• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Her Wholesome Kitchen
  • Recipe Index
  • eBooks
  • Salad Tools
  • About
  • Navigation Menu: Social Icons

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
    • YouTube
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipe Index
  • eBooks
  • Salad Tools
  • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipe Index
    • eBooks
    • Salad Tools
    • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Salad

    Easy Macaroni Salad

    Published: Jul 21, 2022 · Modified: Nov 7, 2022 · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

    Today: get our Big Salads Recipe eBook for 60% off! See It Here

    Today: get our Big Salads Recipe eBook for 60% off! See It Here

    This easy macaroni salad is a classic side dish that's always a crowd favorite! It's a traditional mix of macaroni noodles and finely chopped vegetables in a light and flavorful mayonnaise-based dressing.

    Macaroni salad.

    About This Recipe

    Macaroni Salad is a must-have recipe for summer as well as holidays! It's easy to make a big batch ahead of time, which makes it perfect for days when you need to feed a crowd but don't have a lot of time. It's the ultimate side dish for get togethers, potlucks and picnics.

    This recipe is a traditional, classic way to make macaroni salad. The only items I've 'lightened up' are in the dressing: you have the option to use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream and honey as a natural sweeter instead of white sugar.

    Overall this recipe has all the flavors and creaminess of the best old fashioned macaroni salad!

    This macaroni salad makes about 10 servings as a side dish, or about 5 servings as a main dish. If you serve it as a main dish you could also stir in a protein like shredded chicken or shrimp.

    Macaroni salad ingredients.

    Ingredient Notes

    Here's a few popular ingredient additions and substitutions for this recipe:

    Mustard: swap yellow mustard for dijon to give the dressing a stronger mustard flavor.

    Vinegar: use white, white wine or apple cider vinegar.

    Relish: I've used sweet pickle relish in the dressing. For more pickle flavor, add ¼-1/2 cup of chopped sweet pickles into your salad instead.

    Macaroni salad in white bowl.

    How to Make Macaroni Salad

    The full recipe is at the bottom of this page, but here's a quick overview of how to make it:

    Step 1: Cook the Macaroni

    Cook the macaroni according to the package instructions. Strain and rinse it under cold water. 

    PRO TIP: be careful not to overcook your macaroni. You want it to be al dente — cooked but still slightly firm so that your salad doesn't turn out mushy.

    Step 2: Make the Dressing

    While the macaroni cooks, stir together the dressing ingredients in a medium size bowl. 

    Step 3: Mix the Salad

    Add all of the salad ingredients, including the macaroni, to a large bowl and stir in the dressing. Taste and season with additional salt, pepper, or honey (for sweetness) as desired.

    Step 4: Serve

    For best flavor, chill your salad in the fridge for an hour before serving. You can also serve it immediately, but chilling it will allow the flavors to marinate and become stronger.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How do I make my dressing thicker?

    To make your dressing thicker, stir in more yogurt. Taste and adjust he flavors of the dressing as needed, using more vinegar to make it acidic, honey for sweetness, or mustard for tanginess.

    What does macaroni salad go with?

    Macaroni salad is a classic choice for barbecues and picnics. It's popular with cookout foods like hot dogs and hamburgers and pairs well with any hearty main dish. It's also a favorite for holidays like Easter or Christmas dinner.

    Can I make macaroni salad ahead of time?

    Yes, macaroni salad is a great recipe to make ahead of time! I think it tastes even better the next day. Make the recipe as directed and then cover and refrigerate it overnight until you're ready to serve it. Stir well before serving.

    Macaroni salad.

    Storage

    Store your leftover macaroni salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 - 5 days. Stir well before serving leftovers.

    Similar Recipes

    If you love this macaroni salad, you'll want to try these similar classic side dishes:

    • Potato Salad
    • Pasta Salad
    • Tortellini Pasta Salad

    If you try this recipe, I would love to hear your thoughts! Please leave a comment at the bottom of this page. And if you share a photo on social media, I'd love to see it! You can tag me on: Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok.

    Print
    clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
    Macaroni salad.

    Easy Macaroni Salad


    • Author: Megan
    • Total Time: 25 minutes
    • Yield: 10 servings 1x
    • Diet: Vegetarian
    Print Recipe
    Pin Recipe

    Description

    This easy macaroni salad is a classic side dish that's always a crowd favorite! It's a traditional mix of macaroni noodles and finely chopped vegetables in a light and flavorful mayonnaise-based dressing.


    Ingredients

    Scale
    • 1 pound uncooked elbow macaroni
    • 3 stalks celery, finely diced
    • 3 green onions, sliced
    • 1 red bell pepper, finely diced
    • ½ cup minced red onion

    For the dressing:

    • 1 cup mayonnaise
    • ½ cup plain greek yogurt (or sour cream)
    • 2 tablespoons dijon mustard
    • 1 tablespoon white vinegar
    • 1 tablespoon honey
    • 3 teaspoons sweet pickle relish
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • Pinch of black pepper

    Instructions

    1. Cook the macaroni: cook the macaroni according to the package instructions. Strain and rinse it under cold water.
    2. Make the dressing: while the macaroni cooks, stir together the dressing ingredients in a medium bowl.
    3. Mix the salad: add all of the salad ingredients, including the macaroni, to a large bowl and stir in the dressing. Taste and season with additional salt, pepper, or honey (for sweetness) as desired.
    4. Serve: for best flavor, chill in the fridge for an hour before serving.

    Notes

    • Greek yogurt: use whole-fat (instead of non-fat) plain Greek yogurt. Sour cream can also be used instead.
    • Prep Time: 15 minutes
    • Cook Time: 10 minutes
    • Category: Salad, Side Dish
    • Method: Stovetop
    • Cuisine: American

    Nutrition

    • Serving Size: 1/10th of recipe
    • Calories: 283
    • Sugar: 6.2g
    • Sodium: 459mg
    • Fat: 8.7g
    • Saturated Fat: 1.3g
    • Carbohydrates: 44.2g
    • Fiber: 2.1g
    • Protein: 7.3g
    • Cholesterol: 6mg

    Keywords: macaroni salad, pasta, mayonnaise dressing, bbq, side dish, summer, holiday, noodles

    Did you make this recipe?

    Share a photo and tag us @her.wholesome.kitchen — we can't wait to see what you've made!

    More All Salads

    • Tex Mex Chopped Salad
    • Buffalo Chicken Salad
    • Chicken Caprese Salad
    • Big Mac Salad

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆
    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Megan! I'm a health coach & I love to create salad recipes that are simple and delicious.

    Browse all recipes here →

    Categories

    Footer

    • Contact Us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Story Explorer
    Disclaimer: Her Wholesome Kitchen is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. If you purchase through one of our links, we may earn a commission at no cost to you.

    Copyright © 2023 HER WHOLESOME KITCHEN LLC