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Classic Macaroni Salad is the one that I always look for at potlucks. With a simple and tasty dressing, not too heavy on the mayo or mustard, and full of flavor. We like lots of add-ins, but you can add just what you like. This Easy macaroni salad recipe is delicious and very popular!
Classic Pasta Salad
What is more classic than a potluck or a picnic with potato salad or macaroni salad? This recipe is simple to make, really tasty, versatile, and feeds a crowd.
This is the best Macaroni Salad and has always been my favorite side dish for barbecues.
Some Helpful Tips for the best macaroni salad
- Use salted water when you boil the macaroni pasta. This seasons the pasta so you don’t have a bland salad. Use a small handful of salt in a pot of water.
- After draining, dump the pasta in a layer on a large baking sheet. I do this to help it cool faster. Just give it a stir once in a while.
- Wait for the pasta to cool completely before adding the dressing. Warm pasta will absorb more dressing, and may cause your macaroni salad to become dry.
- This is not a heavily dressed macaroni salad. If you like a lot of dressing, just double the amounts of the ingredients and use half before chilling the salad. Then add as much as you like before serving.
Here are some ideas for add-ins for your macaroni salad
Bacon, parsley, peas, corn, red bell pepper, sliced olives, hard boiled eggs, red onion, or anything that you like!
What can I use in place of mayonnaise?
Plain Greek Yogurt is the best mayo substitution, as the texture is similar. It is also healthier and high in protein. However, you may need to adjust the seasonings to your taste as it is a bit sour.
Is this a kid friendly recipe?
You know your kids tastes better than anyone, and what they will eat or what they will pick out of the salad. Therefore, start with the pasta and the dressing, then add in what you know they will eat.
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Classic Macaroni Salad
Ingredients
- 1 lb Small Macaroni Pasta, cooked
Dressing
- 1 ¼ cup Mayonnaise
- 2 Tablespoons Yellow Mustard
- ¼ cup White Vinegar
- 2 Tablespoons Sugar
- 1 teaspoon Kosher Salt (or 3/4 tsp table salt)
- ½ teaspoon Pepper
- 3 Tablespoons Sweet Relish
Salad
- 1 lg Celery Rib, diced
- 3 Tablespoons Diced Pimentos
- 1 cup Sharp Cheddar Cheese, cubed
Optional Add-Ins
- 4 slices Thick Cut Bacon (cooked), chopped
- ½ Red Onion, diced
- 4 Hard Boiled Eggs, chopped
- ¼ cup Parsley, chopped
- ⅓ cup Sliced Olives
Instructions
- In salted water, cook macaroni pasta according to package directions (al dente is best). When done, drain completely and rinse the hot pasta under cold running water to stop the cooking process.
- Add cooled macaroni pasta to a large bowl.
- In a 1-quart bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, mustard, vinegar, sugar, salt, pepper, and relish.
- Add the dressing to the pasta and mix together.
- Add celery, pimento, cheese, and any of the add-ins you would like. Mix gently.
- Chill an hour or more before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
What does Classic Macaroni Salad go well with?
This macaroni salad goes well with these recipes:
Pulled Pork
Tasty Turkey Meatloaf
Instant Pot Saucy Beef Brisket
Instant Pot Barbecue Beef
Instant Pot Honey Garlic Pork Tenderloin
I remember my mom making this quite often; adding in some fresh garden peas; diced left-over ham in place of the bacon, diced up carrots, maybe a diced radish or 2. Growing up on a farm; mom used what she had that was growing in the garden and available at the time. There was no running to the store in them days (45 min. – hour drive; that was one way)
Was a good salad to take to a church function, BBQ and if I remember correctly, she Always had it to go with fried chicken.
Love the recipe but I am curious as to how long it will stay good while refrigerated?
A few days.