How to Make The Best Macaroni Pasta Salad [+ Video]

This classic macaroni salad recipe is ultra creamy, tangy, and just the right amount of nostalgic. It’s the kind of side dish that disappears fast at summer barbecues, backyard parties, and potlucks. I’ve spent more time than I’d like to admit fine-tuning this recipe over the years, but now it’s the best macaroni salad ever, and I’m excited to help you make it just as good.

Classic Macaroni Salad Recipe

My friend’s mom used to make this macaroni salad every summer for our annual neighborhood barbecue, and it quickly became legendary. She’d always make a huge batch and it would disappear within minutes. She never measured a thing, just chopped and stirred and somehow made it perfect every time. I remember standing in her kitchen once, watching her toss in the peppers and onions with a hum and a smile, and thinking how easy she made it look. That salad disappeared faster than anything else on the table.

Macaroni salad is one of those deli counter staples that rarely lives up to the hype. However, this recipe is well worth your while. It is so easy, and way better. Creamy, crunchy, and full of flavor, this version proves you don’t need to overthink it to get it right.

So next time you’re headed to a summer BBQ or potluck, volunteer to bring this homemade classic macaroni salad recipe! It’s a crowd-pleaser, every single time. Oh and if you really want to knock their socks off pair it with our smoked brisket and baked beans! My mouth is watering already! Thank me later!

Homemade Macaroni Salad Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make this simple macaroni salad recipe:

• Macaroni pasta: Classic elbow macaroni noodles that give this salad its signature shape and satisfying bite.
• Red onion: Adds a sharp, slightly sweet crunch for balance and flavor.
• Bell peppers: Bright and crisp, they bring color and a mild sweetness.
• Sweetened condensed milk: A creamy, sweet base that makes the dressing uniquely rich.
• Mayonnaise: Adds smoothness and a savory depth to the dressing.
• Granulated sugar: Enhances the sweetness and rounds out the tangy flavors.
• Apple cider vinegar: Brings a touch of acidity to balance the creamy and sweet components.
• Salt and pepper: Essential seasonings to elevate and tie all the flavors together.
• Dijon mustard: Offers a subtle tang and a little zip to the dressing.

The measurements for each ingredient can be found on the recipe card at the end of this post.

Can I Use a Mayonnaise Substitute?

I’ve heard that some folks out there don’t like mayo in their creamy pasta salads. You can partially substitute the mayo, but do not omit it completely. It is what keeps the salad nice and creamy. You can use plain Greek yogurt or sour cream to substitute half of the mayo.

How to Make Macaroni Salad

Let’s break down how to make a simple macaroni salad at home. My girls love making this for our family, if that’s any indication of how easy this recipe is!

1. Boil: Heat a pot of water over medium-high heat and add a teaspoon or two of kosher salt.
2. Cook: Once the water is boiling, toss in the pasta and cook it past al dente.
3. Drain: Drain the pasta immediately. (You can even run some cold water over it to stop the cooking process.)
4. Chill: Cool the pasta in the fridge while you finish preparing the veggies and macaroni salad dressing.
5. Combine: Mix the veggies, cooled pasta, and dressing together in a large bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 hours before serving.

 The instructions can be found in more detail in the recipe card at the end of this post!

Additional Add-Ins for Macaroni Salad

For our macaroni salad recipe, we like to keep things super simple with just a few fresh add-ins: red onion, green bell peppers, and red bell peppers. But the beauty of this dish is how flexible it can be. Depending on your taste and what you have on hand, you can mix in extras like peas, cubed ham, pineapple (especially paired with ham for a Hawaiian twist), cubed cheese, hard-boiled eggs, or even tuna (if that’s your thing!). Other great additions include celery, crispy bacon, shredded carrots, red pepper flakes, green onions, dill or sweet pickles, or finely chopped shallots. It’s totally customizable.

How to Keep Macaroni Salad From Drying Out

The key to keeping macaroni salad from drying out is the pasta. If you don’t cook it enough, the pasta won’t grab onto the dressing and will dry out. If you overcook the pasta, it will be completely soggy and gross. Cook the pasta just right, and your macaroni salad will stay perfectly creamy.

How Much Salad for a Crowd?

It’s always hard to gauge how much macaroni salad to make for a big crowd. A good rule of thumb is to go with 1/2 cup per person. That covers the people who go crazy for it and those who don’t have any.

Can Macaroni Salad Be Prepped in Advance?

Yes, I actually think it tastes the best if you make it the day before and let it refrigerate overnight. It can be made up to two days before. Just be sure to give it a good stir before serving.

How Long Can This Salad Sit Out?

Macaroni salad is often served at hot summer BBQs, but you need to be careful about how long it sits out. Bacteria starts to grow quite rapidly between 40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit. Macaroni salad that has been sitting out at room temperature for more than 2 hours should be thrown away.

How Long Does Macaroni Salad Last?

Macaroni salad will keep up to 5 days in the fridge in an airtight container.

Can Macaroni Salad Be Frozen?

Any salad that contains mayonnaise should not be frozen. Mayonnaise does not freeze and thaw well. It separates and becomes oily.

What to Serve with Macaroni Salad

This macaroni salad recipe goes with just about everything, but we love it with all our favorite summer dishes:

• Carolina Pulled Pork
• Favorite BBQ Grilled Chicken
• Brazilian Smoked Tri Tip
• Perfect Smoked Beef Brisket Recipe

Then, of course, you’ll want to serve it alongside our grilled corn on the cob and best baked beans with a heaping bowl of homemade berries and cream ice cream for dessert!

Tips for the Best Macaroni Salad

Be sure to generously salt the water you’ll be cooking the macaroni in. The pasta itself needs to have some flavor, otherwise your macaroni salad may taste a little bland.

For the creamiest pasta salad, we recommend using full-fat mayo in this recipe. A lower fat version may be substituted if desired, though.

Feel free to play around with the macaroni salad dressing ingredients to suit your own preferences. We like a sweet-yet-tangy dressing, but add more or less sugar to your liking.

More PASTA SALAD RECIPES:

• The BEST Potato Salad Recipe
• Easy Southern English Pea Pasta Salad
• Easy Italian Pasta Salad
• Greek Pasta Salad
• Southwest Pasta Salad
• Tortellini Pasta Salad
• Mexican Corn Pasta Salad
• Bacon Chicken Ranch Pasta Salad
• Lemon Orzo Salad
• ALL OF OUR PASTA SALAD RECIPES!

Watch How This Macaroni Salad is Made: