With tender elbow macaroni, a creamy dressing and a handful of add-ins, I love how easy it comes together. Potluck perfect, it’s an easy favorite for almost any occasion.
Macaroni Salad Ingredients
Macaroni noodles hold a special place in my heart beyond just mac and cheese. The this is the best macaroni salad recipe – simple, tasty, and easy to make!
Pasta: I love elbow macaroni but any short pasta will work for this recipe. Red onion: Onion adds flavor, ensure it is finely diced so it doesn’t overpower the other flavors. For a milder flavor either soak the diced onion in cold water or use green onion in place. Add-Ins: Celery, red bell pepper, and shredded carrots add freshness and crunch.
Dressing for Macaroni Salad
Mayonnaise: Mayo is the creamy base of this macaroni salad recipe. Tang: White vinegar or apple cider vinegar add a bright, tangy flavor. Sweetness: A bit of sugar and a spoonful of sweet pickle relish balance the tang from the vinegar. Seasoning: Mustard, salt, & pepper add a subtle flavor. You can also use prepared mustard.
To lighten up the dressing, you can substitute half of the mayo for Greek yogurt.
Variations
Dressing: Replace the homemade dressing with prepared coleslaw dressing. Bold – cheese, bacon bits, diced ham, dill pickles Savory – garlic powder, hard boiled eggs Sweet – baby peas, sweet bell peppers, sweet pickles, or extra pickle relish
How to Make Macaroni Salad
Tips for The Best Macaroni Salad
Elbows can be swapped for ditalini, small shells, or wagon wheels. Dice the add-ins about the size of the macaroni for a bit in each bite. Rinse the pasta after draining to stop it from cooking. Mix the dressing directly in the salad bowl and then add the other ingredients, one less dish to wash. Store leftovers in the fridge in a covered container for up to 4 days.
Did your family love this macaroni salad? Leave a comment and rating below! Since the dressing soaks in, dress it generously. Before serving, stir it and then garnish it with a sprinkle of paprika and fresh herbs if you’d like.
More Make-Ahead Side Salads
Italian Pasta Salad – five-star favorite Fresh Corn Salad Broccoli Salad– fresh & delicious Caprese Pasta Salad Cucumber Tomato Salad – full of flavor Creamy Cucumber Salad – creamy & fresh
© SpendWithPennies.com. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited. Please view my photo use policy here.
