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Nothing tastes better alongside grilled hamburgers and hotdogs, fried chicken, steak, or bbq chicken sandwiches than a cool and creamy Southern macaroni salad! With elbow pasta, crisp veggies, hardboiled eggs, and a sweet-and-tangy mayonnaise-based dressing, this easy side dish recipe comes together in minutes.
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If you’re looking for even more salad recipes, try this classic seafood salad, an easy ambrosia salad recipe, a Southern potato salad, and this popular Southern chicken salad, too!
How to Make this Traditional Macaroni Salad Recipe | 1-Minute Video
If there’s one common theme to any Southern picnic, I can assure you that it’s a creamy pasta salad. Specifically, an old fashioned macaroni salad! No cookout would be complete without at least one of these classic side dishes. File it away for your next cookout or potluck — the delicious pasta salad always wins rave reviews!
This is hands down the absolute BEST macaroni salad I’ve ever tasted. I never need to try another recipe. My mom was from Kentucky, and this is what what I was raised on. Never could duplicate her recipe, but you have! Thank you!
– Vickie
Why You’ll Love this Recipe
- Easy. If you can boil pasta, you can make this dish! There are no fancy cooking skills required. Just stir everything together and let it chill.
- Make-Ahead. When hosting friends and family for a holiday or cookout, or when attending a potluck gathering, prep-ahead recipes are key for convenience. This is one of those great options that you can make in advance and then stash in the fridge. No last-minute stress in the kitchen as your guests arrive.
- Perfect Flavor and Texture. I’ve perfected this recipe for macaroni salad over the years, and I’m finally confident in the version that I’m sharing with you today. The dressing-to-pasta ratio is ideal. The sauce has a slightly sweet taste in the background (without being overpowering), and there’s just a hint of yellow mustard in the mayonnaise-based dish. A garnish of fresh parsley is the final Southern touch that my mom and my grandmother would never omit!
Ingredients
This is just a quick overview of the ingredients that you’ll need for this simple macaroni salad recipe. As always, specific measurements and complete step-by-step cooking instructions are included in the printable recipe box at the bottom of the post.
- Macaroni: the salad’s namesake, we use “elbows” or macaroni noodles for this dish. You can substitute with any similar short pasta shape, such as small shells, ditalini, or rotini.
- Mayonnaise: the base of the dressing, pick a high-quality mayo with the best flavor. We love Duke’s brand. For a tangy addition, replace a little bit of the mayonnaise with sour cream or plain Greek yogurt.
- White vinegar: gives the dressing an acidic, tangy bite.
- Granulated sugar: for a hint of sweetness in the dressing.
- Yellow mustard: adds tangy flavor to the dressing. Dijon mustard works as a nice substitute, too.
- Sweet pickle relish: or substitute with finely chopped sweet pickles, chopped dill pickles, or dill pickle relish — whatever you love!
- Garlic: just a hint of garlic in the background adds another layer of flavor. You can omit this ingredient altogether if you don’t care for raw garlic in your salad, or substitute with a pinch of garlic powder.
- Onion: for a classic Southern dish, we love sweet Vidalia onions. You can substitute with chopped green onion (scallions), red onion (for a zestier bite), or regular yellow or white onion.
- Celery: adds a delicious savory crunch.
- Bell pepper: for sweet, crisp flavor. We like red bell peppers, but any color sweet bell pepper will work. You can swap out the bell pepper for chopped or grated carrots, too.
- Hard boiled eggs: add flavor and bring the dish together with a nice, creamy texture. That said, you can omit this ingredient if you don’t care for the eggs.
- Fresh parsley: fresh herbs elevate any salad, and parsley is a classic choice. Feel free to add other herbs that you might have on hand, such as chives, rosemary, basil, or thyme.
Directions
Similar to potato salad and coleslaw, macaroni salad is often enjoyed as a side dish to barbecue, fried chicken, and other picnic-style entrées. In the South, you’ll generally find that a macaroni salad includes raw diced onion, dill or sweet pickles (or pickle relish), celery, and hardboiled eggs. It’s the perfect make-ahead side dish to share with friends and family, and it just gets better as it sits. The pasta, vegetables, and egg absorb that sweet, creamy, and tangy dressing for a flavorful bite on every forkful!
I’ve included the detailed directions for this old fashioned macaroni salad in the recipe card below, but here’s the overview:
- Boil the pasta just until al dente to prevent it from becoming mushy in the salad. Drain and rinse under cold water to help it cool down, stop the cooking, remove the starches, and prevent the noodles from sticking together. Set aside.
- Chop the veggies while the noodles cook.
- Whisk together the macaroni salad dressing.
- Toss the cool drained pasta, veggies, eggs, and parsley with the dressing. Taste and season with salt and pepper, if necessary. Cover and chill.
- If your salad looks dry, it’s probably because the pasta has absorbed a lot of the dressing. Just stir in a couple of extra dollops of mayonnaise right before serving, if necessary.
Serving Suggestions
Macaroni salad pairs well with main dish options like grilled hamburgers, baby back ribs, crispy Southern fried catfish, pineapple glazed ham, blackened chicken, marinated flank steak, Crock Pot pulled pork, grilled BBQ chicken, and grilled pork chops.
WOW! This is the best mayonnaise pasta salad I have ever eaten. Perfect proportions! Garlic and the mustard just made it. I can’t believe I made this. Thank you! Thank you! Your recipes don’t let me down. Gonna try those green beans next. Yum!
– Jane
Preparation and Storage Tips
- Make Ahead: For convenience, you can make grandma’s old fashioned macaroni salad recipe the night before you plan to enjoy it. I recommend chilling the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to give the flavors a chance to “come together,” but overnight is fine as well. You might need to add a little bit more mayonnaise to the salad the next day if you find that the pasta has absorbed too much of the dressing.
- How to Store: Leftovers will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. If your macaroni salad has been sitting out at room temperature (or in the hot summer weather at a picnic) for more than 2 hours, you should discard any leftovers.
- Freezer Instructions: I do not recommend freezing macaroni salad, as the pasta and vegetables will get mushy when thawed and the creamy dressing with break.
Recipe Variations
- Add cooked, diced chicken, ham, shrimp, or tuna to the salad for extra protein and flavor. You might also like this ham pasta salad, Aunt Bee’s shrimp pasta salad, this tuna pasta salad, or this chicken pasta salad with shrimp and pepperoni.
- If you like a sweet burst of flavor, add peas to your macaroni salad. You can also include other vegetables like diced tomatoes.
- Add cheese, such as diced cheddar cheese or mozzarella.
This is the BEST macaroni salad I have ever made, I found the recipe 6 weeks ago and now by popular demand I make it every week…
– Alex
More Easy Pasta Salad Recipes to Try
Easy Pasta Salad with Mayo, Lemon and Basil
2 hours hrs 30 minutes mins
Classic Pasta Salad
20 minutes mins
Aunt Bee’s Shrimp Pasta Salad
50 minutes mins
Southern Macaroni Salad
Ingredients
- 6 ounces uncooked elbow macaroni pasta (about 1 ½ cups uncooked or 3 cups cooked)
- 1 cup mayonnaise (we prefer Duke's brand)
- 2 tablespoons white vinegar
- 2 tablespoons white sugar
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 tablespoon sweet pickle relish
- ½ teaspoon minced, pressed, or grated fresh garlic
- 1 sweet onion, diced
- 2 cups chopped celery
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 3 hard boiled eggs, chopped
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Cook macaroni in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package directions for al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water.
- While the pasta cooks, chop the onion, celery, bell pepper, eggs, and parsley. In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, mustard, pickle relish, and garlic until smooth.
- In a large bowl, combine cool pasta, onion, celery, bell pepper, eggs, and parsley. Toss with dressing and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Video
Notes
- Use any short pasta, such as elbow macaroni, mini shells, ditalini, or rotini.
- Add cooked, diced chicken, ham, shrimp, or tuna to the salad. You might also like this ham pasta salad, Aunt Bee’s shrimp pasta salad, this tuna pasta salad, or this chicken pasta salad with shrimp and pepperoni.
- If you like a sweet burst of flavor, add peas to your macaroni salad.
- Omit the hardboiled eggs if you don’t care for them.
- Instead of sweet pickle relish, use chopped sweet pickles, chopped dill pickles, or dill pickle relish.
- A hint of garlic in the background adds another layer of flavor. You can omit this ingredient altogether if you don’t care for raw garlic in your salad, or substitute with a pinch of garlic powder.
- Add cheese, such as diced cheddar cheese or mozzarella.
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the five mistakes to avoid when making pasta salad? For the best macaroni salad recipe, keep these tips in mind: don’t overcook the pasta; don’t forget to season the pasta cooking water with salt; don’t add too much dressing; choose sturdy pasta shapes that hold up well and that the dressing can cling to; and remember to include a variety of flavors and textures.
- Why add vinegar to macaroni salad? Adding vinegar to a classic macaroni salad recipe helps to balance the flavors, providing a tangy contrast to the rich mayo and enhancing the overall taste profile of the dish. I use white vinegar here, but apple cider vinegar or even lemon juice would also work.
- What is Amish macaroni salad made of? Amish macaroni salad typically consists of cooked elbow macaroni, hard-boiled eggs, celery, onion, and a mayonnaise-based dressing seasoned with mustard, vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper. It’s very similar to this dish!
- Why is Hawaiian mac salad so good? Many folks love Hawaiian macaroni salad because of its unique creamy texture and tangy flavor profile. It typically includes a higher ratio of mayonnaise and a touch of sweetness, making it irresistibly delicious.
This recipe was originally published in June, 2017. It was updated in April, 2024.
Aren’t cookouts the best?! It just screams summer, and you can’t beat the food. This macaroni salad looks amazing, Blair! I love the flavors and pretty color. Definitely a summer staple in my book!
The best! Thanks, Gayle! It’s totally a summer staple! 🙂
Where is the ingredients list? I got everything but that, instructions, etc., but no ingredients.
Hi, Roxanne! The ingredients weren’t published right away (annoying glitch), but I fixed them almost immediately so they should be there now. Maybe refresh your browser if you still can’t see them? Sorry about that hassle! 🙂
This is hands down the absolute BEST macaroni salad I’ve ever tasted. I never need to try another recipe. My mom was from Kentucky, and this is what what I was raised on. Never could duplicate her recipe, but you have! Thank you!
That makes me so happy to hear, Vickie! Thank you!
Hello Vickie,
Your comment struck me because my mom was born and raised in Kentucky as well.
This recipe is very similar to my mom’s recipe. And I make mine like my mom. She was an amazing cook. The main difference is we always added lots of hard boiled eggs. I can’t tolerate the texture of the egg whites so I only use the yolks but I do like a strong eggy flavor in my macaroni salad. We also added a descent amount of sweet pickle chunky relish. One ingredient that was a must in macaroni salad rather than regular onion was green onions, never regular onion. Mam always topped her macaroni salad with fresh chopped parsley and paprika.
I don’t make macaroni salad very often but I enjoy it year round not just in the summer.
Have a blessed day my friend. If your mother is still with you tell her hello from another daughter of a fine Kentucky lady!
Okay!!! Where is the list of ingredients with their amounts??? Am I overlooking something here or do I have to watch the video to get the amounts??? Thank you so much!!! Love your site!!!
Okay!!! After posting my former comment the ingredients came up!!! Thanks!!!
Awesome! Thanks, Bill!
I make my version of this from spring to fall using different pasta shapes and with various meats from tunafish to shrimp but i use only fine chopped celery and red onion sauteed to soften before adding to the rest of ingredients sometimes adding dry ranch dressing mix to the mayo.
Your versions sound great, Cynthia! 🙂
Where is the actual recipe? I see instructions to put it together but no list of ingredients and the amount.
Refresh your page and it will jump out at you!!! I don’t know why it just does!!! Lol
Hi! The ingredients have been added to the recipe, so try refreshing your page and they should appear. 🙂
I’m sorry but I didn’t care for this. The garlic just ringed it for me and my family, and we are Italian, put extra garlic on everything, but it just didn’t work in this salad. All your recipes I’ve made have always been on point, I’m sure it’s just a personal preference.
Ruined, not ringed
Hi, Tami! That’s okay! Thanks for the feedback! Other readers who don’t care much for garlic in their pasta salad might choose to omit it in the future. 🙂
I would never use garlic either. I’m very southern and have never heard of garlic in macaroni salad
Hi making your salad for about 25 guest. Can’t figure how to adjust amount of pasts and ingredient. HELP.. THANK YOU FOT IMMEDIATE RESPONSE.
Hi, Ada! I think it’s safe to assume about 1/2-cup to 1-cup of pasta salad per person. This recipe yields about 8 cups total, so one recipe should serve at least 8 (or more) people. I would suggest multiplying all of the ingredients by 3 and that should be more than enough for your group (assuming it’s a side dish and not the main entree). So for instance, you would use 18 ounces of uncooked pasta, 3 cups of mayonnaise, 6 T vinegar, 6 T sugar, etc. Let me know if you have any other questions! 🙂
I have a question. I’m thinking of making this for church on Sunday. It says slice the eggs and then have them added with everything else to stir in. Wouldn’t it be better to dice or cut them up? Why sliceC
Hi, Angie! You can totally just dice the eggs if you prefer! I said “slice” because I use one of those hardboiled egg slicers because it’s quick. 🙂 They break up in the salad, so any way that you cut them will be fine!
Your recipe is exactly the way my mom made it since I can remember excellent but my mom did add relish
Wonderful! I’m so glad that it’s just as you remember it, Sherry! Relish sounds like a great addition, too! Thanks so much. 🙂
Hi Blair,
I enjoy your blog very much & look forward to it every Sunday.
You know what would be fabulous? If you could do a TV show every week Instead of this blog! I’m sure everyone would tune in!
If Rachel Ray could do it, so can you! Plus, it would be better, because with your adorable family Involved, we can relate on the same level. It’s so refreshing to see your activities every week & how you fit & schedule everything in. This is what family is all about. Your the perfect mother & wife that we admire and with your your guidence we can be too!
You are so kind, Judy! 🙂 I love the idea of a show, but I haven’t been offered one yet. Do you know a producer?! Hah! 🙂
This is the BEST macaroni salad I have ever made, I found the recipe 6 weeks ago and now by popular demand I make it every week . I did add larger amounts of the vegetables, and 2 xtra tablespoons of vinegar. Also I went with 1/2 mayonnaise and 1/2
Sour cream. Thank you
Wonderful! I’m so happy to hear that you love it, Alex. Thank you!
WOW! This is the best mayonnaise pasta salad I have ever eaten. Perfect proportions! Garlic and the mustard just made it. I can’t believe I made this. Thank you! Thank you! Your recipes don’t let me down. Gonna try those green beans next. Yum!
Wonderful! Thank you, Jane! I’m so glad that you like it as much as I do. 🙂
You have got to be kidding. No one could stop at a one cup serving. This is so good the next time I make it I’m doubling the recipe. And I live alone. lol
Hah! Thank you, Anne! I’m planning on making it this evening — definitely a favorite around here, too! 🙂
Sounds like a delicious combination. Sometimes, being single, I have had trouble with salads going dry because the pasta has absorbed the dressing. Often I kind of deconstruct the salad, storing both the macaroni and vegetables/protein separately and then combining a serving with the dressing at mealtime. Seems to work fairly well when cooking for one, which is good, because I LOVE pasta salads.
Yes, that’s a great tip to make it last longer! Hope you enjoy this one, Marion.
This was delicious! It made a perfect vegetarian entree. I am grateful to have this recipe!
Thank you, Carol!