Traditional Macaroni Salad Recipe

Classic Macaroni Salad has tender elbow macaroni, fresh veggies, and seasonings that are all coated in a creamy dressing! The perfect side dish for all of those backyard cookouts!

For more delicious summertime side dishes, be sure to also check out my Tuna Pasta Salad and this Easy Antipasti Pasta Salad!

This is the Best Macaroni Salad!

This Classic Macaroni Salad is a favorite of mine! It’s full of spices, textures, and a bit of tang, making it anything but boring!

I love that there are so many different versions of this nostalgic side dish! I enjoy both creamy and oil-based dressings, but with its blend of flavors, this particular recipe puts a tasty twist on traditional pasta salad recipes.

The tanginess of the mustard and vinegar, plus the hint of sweetness from the sugar, will have you (and everyone else!) going back for second helpings. Plus, all those different textures mean that every bite stays interesting!

Absolutely love this recipe! The sauce is what makes this salad so good!

– Debbie

Homemade Macaroni Salad ingredients

• Dressing:
  • Mayonnaise
  • Red Wine Vinegar
  • Granulated Sugar
  • Ground Mustard
  • Garlic Powder
  • Onion Powder
  • Ground Black Pepper
  • Smoked Paprika
• Salad:
  • Elbow Macaroni
  • Medium Red Onion
  • Bell Pepper
  • Carrot
  • Celery Stalks
  • Cucumber
  • Peas

Classic Macaroni Salad variations and substitutions

• Pasta: For this pasta salad, we prefer to use classic elbow macaroni because it’s the best size to blend with the other ingredients. For best results, look for the kind with ridges, as this will give the dressing something to cling to. Ditalini would be another fine choice, or if you prefer a larger pasta, try Cavatappi.
• Meat: You could add 1 to 2 cups of chopped chicken, bacon, ham, or even tuna to this recipe. You’ll want to increase the mayonnaise by 1/2 cup to account for the added volume.
• Veggies: This recipe has a pretty classic blend, but you can use a different type of bell pepper or remove something you don’t like. I would recommend keeping the balance the same, so if you remove the celery, add in extra cucumber or peas. I do not recommend adding tomatoes as they won’t hold up as well.
• Flavor: You could add 1/4 to 1/2 cup of dill pickle relish for some zing or add some heat with a couple of tablespoons of hot sauce.
• Eggs: I know some people enjoy eggs in their macaroni salad, so if that’s you, feel free to add hard-boiled eggs into the recipe!
• Spices: This recipe uses a mild blend of mustard, garlic, and onion powders along with black pepper and smoked paprika. You could also add salt to taste and some people really love making classic macaroni salad with celery salt. This is a pretty standard and classic recipe that can be adjusted to taste.

How To Make The Best Macaroni Salad

1. Whisk the mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, mustard powder, garlic powder, onion powder, pepper, and paprika together. Then chill the dressing in the fridge while the pasta cooks and the veggies are prepared.
2. Cook the pasta until al dente. While the pasta is cooking, chop up the vegetables and add them to a large bowl.
3. Strain the pasta in a colander and then run cold water over it to cool it down. Next, transfer the cold pasta to the bowl of prepped vegetables.
4. Add the dressing over the pasta and veggies and toss to coat evenly. Lastly, transfer the Macaroni Salad to the fridge to chill before serving.

Mistakes To Avoid When Making Pasta Salad

• Choosing the wrong pasta – size matters, and bite-sized is best.
• Overcooking the pasta – al dente is best, no one likes mushy pasta.
• Not enough dressing – a dry salad is a sad salad.
• Too much dressing – the dressing should cling to the other ingredients, not pool in the bottom of the bowl.
• Lack of seasoning – flavor is key, the mayo is the base not the hero here.

This Traditional Macaroni Salad Recipe pairs well with…

There are a lot of different ways to make this dish! I personally love how this way is simple yet super delicious!

Making it easy to pair this with grilled favorites such as BBQ Baby Back Ribs! Or even Grilled Pork Tenderloin and Smash Burgers!

Our family is also known to enjoy this side at our annual family Steamed Lobster feast!

But whether you’re hosting a gathering or bringing a dish to someone else’s house, this really is the perfect side dish to add to any picnic table!

How To Store Macaronin Salad

If preparing in advance or storing leftovers, keep the macaroni salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

How Do You Keep Macaroni Salad Moist?

As is, this macaroni salad should stay well-dressed for a day or two. After which time, you might want to consider adding an additional 1/4 to 1/2 cup of mayonnaise to account for absorption from the pasta and veggies.

More Incredible Pasta Recipes:

• Tuna Pasta Salad – The best old-fashioned, traditional recipe that’s perfect for potlucks!
• Salmon Pasta Salad – A wholesome dish loaded with fresh veggies and protein!
• Hawaiian Macaroni Salad – Covered in a creamy, homemade, tangy, subtly sweet dressing!
• Taco Pasta Salad – Everything you love about tacos in this yummy, zesty salad!
• Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad – Smothered with a delicious ranch dressing!

This recipe was originally published in June 2018 and was updated with fresh photos and tips in August 2022.