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This simple Macaroni Salad Recipe is the perfect combination of creamy and crunchy, and totally adaptable to your own liking. It’s the perfect side dish for summer, or anytime really, and is ready in just 15 minutes! Pair macaroni salad with Barbecue Chicken.
Why You’ll Love This Pasta Salad
I love this Macaroni Salad recipe for so many reasons! It’s simple to make, kids will eat it no problem, it’s HIGHLY ADAPTABLE based on what you have on hand and it’s a classic recipe that everyone loves in the summer. Or any season really! Plus, it’s the perfect make-ahead salad for any potluck or BBQ.
Experiment with this recipe and make it how YOU like it.
If you don’t like pickles, don’t add them!
Like it spicy? Add some hot sauce into the mixture.
Want to healthify it up? Then add all the crunchy vegetables you can find in your fridge.
Want to include some protein? Add some cubed ham or chicken.
The possibilities are actually endless. So even when you make this simple macaroni salad recipe, again and again, you may never make it the same twice.It is all up to you. SO let’s get into how to make it!
How to Make Macaroni Salad
This pasta salad is ready to eat in just 15 minutes. Super easy, and best of all, you can make it with what veggies you have on hand. For full recipe details including ingredients needed and measurements, see the printable recipe card down below. Here is step by step what you can expect when making this salad:
Cook Macaroni until al dente
Bring a large pot of water to boil. Salt water generously and pour in pasta. Stir and cook until al dente. Drain pasta and rinse under cold water until cold. Pour into large bowl and set aside.
Prep Veggies
Chop your veggies. Things like celery, carrot, onion, bell pepper and pickles are all crunchy, delicious options. Add cut veggies to the pasta bowl.
Make the Dressing
Stir in mayonnaise, vinegar, and seasonings until everything is well coated. If it doesn’t seem like there’s enough mayonnaise to go around, add in a splash of water or a little more mayonnaise.
Refrigerate until ready to Serve
This salad is delicious as is, but only gets better with time! If you can, make a few hours in advance for best results. This gives the ingredients time to marry and be happy.
What to Eat with Macaroni Salad
Once your macaroni salad is done, you can eat it as is or have it as a side dish with something else. It’s particularly delicious with steak skewers, baked chicken legs, pulled pork, smoked chicken wings or smoked pork butt. DELICIOUS!!
Storing Leftover Macaroni Salad
Any leftovers can be refrigerated and saved as a snack or lunch for the next day. This recipe should stay good for 3-5 days after making it.
Can you Freeze Macaroni Salad?
Yes, you can! You can either freeze everything separately (pasta, chopped veggies and dressing)and store up to 5 days or you can make the whole thing and freeze any leftovers you have for the same amount of time. Make sure to seal in an airtight container to keep things fresh.
Something to make sure you do is thaw in the fridge. This can take up to three hours so plan ahead! If you don’t do this, bacteria is more likely to grow on your food.
Perfect for Potlucks and BBQ’s
If making this recipe for a large group of people, or a party, make sure to double the recipe so everyone can have a taste of this stuff! You won’t regret it and neither will they.
The texture and taste of this macaroni salad make it seriously the best. Its creaminess and freshness are hard to resist and at any BBQ or potluck, you aren’t going to go home with leftovers. It is THAT good.
If macaroni or pasta-based salad isn’t your summer salad of choice, here are a few other delicious options: coleslaw, cucumber salad, broccoli salad, southwest chicken chop salad.
More Pasta Salads to Try!
- Italian Pasta Salad
- Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
- Tuna Pasta Salad Recipe
- Sesame Noodle Salad
The printable recipe card is below! Be sure to save, print, pin or bookmark this because it is a fabulous macaroni salad recipe you won’t want to lose!
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5 from 16 votes
Macaroni Salad
This simple Macaroni Salad Recipe is delicious and can be made in 15 minutes! It’s the perfect creamy, crunchy, fresh and cold summer salad.
servings 6 servings
Prep Time 20 minutes mins
Cook Time 8 minutes mins
Total Time 1 hour hr 28 minutes mins
Ingredients
- 1/2 lb. elbow macaroni
- 3/4 cup carrot diced
- 3/4 cup celery diced
- 1/2 cup red onion diced (or yellow onion)
- 1/3 cup dill pickle diced
- 1/2 cup real mayonnaise heaping 1/2 cup
- 2 tablespoons white vinegar
- 3/4 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- salt & pepper to taste
US Customary – Metric
Instructions
Bring large pot of water to boil. Salt water generously and pour in pasta. Stir and cook 7-10 minutes or until al dente. Drain pasta and rinse under cold water until cold.
Place cooled pasta into large bowl (with a lid) and top with chopped veggies.
In a separate bowl, whisk mayonnaise, vinegar, and seasonings together until everything is well combined.
Add mayonnaise mixture into the bowl with pasta and vegetables and stir until everything is well coated. If it doesn't seem like there's enough mayonnaise to go around, add in a splash of water or a little more mayonnaise. Taste for seasonings and adjust as desired.
Refrigerate macaroni salad until ready to serve (the longer the better). Serve chilled.
Video
Nutrition
Calories: 283kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 9g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Cholesterol: 8mg | Sodium: 207mg | Potassium: 206mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 2760IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 33mg | Iron: 1mg
Course: Lunch, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: macaroni salad, macaroni salad recipe, pasta salad, summer salad
