaroni Salad

    Macaroni Salad is a summertime favorite recipe. This version is full of colorful vegetables, elbow pasta (regular or gluten-free) tossed in a creamy, tangy dressing you'll love!
    5 from 66 votes
    Print Save Recipe Recipe Saved! Pin Rate
    Course: Salad, Side Dish
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 2 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Chilling Time (estimate): 30 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 42 minutes minutes
    Servings: 8 8-10 servings
    Calories: 259kcal
    Author: Toni Dash
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    • 2 cups Elbow Macaroni regular or gluten-free
    • 2 stalks Celery chopped
    • 1 Yellow Bell Pepper seeded and chopped
    • 1 Orange Bell Pepper seeded and chopped
    • 1 cup Grape Tomatoes halved
    • ¼ cup Red Onion minced and soaked in apple cider vinegar for 5 minutes
    • apple cider vinegar for soaking the onions

    For the dressing:

    • ½ cup Mayonnaise
    • ¼ cup Sour Cream
    • 1 tablespoon Apple Cider Vinegar
    • 2 teaspoons Granulated Sugar
    • ½ teaspoon Dry Mustard
    • Salt and pepper to taste

    Instructions

    • Cook the elbow macaroni according to package directions, drain and allow to cool completely.
    • In a bowl or measuring cup, add all the dressing ingredients: mayonnaise, sour cream, 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, granulated sugar and dry mustard. Stir to combine.
    • Drain the red onion of the vinegar.
    • In a large bowl, combine the cooled macaroni pasta with the vegetables. Pour 3/4ths of the dressing over and stir to combine (reserve the remaining 1/4 of the dressing).
      Refrigerate the salad and the remaining dressing (separately) until ready to serve.
    • Before serving toss with the rest of the dressing into the macaroni salad to freshen it up. Salt and pepper to taste before serving.

    Notes

    • This recipe is better when it sits for a few hours. I like to make it the morning I will be serving it.
    • Be sure to allow your pasta to cool all the way or it will soak up the dressing leaving you with dry macaroni salad. 
    • I will often use up whatever vegetables on hand in my refrigerator, cucumber, broccoli etc.
    • The dressing is good on broccoli salad and coleslaw as well.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 259kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 10mg | Sodium: 107mg | Potassium: 229mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 749IU | Vitamin C: 50mg | Calcium: 23mg | Iron: 1mg
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    Did you make this recipe?Mention @boulderlocavore or tag #boulderlocavore!
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Beth Pierce says

      May 18, 2020 at 3:01 pm

      5 stars
      I made this to go along with dinner the other night. It was so delicious and flavor filled. My family loved it! Thanks!

      Reply
    2. Jennifer says

      May 18, 2020 at 1:34 pm

      5 stars
      This looks so good! Macaroni salad is one of my favorite summertime sides. It’s so good with everything.

      Reply
    3. Tara Pittman says

      May 18, 2020 at 12:29 pm

      This salad sounds so yummy. I need to make it for dinner tonight

      Reply
    4. wilhelmina says

      May 18, 2020 at 11:34 am

      5 stars
      Can it even be summer without macaroni salad? We seem to add it to the menu every time we cookout. I love this version, classic and delicious!

      Reply
    5. Rog Willis says

      May 18, 2020 at 11:06 am

      We’re hoping to be able to host Father’s Day at our house when it’s done being built. I would love to serve this delicious Mac salad!

      Reply
    6. Eden says

      May 18, 2020 at 10:32 am

      5 stars
      The best macaroni salad!! Full of flavor and we all loved it!

      Reply
    7. Kara says

      May 18, 2020 at 8:26 am

      5 stars
      Macaroni salad is definitely a must for summer picnics and potlucks! I love the addition of the halved grape tomatoes. So yummy!

      Reply
    8. Heather Seeley says

      May 18, 2020 at 8:24 am

      This is one of my favorite things to make during the summer! Love the dressing on it!

      Reply
    9. Lauren Kelly says

      May 18, 2020 at 6:09 am

      5 stars
      You are right, this is an absolute must make every summer! I love this!

      Reply
    10. Ave Rellok says

      May 17, 2020 at 10:55 pm

      Hi Toni,

      Thank you for all these delicious recepies. Me and my family like them very much.

      Some of the recepies have mayonnaise as an ingredient. My family an I are not fans of mayonnaise. Could you advice how to substitute mayonnaise?
      Thank you, stay safe.
      Greetings from Germany
      Ave

      Reply
      • Toni Dash says

        May 17, 2020 at 11:24 pm

        Hi Ave. Could you tell me what it is about mayonnaise you don’t care for? That would help me make a suggestion. Mayonnaise is a core ingredient for classic Macaroni Salad but I can try to make a suggestion when I better understand your situation.

        Reply
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    Welcome! I’m Toni Dash. I’m a Certified Nutrition Coach and the professional writer/blogger, photographer, recipe developer and creator of Boulder Locavore®. I’m so glad you are here!

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