EASY Macaroni Salad Recipe - I Heart Naptime (2024)

Savor this easy macaroni salad recipe, featuring noodles, veggies, and a creamy, tangy dressing bursting with flavor. This classic side dish recipe is guaranteed to become a staple at BBQs or potlucks all season long!

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Classic Macaroni Salad

This macaroni salad recipe is one of my top things to bring to a BBQ. It’s easy, quick and has so much flavor. Some of my other favorites for any summertime gathering are broccoli salad and ramen noodle salad.

Tasty, filling and simple 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.

Served chilled with a creamy, slightly sweet and tangy dressing plus crunchy veggies, it’s the perfect compliment to hamburgers, hot dogs and other picnic favorites like grilled BBQ chicken.

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 fullprintable recipewith specific measurements below.

• Elbow macaroni: Elbow noodles are what makes macaroni salad what it is. Although any short pasta works!
• Red onion: Adds both color and taste. Feel free to use any milder onion if you wish like white onions or green onions.
• Celery: Adds the best crunch.
• Bell pepper: I love sweet red bell pepper but green bell pepper can be used instead or in addition.
• Mayo: Duke’s, Hellman’s or your favorite brand of mayonnaise works for the dressing.
• Sour cream: Just a small amount makes this the creamiest dressing, if you would like Greek yogurt could be used!
• White vinegar: Any white vinegar works to add tangy as well as apple cider vinegar.
• Sugar: Granulated sugar will dissolve the best in the dressing and add a slightly sweet taste to balance the tangy.
• Sweet pickle relish: My special ingredients that adds that special touch!
• Dijon mustard: I love the tang of Dijon mustard, but yellow mustard can be used.
• Salt and pepper: For taste.
• Fresh herbs: Fresh parsley or fresh dill add a pop of color and fresh taste as garnish.

How to Make Macaroni Salad

• Cook noodles. Cook the elbow noodles according to directions, then drain under cold water.
• Whisk together dressing. While noodles are cooking, whisk together the dressing ingredients then add salt and pepper to taste.
• Combine: Place noodles, bell pepper, celery, onion and bacon in a large bowl. Drizzle the dressing over and toss until combined. T
• Chill then serve: 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.

Expert 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.

Make Ahead and Storage

This recipe can easily be made ahead of time. I love to make it the day before and let the flavors marinate together in the fridge overnight. However is using bacon I leave it while chilling overnight. I’ll add it in right before serving so that it stays nice and crisp.

To store leftovers, it will keep in the refrigerator for about 3 to 5 days in an airtight container. After serving, just make sure you immediately put it back in the fridge to chill. The mayonnaise base can spoil quickly if left out. I prefer to eat within the first few days of making.

More Easy Pasta Salad Recipes

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