Macaroni Salad Recipe (2024)

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by Stephanie on July 19, 2022 (Updated March 26, 2024)18*This post may contain affiliate links. Read more »

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This classic Macaroni Salad recipe is easy to make and has the best dressing! This a perfect summer side dish for BBQ’s and Potlucks. Add-on options include ham, tuna, hard boiled eggs, and more!

Be sure to try my Italian Pasta Salad recipe next!

Macaroni Salad

When it comes to summer recipes, classic macaroni salad is a must. It’s an easy make-ahead recipe, and there are endless add-on options! (See my suggestions below for ideas!)

This is a perfect side dish recipe for BBQ’s, Potlucks, or just to have in the fridge for on-and-off snacking during the hot summer months!

About the Dressing

This dressing has the best flavor profile, with flavors that compliment each other perfectly. The base of the dressing is mayo, followed by sour cream and sweet relish which adds a little tang. Apple cider vinegar gives it some zing, and Dijon mustard is a perfect flavor enhancer. Honey adds a nice offset to the acidic components, and garlic salt and pepper are the best simple seasonings to finish with.

The Veggies

The veggies used in this recipe not only add a pop of color, but they add little crunch as well. Included here are celery, bell peppers, carrots, and red onions.

How to Make It

See recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.

Combine dressing ingredients and set in the fridge to chill.
Boil macaroni in salted water until just al dente and rinse with cold water. Drain well.
Combine pasta, celery, bell peppers, carrots, onions,and toss with the dressing.
Transfer to a clean serving dish and chill for 1-2 hours (or up to overnight), prior to serving.
Garnish with paprika and green onions and serve!

Add-Ons

Optional add-ons include: Hard boiled eggs, pepperoni, olives, peas, sharp cheddar (cubed or shredded), chopped bacon, diced ham, diced pickles, and tuna.

Pro Tips
Stir the macaroni periodically as it cooks, to ensure it doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pot or to each other.
Other short pastas may be used, as well, including small shells, farfalle, and ditalini.
Be sure to check out my other pasta salad recipes here, and try my easy potato salad and egg salad recipes next!

Make-Ahead Method

This can be made 1-day ahead of time.
I would consider making a half portion of additional dressing, as the pasta absorbs the dressing as it sits. You can add the additional dressing prior just before serving, or right when you make it.

Storage

Store in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days.

Tools For This Recipe
(Amazon affiliate links)- Check out all of my kitchen essentials here.
Colander– For draining the pasta. This is the one I have!
Large glass serving bowl– I love having these 3 to pick from based on what I’m serving.
Silicone Spatula– Makes it easy to gently combine the ingredients.

Try These Next

: Italian Pasta Salad

: Chinese Chicken Salad

: Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad

: Chicken Noodle Stir Fry

: Egg Roll in a Bowl

: Tortellini Pasta Salad

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Macaroni Salad Recipe

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 7 minutes minutes

Chill Time: 1 hour hour

Total Time: 1 hour hour 22 minutes minutes

5 from 8 ratings

Servings: 12 people

Tap or hover to scale

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This classic Macaroni Salad recipe is easy to make and has the best dressing. Add-on options include ham, tuna, hard boiled eggs, and more!

Ingredients

US Customary - Metric

Salad

▢ 1 lb. macaroni
▢ 2 ribs celery, diced
▢ 1 Bell pepper, I use ½ green and ½ red
▢ 1/2 cup carrots, julienned
▢ 1/3 cup diced red onions

Dressing

▢ ¾ cup Mayonnaise, I use Hellman's
▢ ¼ cup sour cream
▢ 2 tablespoons honey, can sub sugar
▢ 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, can sub white or red wine vinegar
▢ 3 tablespoons Dijon mustard, can sub yellow mustard
▢ 3 tablespoons sweet relish
▢ 1 teaspoon garlic salt
▢ ½ teaspoon pepper

Garnishes

▢ Paprika
▢ Green onions

Instructions

Combine dressing ingredients and set in the fridge to chill.
Boil macaroni in salted water until just al dente, about 7-8 minutes (verify time on package).
While the pasta cooks, prepare the celery, peppers, carrots, and onions.
Drain and rinse the macaroni with cold water until the water on the bottom of the colander comes through cold. Drain as much of the water as possible, (I lay my macaroni on a dry dish towel).
Add the pasta and the dressing to a large bowl. Use a silicone spatula to gently stir until evenly combined. Add vegetables and stir to combine. Transfer to a clean serving dish.
Cover and refrigerate 1-2 hours, or up to overnight. The pasta will absorb more of the dressing during this time. (See notes for pro tips on making this ahead of time.)
Garnish with green onions and paprika and serve!

Notes

Make-Ahead Method:

This can be made 1-day ahead of time.
Consider making a half portion of additional dressing, as the pasta absorbs the dressing as it sits. You can add the additional dressing prior just before serving, or right when you make it.

Add-on Options:

Optional add-ons include: Hard boiled eggs, pepperoni, olives, peas, sharp cheddar (cubed or shredded), chopped bacon, diced ham, diced pickles, and tuna.

Storage:

Store in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days.

Nutritional information is an estimate and is per serving. This recipe makes 12 servings.

Nutrition

Calories: 270kcal, Carbohydrates: 35g, Protein: 6g, Fat: 12g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g, Monounsaturated Fat: 3g, Trans Fat: 0.03g, Cholesterol: 9mg, Sodium: 363mg, Potassium: 151mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 6g, Vitamin A: 1292IU, Vitamin C: 13mg, Calcium: 21mg, Iron: 1mg

Did you try this recipe?Mention @TheCozyCook on Instagram or tag #thecozycook!

Course: Pasta, Salad, Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Author: Stephanie

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posted by Stephanie on July 19, 2022 — 18 Comments »

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18 comments on “Macaroni Salad Recipe”

Holly — August 3, 2023 @ 6:57 pm Reply

I’ve made this twice now! I added salami and left out the peppers and carrots. Love the dressing!!
This is the perfect meal for Texas heat.
Thank you!
- Stephanie — August 3, 2023 @ 9:16 pm Reply
  
  Adding salami is such a cool idea! I’m so glad you’re enjoying this one holly, stay cool and thanks for the great review💖
April — July 5, 2023 @ 9:48 am Reply

Delicious!!! Fourth of July family favorite🧨
- Stephanie — July 5, 2023 @ 3:52 pm Reply
  
  That’s GREAT news April, thank you so so much for taking the time to leave this review, you made my day! 🙂 -Stephanie
Rachel — June 28, 2023 @ 3:33 pm Reply

Easy and delicious! Made the pasta salad for a party and have been asked by a few people for the recipe. Highly recommend!
- Stephanie — June 28, 2023 @ 4:11 pm Reply
  
  I’m so happy to hear that Rachel!! I love that others asked for the recipe, what a compliment, thank you so much for taking the time to share and leave a review!! 🙂 -Stephanie
Sandy Freese — June 5, 2023 @ 3:02 pm Reply

Wonderful pasta salad. I added a few peas to mine. Ty
- Stephanie — June 5, 2023 @ 3:30 pm Reply
  
  That’s so great Sandy, I’m soo happy that you liked it, thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review!! -Stephanie
Heather — May 28, 2023 @ 11:13 am Reply

The salad was so simple to make and delicious! I didn’t have relish but used chopped up dill pickle instead, so good!
- Stephanie — May 29, 2023 @ 10:11 am Reply
  
  I’m so happy that you loved it Heather!!! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review! I love that you used a chopped up dill pickle-YUM!!!
Susan — May 27, 2023 @ 9:19 am Reply

I love wickles relish! Honey was something new to try. Great recipe.
- Stephanie — May 27, 2023 @ 10:20 am Reply
  
  Wickles relish! I’ll have to give that a try!! 🙂
Bluefrogy — August 11, 2022 @ 6:43 pm Reply

Omg! The dressing it’s amazing! Such a quick and delicious summer salad!
- Stephanie — August 11, 2022 @ 9:24 pm Reply
  
  Yayyy, that makes me so happy! Thanks so much for the great comments and for taking the time to leave a review!💖
Darla J. — August 1, 2022 @ 3:10 pm Reply

This is a VERY tasty summer salad. I like that you used a combination of ingredients for the dressing and not just straight up mayo like a lot of other macaroni salad recipes. All the different flavors come together perfectly and before I could blink, the bowl was empty at our family BBQ. I followed your tip and added a little bacon to mine because bacon makes everything better!!!! This will be a regular summer favorite in my house because we grill a lot and this goes perfectly with everything. Thank you so much!
- Stephanie — August 1, 2022 @ 8:39 pm Reply
  
  I agree, bacon does make everything better Darla! I’m so happy this was a hit at your family bbq Darla! Thanks so much for the great review!💗
Carolyn Pulleyn — July 27, 2022 @ 8:36 pm Reply

I also make macaroni salad like you do but my add in is pineapple chunks. It’s a refreshing bite.
- Stephanie — July 27, 2022 @ 9:28 pm Reply
  
  Wow I love that idea! I’m definitely trying that, thank you!😋