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Review RecipeThe Only Macaroni Salad Recipe You’ll Ever Need
This classic elbow macaroni pasta salad side dish combines tender pasta, a quick homemade creamy dressing, and fresh, crunchy veggies.
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There are summer side dishes that just never go out of style—and macaroni salad is one of them. It’s the bowl that gets scraped clean at potlucks, picnics, and family barbecues. This version leans creamy, tangy, and just a little sweet, with a dressing that clings to every noodle.
We’ve tested more versions of macaroni salad than I’d like to admit, and this one hits all the right notes: creamy but not heavy, tangy with a touch of sweetness, and balanced so you keep going back for just one more spoonful.
Best Macaroni Salad Ingredients
For The Dressing
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
- 1 ½ tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Mix-ins like eggs, red onion, celery, red pepper, carrots, or peas are optional—but highly encouraged.
Pasta Substitution
If you don’t have elbow macaroni on hand, feel free to use other short pasta shapes such as penne, rotini, or fusilli. These pasta shapes will work just as well and provide a different texture to the salad.
Make-Ahead and Storage
Make ahead: Assemble up to 24 hours in advance. The flavor deepens as it chills.
Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container up to four days.
Not freezer-friendly: The creamy dressing won’t hold up to freezing.
Serving Ideas
This macaroni salad works for almost any occasion:
- Holiday buffets alongside turkey or ham roast
- Work lunches with sandwiches or wraps
- Comfort-food dinners with meatloaf or fried chicken
- Casual potlucks and family dinners, any time of year
4 Steps To The Best Elbow Macaroni Salad
- Cook macaroni just past al dente so it can soak up all that dressing goodness. Drain and rinse.
- Whip up the dressing – mayonnaise, relish, Dijon, vinegar, sugar, garlic powder, and pepper.
- Toss the cooled pasta and your favorite chopped veggies into the dressing until everything is glossy and coated.
- Cover and chill at least an hour. This is the part where the flavors get acquainted.
Expert Tips
- Don’t skimp on the salt in your pasta water. It’s the difference between bland noodles and a salad people actually remember.
- Rinse the pasta. Normally it’s a pasta crime, but here it’s the move—it keeps the salad creamy instead of gummy.
- Tiny veggie dice. Nobody wants a forkful of just raw onion. Keep those pieces small so every bite is balanced.
More Pasta Salad Recipes
- Pesto Pasto Salad
- Loaded Pasta Salad
- Dill Pickle Pasta Salad
- BLT Pasta Salad
- Salad Supreme Pasta Salad
Best Macaroni Salad Recipe with Mayo
This classic elbow macaroni pasta salad side dish combines tender pasta, a quick homemade creamy dressing, and fresh, crunchy veggies.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings 8
Ingredients
Dressing
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
- 1 ½ tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon salt, plus additional for boiling the pasta according to package
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Macaroni Salad
- 12 ounces elbow macaroni noodles, about ¾ of a 16-ounce box
- ½ cup red bell pepper, diced ½ inch (from ½ large pepper)
- ½ cup celery, sliced ¼ inch thick (from 1-2 large stalks)
- ⅓ cup red onion, diced ¼ inch (from ½ medium onion)
- ¼ cup carrot, finely shredded (from 1 large carrot)
- 1 large hard-boiled egg, finely chopped
Instructions
- Whisk together the mayonnaise, sweet pickle relish, granulated sugar, dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, salt, garlic powder, and black pepper until smooth in a medium bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and set aside while preparing the macaroni salad ingredients.
- To a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the elbow macaroni noodles for 9-11 minutes or just until al dente. Drain then rinse with cold water to stop the cooking of the noodles.
- To a large mixing bowl add the rinsed elbow macaroni noodles, red bell pepper, celery, red onion, carrot and hard-boiled egg.
- Pour the dressing into the bowl and gently toss to combine all the ingredients and evenly coat with the dressing. You can reserve ¼ cup of the dressing to stir in after refrigeration if needed to restore creaminess to the macaroni salad before serving.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 1 hour to allow the flavors to blend and the salad to chill slightly before serving.
- When ready to serve, stir in any reserved dressing (if needed) prior to transferring to a serving bowl.
Video
Notes
- The dressing can be made up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerated in a covered container prior to use in the recipe for easy preparation.
- White vinegar can be substituted for the apple cider vinegar in the dressing. If making this substitute, you may want to add an additional 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar to balance the flavors.
- You can purchase hard boiled eggs from your local deli or make them up to 3 days in advance of using them in this recipe.
- The hard-boiled egg can be omitted or doubled based on personal preference, especially if you’re serving someone who prefers it egg-free.
Nutrition
Calories: 293kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 13g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 35mg | Sodium: 538mg | Potassium: 101mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 1088IU | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 17mg | Iron: 1mg
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Comments
BOB JOHNSON says
Can you email me macaroni recipe?
Thx
Geri Sonnenberg says
how big is the box of macaroni?
Sue C says
Yes how big of a box of macaroni is it please? A size would be helpful.
Thanks
Sue C
Layne Kangas says
I used a one-pound box!
Michele says
Love the combination of veggies and the dressing recipe you have for this macaroni salad! I’m pinning and making!
treena says
Macaroni salad is one of my favorites and this recipe definitely did not disappoint.
kitchens city says
My family is in love with this dish and I love how easy it is!!!!
Laura says
Outstanding recipe! This turned out so well that my mother said, “This is HOLIDAY good, you must make it for everyone!” This recipe is saved on my Favorites board and will delight many people in the future. Thank you for sharing!
Andrea says
I love macaroni salad! I love to try different types of pasta when I make it. I like cavatappi pasta! I can’t wait to try this recipe!
Thank you
Jerry Earl says
Yes I would try a different shape pasta also would try with hot off the grill chicken wings mmmm
Laura Nott says
Some finely chopped mint in this recipe is also amazing and brings colour with a splash of flavors
Michelle says
This would go with any potluck or BBQ. Can’t wait til try it!
Connie Hughes says
Love this. I think I would serve this with butter garlic steak tips
Caroline B says
This looks super yummy. Mum used to make something very similar with spiral pasta. Going to have to make some now <3
Amanda Greer says
I would try a different pasta. I think I would like it spicy but I think my husband will disagree 😉. No salad for us my husband love homemade garlic cheesy bread. I also think I might add some chickpeas.
Heather Swank says
This looks so good! I can’t think of a thing I would change or add, so I’ll try this recipe exactly as-is! I would serve it with marinated grilled chicken, a green vegetable, and biscuits. Yum!
Jolayne says
I would use baby seashells
Lisa Woolison says
I think I would add some cauliflower to this recipe. Sounds amazing!
jim says
the sour cream would be the kicker never had it that way it would add a nice flavor to it
Brenda Newman says
Wagon wheel pasta for summer bar b que
Laura Palmer says
This is almost exactly my Mama’s macaroni salad recipe! It is so creamy and delicious! I wouldn’t change a thing!
Jim Hess says
Great recipe!
I would add about a cup of diced dill pickles and a cup o pepperoni.
Jim
Charlotte says
Easy, fast, and delicious this is our new family favorite way to make macaroni salad. We enjoy bacon as an add in.
Michelle Fraser says
This salad is amazing! If I’m gonna be honest I wouldn’t change a thing about it! Always best the next day, but if u can’t wait let it rest at least couple hrs! This is good all by itself & amazing w any meat also!! My family absolutely loves this!! Ty
Janice says
Yes- next time I would make the sauce a little spicy!
Stacy Scott says
Love this! I will definitely add cucumber next time! Thank you for another great recipe!
Joanie says
Delicious but I like use shells instead of elbows and I’d add in a bit of dill and tuna fish.
Sherri Steinman says
I would serve this salad with hotdogs and hamburgers.
Melinda Stokes says
I would use whatever shape pasta is in the pantry if I wanted to make this.
Mary Bailey says
Nice easy recipe, I use whatever veggies I have out of the garden or fridge at the time. Good way to get kids to eat the veggies.
Debbie Smith says
I would use bow tie pasta and add cubed ham.
Elizabeth M Heimlich says
I would definitely add peas to this salad- I can’t remember the last time I made a macaroni salad without them!
Belle says
I would add radishes..mmm
Judy Pasqualone says
Sounds good! I like to use medium shells and add large chunks of old bay steamed shrimp with additional old bay when mixing. Season but not too much to avoid being too salty. People love it.
Stacey Burdine says
I always use corkscrew pasta, it holds the dressing well and looks great on the plate!
Marlene Tamblyn says
Great with a big juicy burger.
Lori Pennington says
I make pasta salad usually for our Sunday dinners and I put peas and carrots in it I serve it with a meat and usually mashed potatoes it is so good…….
France says
All my family loves this recipe, it was a big deal here, so thanks a lot!
I made it with a different pasta: Scoobydoo
I add another veggie: shallot.
Donna says
I would add boiled eggs. Sounds really good
Donna says
I would add some boiled eggs. Sounds really good
Katrina says
I personally would probably use a different pasta because elbow noodles are a little boring. My choice for pasta would be bowtie pasta to give it a little umph.
Sheena says
I tried this but left out the sugar and the peppers (allergic.) why I never put sour cream in my macaroni salad is beyond me! I love it-see if the family loves it tonight for dinner!
Becky MacMillan says
I would add a little celery to this also. Yum!
Jennifer says
I would definitely change add some vegetables according to what seasonal veggies I have. Absolutely love the recipe!!
Anna says
I haven’t rated this recipe accurately yet because I haven’t made it yet.
I would totally try different shaped pasta . Just make it fun.🙂
Ann says
Can’t wait to try it. I think I’ll add finely chopped apples!
Trista says
This salad sounds yummy! Can’t wait to make it! I would omit the pepper and celery because my belly doesn’t handle peppers very well and my husband doesn’t like celery. I would add olives and ham. Maybe even some cubed cheddar cheese.
Chris Schubert says
Yes, I would try this. Love macaroni salad! I would also ad as suggested…pickle relish. Think I’ll make some later!!
Stephanie says
I look forward to making this recipe & I will use tri Color spiral pasta 😋
Ann Wawira Mwobe says
I lo ve it when topped with cream . Thank s.
Sammie Warren says
Instead of sugar I would use Splenda. I would add peas and corn. Would leave out the carrots.
Donna Walker says
This sounds so good. I would also add along with the ham, some Colby jack cheese in half inch chunks, and maybe some bacon as well. And a couple of boiled and chopped eggs.
Diane E Eckstine says
I would add sweet pepper relish to this
Gerri says
I( would make it a little spicier or even add some dill 🙂 looks good though !
Karen says
Because I love spicy food I would definitely make the dressing spicy
Jeffrey sarrin says
I served it at a fish fry. Everyone loved it.
Teena Laroue says
I would add some bacon and maybe even a little tomato just to give it a little extra special flavor
Patricia says
I will make this recipe, I would do that recipe, it looks good and refreshing, but I add a little paprika to it.
Brenda says
I may use cubed ham instead of bacon
Jeanne Campo says
I LOVE Macaroni Salad & this is definitely a keeper (I would use Ditalini Pasta instead)!!
Lesa Decker says
Add hard boiled eggs AND eliminate the carrots!
Denise Carpenter says
This macaroni salad sounds scrumptious. I think I would add little chunks of cheddar cheese to it. And I’d serve with Brats and Sausage cooked on the grill!!
Debra says
Looks awesome
Jackie Paxton says
I would add dill pickles or cucumbers and serve it with anything bbq
Linda says
There are so many fresh veggies out there right now with farmers markets, that I’d add any that look good, like fresh tomatoes.
Donna B Reidland says
My mom made great pasta salads but I never quite mastered her dressing. This recipe sounds amazing, especially the dressing so, I plan on trying it very soon.
Richella J Parham says
This looks so good! I’ve pinned it to my Side Dishes board.
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