This easy macaroni salad recipe is a classic potluck side dish made with noodles, red pepper, celery, onions and a creamy mayo dressing. It will be a staple at BBQs all summer!
Some of my other favorite potluck salad recipes for any summertime gathering are this easy pasta salad, broccoli salad or ramen noodle salad.
Table of Contents
Classic Macaroni Salad
This macaroni salad recipe is easy, quick, flavorful and one of my top things to bring to a BBQ. Served chilled with a creamy, slightly sweet and tangy dressing plus crunchy veggies, it’s perfect with hamburgers, hot dogs and even grilled BBQ chicken.
Tasty, filling and simple a macaroni salad is a classic side dish staple at any potluck, party or cookout during the summer. It’s one of those pasta salad recipes that you can almost always bet someone will bring and is definitely a crowd pleaser.
Ingredients for Macaroni Salad
These staple ingredients are a must for the best macaroni salad as well as the dressing. It’s super easy to make, has great flavor and perfectly creamy with a little bit of tang.
Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.
- Elbow macaroni: Elbow noodles are what makes macaroni salad what it is.
- Veggies: Red onion, celery and red bell pepper.
- Mayo
- Sour cream
- White vinegar
- Sugar
- Sweet pickle relish
- Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper: Adjust to taste
- Fresh herbs: Fresh parsley or fresh dill add color and fresh taste.
Substitutions and Variations
There are many variations of macaroni salads, feel free to go beyond my staple recipe and include any of the following additions.
- Bacon: Adding bacon brings a smoky and savory flavor to this recipe just like in my bacon and ranch pasta salad.
- Ham: If you have leftover ham from Easter or other holidays it’s the perfect way to use it up!
- Shredded or cubed cheese: Just a 1/2 cup can elevate this macaroni salad to cheese lover status.
- Hard boiled eggs: Just two hard boiled eggs that are mashed can add additional creamy texture. Make some deviled eggs for the potluck, too!
- Veggies: Add in more veggies, such as grated carrots or peas. Swap red onion for a milder green onion.
How to Make Macaroni Salad
Cook the elbow noodles according to directions, then drain under cold water.
While noodles are cooking, whisk together the dressing ingredients then add salt and pepper to taste.
Place noodles, bell pepper, celery, onion and bacon in a large bowl. Drizzle the dressing over and toss until combined.
I like to chill the pasta salad at least an hour before serving. When ready to serve, stir again and top with fresh parsley or dill if desired.
Tips for the Best Macaroni Salad
- Al dente pasta in salted water: Cooking pasta only until al dente in salted water ensures that your salad does not contain mushy noodles which affect the texture and the salt adds another layer of flavor.
- Rinse pasta with cold water: Shocking your pasta with cold water immediately when it is done cooking not only stops it from cooking longer but rinses off the excess starch to your pasta doesn’t stick or turn gummy.
- Use the dressing generously: The pasta will soak up the dressing as it sits. I like to make more than needed that way I can freshen up the salad right before serving. You could also add half the dressing before refrigerating and the other half before serving.
- Chilled salad: Chilling the pasta salad at least an hour gives time for the flavors to combine and meld together for the best taste.
How Long Can You Store Macaroni Salad?
When stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator macaroni salad can last up to 5 days. This salad is great for making in advance as it tastes better when chilled for at least an hour! When serving it at a cookout be mindful of how long it sits out at room temperature or in the heat as the mayo-based dressing can spoil quickly.
What to Serve with Pasta Salad
This pasta salad recipe tastes delicious served with any of your grilling favorites at any outdoor gathering! Try easy macaroni salad with BBQ pulled pork, grilled chicken or grilled steak kabobs or add it to your potluck salad lineup with creamy cucumber salad and coleslaw.
More summer picnic salads include this recipe for tuna salad, cornbread salad, fruit salad and cucumber tomato salad.
More Easy Pasta Salad Recipes
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Easy Macaroni Salad Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- 8 ounces uncooked elbow noodles
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 3-4 Tablespoons white vinegar , or cider vinegar
- 2 Tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2 Tablespoons sweet pickle relish
- 1 Tablespoon Dijon mustard
- ¼ teaspoon Kosher salt , plus more to taste
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper , plus more to taste
- Chopped fresh parsley or dill, optional
- 1 red bell pepper , chopped
- ½ cup finely chopped celery
- ¼ cup minced red onion
Instructions
- Cook the elbow noodles according to package directions. Drain under cold water.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, vinegar, sugar, relish, mustard, salt, and pepper. Mix in freshly chopped herbs, if desired.
- In a large bowl, add the noodles, bell pepper, celery, and onion. Drizzle the dressing over the top and toss until well combined. Chill until ready to serve.
Notes
- 6 pieces bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1/2 cup shredded or cubed cheese
- 2 hard-boiled eggs, mashed
- Add in more veggies, such as grated carrots or peas
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
Categorized as: 4th of July, American, Pasta Salad, Salads, Side Dishes
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook and shares easy family-friendly recipes and desserts for every occasion.
I brought this salad to a potluck and it went so fast!! Super easy to make too, I saved this recipe for the next party!
This works great for potato salad as well. I sometimes use a sweet & hot relish or add tuna or chicken for the pasta salad. When I take it to work I skip the onions & it’s still good. Great recipe
My husband smoked a brisket for the 4th and I made this as a side dish. All of our guests loved it and there wasn’t a speck left by the end of the night!
I have made this numerous times this summer! It’s one of our go-to’s, because it goes with everything & it tastes so good!
This was delicious. I didn’t have a red onion so I used green peas … they are both round and complementary colors, so that works, right? ;-) Regardless, it was very good.
That works great! I love that idea. Thanks for sharing!
I know this is meant for a quick Summer side dish but loved it for a weeknight dinner!
I did not care for so much vinegar. I questioned it when I put it in but added as per recipe. And comments/rating. I’ll make again but I think I will go less on vinegar.
I made this recipe a year ago and it’s great! Although recipe calls for vinegar, I use dill relish for the tangy flavor without the need for vinegar. My family prefers tangy dill over sweet dill relish in macaroni and potato salads.
This is so yummy and has just the right amount of dressing, not too goopy! I like to add hard boiled eggs to give it a little more protein!
Delicious macaroni salad
I love the red bell pepper in this, and the dressing is just the right amount of sweet.
the perfect salad for our potluck next week! :)
Love this salad! The additional of the bell peppers was brilliant!
This macaroni salad is so easy and delicious and was perfect with our BBQ dinner last night!
Macaroni salads are always the best side dishes!! They are so yummy & this looks perfect!