Nothing says summer gatherings, picnics, and potlucks quite like a classic, creamy bowl of macaroni salad. This Macaroni Salad Recipe is my go-to for a reason: it’s incredibly easy to make, perfectly creamy every single time, and always a crowd-pleaser. Forget bland, dry pasta salads; this recipe delivers a rich, tangy, and satisfying side dish that will have everyone asking for the recipe. It’s the perfect companion to everything from grilled chicken to burgers.
Why You’ll Love This Classic Macaroni Salad Recipe
Before we dive in, let’s talk about what makes this recipe stand out. It’s all about the perfect texture and flavor balance.
Ultra-Creamy Dressing: The dressing is the star of the show. It’s rich, tangy, and perfectly coats every piece of macaroni without being heavy.
Simple, Everyday Ingredients: No fancy or hard-to-find ingredients here. Just simple pantry staples come together for a truly memorable dish.
Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a backyard BBQ, a holiday potluck, or just a simple lunch, this macaroni salad fits right in. It’s a nostalgic classic for a reason.
Customizable: Consider this your base recipe! Feel free to add your favorite mix-ins to make it your own. I’ll share some of my favorite variations below.
The Key Ingredients for Perfect Macaroni Salad
The secret to the best macaroni salad is using simple, high-quality ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need.
For the Salad
Elbow Macaroni: The classic choice for its shape and ability to hold the dressing.
Celery: Provides a fresh, crunchy texture that contrasts beautifully with the creamy pasta.
Red Onion: Adds a sharp, slightly sweet bite. If you find it too strong, you can soak the diced onion in cold water for 10 minutes to mellow it out.
Red Bell Pepper: For a pop of color, sweetness, and more crunch.
Hard-Boiled Eggs: They add a wonderful richness and texture that is essential for a classic macaroni salad.
For the Creamy Dressing
Mayonnaise: Use a good quality, full-fat mayonnaise for the best flavor and texture.
Apple Cider Vinegar: This is the secret ingredient that cuts through the richness of the mayo and adds a bright, tangy flavor.
Dijon Mustard: Adds another layer of tang and complexity.
Sugar: Just a touch of sweetness to balance the vinegar and mustard.
Seasoning: Simple salt and freshly ground black pepper are all you need to bring the flavors together.
How to Make The Best Macaroni Salad (Step-by-Step)
Making this classic side dish is as easy as 1-2-3. Follow these simple steps for perfect results.
Cook the Macaroni: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the elbow macaroni according to package directions until it’s al dente (firm to the bite). It’s important not to overcook the pasta, or the salad will become mushy. Drain the pasta well and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down.
Prepare the Dressing: While the pasta is cooking, whisk together the mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, sugar, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Keep whisking until the dressing is smooth and creamy.
Combine Everything: Add the cooled macaroni, diced celery, red onion, red bell pepper, and chopped hard-boiled eggs to the bowl with the dressing. Gently stir everything together until the pasta and vegetables are evenly coated.
Chill: For the best flavor, cover the bowl and refrigerate the macaroni salad for at least 1-2 hours. This allows the flavors to meld together and the pasta to absorb some of the creamy dressing. Give it a final stir before serving.
Always the first thing to disappear at a potluck!
For a delicious and easy weeknight meal, try pairing this salad with our Amish White Bread for simple sandwiches.
Pro Tips for an Ultra-Creamy Macaroni Salad
Want to ensure your macaroni salad is the best on the block? Follow these tried-and-true tips.
Cook Pasta Al Dente: Mushy pasta is the enemy of good macaroni salad. Cooking it al dente ensures it holds its shape and texture.
Rinse the Pasta: Rinsing the cooked macaroni with cold water is a crucial step. It stops the cooking and removes excess starch, which prevents the dressing from becoming gummy.
Don’t Be Afraid of the Dressing: The pasta will absorb the dressing as it chills. It might look like too much dressing at first, but it will be perfect after a couple of hours in the fridge. If it still looks a little dry before serving, you can stir in an extra tablespoon or two of mayonnaise.
Chill Before Serving: This is non-negotiable! Chilling allows all the flavors to meld together for a much more delicious and cohesive salad.
Fun Variations to Try
While the classic recipe is fantastic on its own, it’s also a great canvas for other flavors. If you’re looking for another pasta salad idea, this High-Protein Italian Pasta Salad is a great option.
The perfect balance of creamy, tangy, and crunchy.
Add Protein: Stir in some shredded cheddar cheese, diced ham, or shredded rotisserie chicken to make it a more substantial dish.
Extra Veggies: Feel free to add other vegetables like green peas (frozen and thawed), shredded carrots, or even some chopped dill pickles or sweet pickle relish for extra tang.
Spice it Up: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of your favorite hot sauce to the dressing for a little kick.
Storing and Making Ahead
This macaroni salad recipe is perfect for making ahead of time. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The flavors will actually get even better on the second day! If the salad seems a bit dry after being stored, simply stir in a spoonful of mayonnaise to refresh it before serving. Because it’s mayonnaise-based, do not leave it out at room temperature for more than two hours.
What to Serve with Macaroni Salad
This versatile side dish pairs well with almost any main course you can think of. It’s a staple alongside grilled foods like burgers, hot dogs, and chicken. It’s also fantastic with simple weeknight dinners. We especially love it with these Bacon Jam Cheeseburger Sliders or some simple Oven-Baked Chicken Drumsticks.
The pasta naturally absorbs the dressing as it sits. The best way to prevent dry macaroni salad is to use a generous amount of dressing and consider adding an extra tablespoon of mayonnaise just before serving to refresh its creaminess.
Yes! Making macaroni salad a day in advance is a great idea. It allows the flavors to meld together, resulting in a much more flavorful salad. Just be sure to store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
There are many great additions! Try adding sweet pickle relish for tang, shredded cheddar cheese for richness, diced ham for protein, or a pinch of cayenne pepper in the dressing for a little heat.
Blandness usually comes from under-seasoning. Be sure to salt your pasta water, and don’t be shy with the salt and pepper in the dressing. The vinegar and Dijon mustard are also crucial for adding tang and cutting through the richness of the mayonnaise.
Absolutely. Rinsing the cooked pasta under cold water is a critical step. It stops the cooking process to prevent mushiness and washes away excess starch, which helps keep the dressing creamy and smooth.
We Hope You Love This Recipe!
This easy Macaroni Salad Recipe is a true classic that we’re sure you’ll love. It’s the perfect, creamy side dish for any meal or occasion. If you try it, we’d love to hear from you! Please leave a comment below and let us know how it turned out. Don’t forget to save it to your favorite board on Pinterest!
You can't beat a classic! This is my go-to Macaroni Salad Recipe.
The Perfect Macaroni Salad Recipe
FL Recipes
Macaroni Salad Recipe (The Creamiest & Easiest)
This classic Macaroni Salad Recipe is incredibly easy, perfectly creamy, and always a crowd-pleaser. Learn how to make the best homemade macaroni salad for your next picnic or potluck!
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the elbow macaroni according to package directions until al dente. Drain well and rinse with cold water until the pasta is completely cool. This stops the cooking process and prevents a gummy salad.
In a large bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, sugar, salt, and pepper until the dressing is completely smooth.
To the bowl with the dressing, add the cooled macaroni, diced celery, red onion, red bell pepper, and chopped hard-boiled eggs.
Gently stir until all ingredients are well combined and evenly coated in the dressing. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1-2 hours before serving to allow the flavors to meld.
Nutrition
Calories: 380kcalProtein: 7gFat: 25gFiber: 2g
Notes
Make-Ahead Tip: This salad can be made up to 24 hours in advance. If it seems a little dry before serving, stir in an extra tablespoon of mayonnaise to loosen it up. Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Hi, I’m Emily Carter, and welcome to FL Recipes! I share simple, healthy recipes that make cooking easy, fun, and delicious for everyone. more about me »
