Best 12 Classic Macaroni Salad Recipes

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Classic macaroni salad is a timeless dish that has been enjoyed for generations. With its creamy and tangy dressing, delightful combination of flavors, and versatile nature, this salad is a perfect accompaniment to any barbecue, picnic, potluck, or summer gathering. Whether you prefer a traditional recipe or a modern twist, there are countless variations of this classic dish to explore. From simple and straightforward preparations to those with unique ingredients and unexpected flavor combinations, there's a macaroni salad recipe out there to suit every taste and occasion.

Here are our top 12 tried and tested recipes!

CLASSIC MACARONI SALAD



Classic Macaroni Salad image

This classic macaroni salad recipe is a refreshingly light take on an all-time favorite. It's perfect for a fast weeknight dinner or festive weekend barbecue. -Dorothy Bayes, Sardis, Ohio

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch     Side Dishes

Time 30m

Yield 8 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 12

2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
1 cup fat-free mayonnaise
2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish
2 teaspoons sugar
3/4 teaspoon ground mustard
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1/2 cup chopped celery
1/3 cup chopped carrot
1/4 cup chopped onion
1 hard-boiled large egg, chopped
Dash paprika

Steps:

  • Cook macaroni according to package directions; drain and rinse with cold water. Cool completely. , For dressing, in a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, pickle relish, sugar substitute, mustard, salt and pepper. In a large bowl, combine the macaroni, celery, carrot and onion. Add dressing and toss gently to coat. , Refrigerate until serving. Garnish with egg and paprika.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 115 calories, Fat 2g fat (0 saturated fat), Cholesterol 27mg cholesterol, Sodium 362mg sodium, Carbohydrate 21g carbohydrate (6g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 4g protein. Diabetic Exchanges

CHEF JOHN'S CLASSIC MACARONI SALAD



Chef John's Classic Macaroni Salad image

Whether it's sitting next to some smoky ribs or just a humble hot dog, this deli-style macaroni salad will always be a crowd favorite, as long as you pay attention to a few key details.

Provided by Chef John

Categories     Salad     100+ Pasta Salad Recipes     Macaroni Salad Recipes

Time 4h33m

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 16

1 cup mayonnaise
¼ cup white vinegar
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
2 teaspoons kosher salt, or more to taste
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon white sugar, or more to taste
1 cup finely diced celery
¾ cup diced red bell pepper
½ cup grated carrot
½ cup chopped green onions, white and light parts
¼ cup diced jalapeno pepper
¼ cup diced poblano pepper
1 (16 ounce) package uncooked elbow macaroni
1 tablespoon mayonnaise
1 tablespoon water

Steps:

  • Whisk 1 cup mayonnaise, vinegar, Dijon mustard, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper together in a bowl until well blended; whisk in sugar. Stir in celery, red bell pepper, carrot, onions, and jalapeno and poblano peppers. Refrigerate until macaroni is ready to dress.
  • Bring a large pot of well salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until cooked through, 8 to 10 minutes. Drain but do not rinse. Allow macaroni to drain in a colander about 5 minutes, shaking out moisture from time to time. Pour macaroni into large bowl; toss to separate and cool to room temperature. Macaroni should be sticky.
  • Pour dressing over macaroni and stir until dressing is evenly distributed. Cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate at least 4 hours or, ideally, overnight to allow dressing to absorb into the macaroni.
  • Stir salad before serving. Mix 1 tablespoon mayonnaise and 1 tablespoon water into salad for fresher look.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 294.5 calories, Carbohydrate 32 g, Cholesterol 7.4 mg, Fat 16.1 g, Fiber 1.9 g, Protein 5.4 g, SaturatedFat 2.4 g, Sodium 508.1 mg, Sugar 3.2 g

HELLMANN'S CLASSIC MACARONI SALAD



Hellmann's Classic Macaroni Salad image

A longtime favorite of my family. We don't have an outdoor summer gathering without this and Hellmann's Original Potato Salad. Can't go wrong with these delicious recipes. FYI: because of the mayo content, we put the bowl of salad into a slightly larger-sized bowl filled halfway with ice to keep the salads cold and fresh.

Provided by aHardDaysNight

Categories     Summer

Time 25m

Yield 5 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 10

8 ounces elbow macaroni
1 cup Hellmann's mayonnaise
2 tablespoons vinegar
1 tablespoon hellmann's Dijonnaise mustard
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 cup thinly sliced celery
1 cup chopped green bell pepper
1/4 cup chopped onion

Steps:

  • Cook macaroni according to package directions; drain and rinse with cold water until completely cool.
  • In large bowl, combine Hellmann's® or Best Foods® Real Mayonnaise, vinegar, Mustard, sugar, salt and pepper.
  • Stir in macaroni, celery, green pepper and onion.
  • Serve chilled or at room temperature.

HEALTHIER CLASSIC MACARONI SALAD



Healthier Classic Macaroni Salad image

Making this salad with less sugar and whole wheat noodles makes it a healthy treat for the entire family.

Provided by MakeItHealthy

Categories     Salad     100+ Pasta Salad Recipes     Macaroni Salad Recipes

Time 4h30m

Yield 10

Number Of Ingredients 13

4 cups whole wheat elbow macaroni
1 cup mayonnaise
¼ cup distilled white vinegar
⅓ cup white sugar
2 ½ tablespoons prepared yellow mustard
1 ½ teaspoons salt
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
1 large onion, chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
1 green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
¼ cup grated carrot
2 tablespoons chopped pimento peppers

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni in boiling water, stirring occasionally until cooked through but firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Rinse under cold water and drain.
  • Mix mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, mustard, salt, and pepper together in a large bowl. Stir in onion, celery, green bell pepper, red bell pepper, carrot, pimentos, and macaroni. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight, before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 281.3 calories, Carbohydrate 28.1 g, Cholesterol 8.4 mg, Fat 18 g, Fiber 3 g, Protein 4.2 g, SaturatedFat 2.7 g, Sodium 529.9 mg, Sugar 8.7 g

CREAMY CLASSIC MACARONI SALAD



Creamy Classic Macaroni Salad image

This has been one of my family favorites for years. I believe it came from Hellman's originally but I have modified it somewhat and only use Kraft Mayo.

Provided by joan in CNY

Categories     < 30 Mins

Time 28m

Yield 5 cups

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon vinegar
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice (not from concentrate)
1 tablespoon prepared mustard (I use dijon)
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
8 ounces elbow macaroni, cooked, drained (I use the Barilla brand-it has the little ridges in it that helps to hold the dressing in-also use i)
1 cup sliced celery
1 cup chopped green peppers or 1 cup red pepper
1/4 cup chopped onion

Steps:

  • Combine first 6 ingredients.
  • Stir in remaining ingredients.
  • Cover, chill (I alway top this with a sprinkle of paprika).

CLASSIC MACARONI SALAD



Classic Macaroni Salad image

This is a salad that everyone seems to love. I always get lots of compliments on this recipe and it is just a pleasing taste that seems to suit everyone.

Provided by Graden

Categories     Salad     100+ Pasta Salad Recipes     Vegetarian Pasta Salad Recipes

Time 4h30m

Yield 10

Number Of Ingredients 12

4 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
1 cup mayonnaise
¼ cup distilled white vinegar
⅔ cup white sugar
2 ½ tablespoons prepared yellow mustard
1 ½ teaspoons salt
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
1 large onion, chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
1 green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
¼ cup grated carrot
2 tablespoons chopped pimento peppers

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the macaroni, and cook until tender, about 8 minutes. Rinse under cold water and drain.
  • In a large bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, mustard, salt and pepper. Stir in the onion, celery, green pepper, carrot, pimentos and macaroni. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours before serving, but preferably overnight.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 390 calories, Carbohydrate 49.3 g, Cholesterol 8.4 mg, Fat 18.7 g, Fiber 2.8 g, Protein 6.8 g, SaturatedFat 2.8 g, Sodium 528.6 mg, Sugar 15.5 g

HELLMANN'S CLASSIC MACARONI SALAD



Hellmann's Classic Macaroni Salad image

The best macaroni salad ever! There is a same titled recipe on food.com but it calls for a different type of mustard. I'm not sure when they changed the recipe but I prefer this version.

Provided by Hoddevik

Categories     Low Cholesterol

Time 25m

Yield 8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons vinegar
1 tablespoon prepared mustard
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
8 ounces elbow macaroni, cooked and drained
1 cup celery, sliced
1 cup green bell pepper, chopped (may use red pepper)
1/4 cup onion, chopped

Steps:

  • Combine first 6 ingredients.
  • Stir in remaining ingredients.
  • Cover, chill.
  • Makes 5 cups.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 238.5, Fat 10.4, SaturatedFat 1.6, Cholesterol 7.6, Sodium 533.6, Carbohydrate 32, Fiber 1.6, Sugar 4.1, Protein 4.6

CLASSIC MACARONI SALAD



Classic Macaroni Salad image

Provided by Kelsey Nixon

Time 20m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons sour cream
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon sherry vinegar
2 teaspoons sugar
Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper
1/2-pound macaroni pasta, cooked and rinsed (about 4 cups cooked)
1 tablespoon roughly chopped fresh dill
2 large stalks celery, diced
1 small red bell pepper, seeded and diced
1/2 small red onion, diced and rinsed in cold water
Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper

Steps:

  • For the dressing: Whisk the mayonnaise, sour cream, mustard, vinegar and sugar together in a small bowl or glass measuring cup. Season with salt and pepper.
  • For the pasta: In a large mixing bowl, combine the macaroni, dill, celery, bell pepper and red onion. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper. Serve immediately or keep up to 2 days in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

CLASSIC MACARONI SALAD



Classic Macaroni Salad image

Make and share this Classic Macaroni Salad recipe from Food.com.

Provided by CJAY8248

Categories     < 30 Mins

Time 30m

Yield 4 1/2 cup, 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 10

2 cups cooked macaroni
2 eggs, chopped
1/4 cup celery, diced
1/4 cup onion, diced
1/3-1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 teaspoons sugar
2 teaspoons vinegar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon prepared mustard
pepper

Steps:

  • Mix all ingredients in large bowl. Chill thoroughly.

CLASSIC MACARONI SALAD WITH A TWIST



Classic Macaroni Salad with a Twist image

If you want to do something new with an old classic, give this one a shot.

Provided by babcockclan

Categories     Salad     100+ Pasta Salad Recipes     Macaroni Salad Recipes

Time 40m

Yield 10

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 (16 ounce) package elbow macaroni
12 ½ ounces chopped cooked white-meat chicken
1 cup mayonnaise
1 (8 ounce) can pineapple tidbits in juice, drained, juice reserved
½ cup chopped cilantro
¼ cup finely chopped red onion
1 teaspoon salt

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until cooked through but firm to the bite, 8 minutes; drain. Rinse macaroni with cold water until cool; drain.
  • Mix macaroni, chicken, mayonnaise, pineapple with about half the reserved juice, cilantro, red onion, and salt together in a large bowl.
  • Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate until chilled, at least 15 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 417.4 calories, Carbohydrate 38.1 g, Cholesterol 36 mg, Fat 22.6 g, Fiber 1.7 g, Protein 15 g, SaturatedFat 4 g, Sodium 385.4 mg, Sugar 4.9 g

CLASSIC MACARONI SALAD



Classic Macaroni Salad image

I have to be honest- I'm really not a big fan of macaroni salad, but when I found this one I really liked it. I hope you do, too! It is really creamy and the veggies add a nice touch.

Provided by Munchkin Mama

Categories     Potluck

Time 30m

Yield 10-15 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 13

8 ounces elbow macaroni, cooked and drained
1/2 cup celery, chopped
1 onion, chopped
1 teaspoon dried parsley
2 carrots, coarsely grated
6 hard-boiled eggs, peeled and chopped
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 1/2 cups water
1/4 cup flour
1/2 cup vinegar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup mayonnaise (the real stuff)
1/4 cup mustard

Steps:

  • Combine cooked macaroni, celery, onion, parsley, carrots, and eggs; set aside.
  • Boil the next 5 ingredients until sugar and flour dissolve; allow to cool.
  • Stir in mayo and mustard; pour over macaroni mixture. Mix well.
  • Serve cold.

CLASSIC MACARONI SALAD



Classic Macaroni Salad image

This makes ALOT of salad so you may want to half the recipe for a smaller family

Provided by Carmen Gonzales

Categories     Pasta Salads

Time 25m

Number Of Ingredients 11

4 c uncooked elbow macaroni
1 c mayonnaise or miracle whip
1/4 c red wine vinegar
2/3 c white sugar
2 1/2 Tbsp prepared yellow mustard
1 1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
1 large onion chopped
2 large celery stalks chopped
1 medium bell pepper seeded and chopped
1 large tomato chopped

Steps:

  • 1. 1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the macaroni, and cook until tender, about 8 minutes. Rinse under cold water and drain. 2. In a large bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, mustard, salt and pepper. Stir in the onion, celery, green pepper, tomato and macaroni. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours before serving, but preferably overnight.

Tips:

  • For the best macaroni salad, use high-quality ingredients. Look for fresh, firm vegetables and a flavorful mayonnaise. If you have the time, making your own mayonnaise is a great way to ensure a delicious and creamy dressing.
  • Cook the macaroni according to the package directions, but be sure not to overcook it. The pasta should be al dente, or slightly firm to the bite. This will help it hold its shape and texture in the salad.
  • While the macaroni is cooking, prepare the vegetables. Cut them into small, bite-sized pieces so that they are easy to eat. You can use any vegetables you like in your macaroni salad, but some popular choices include celery, onion, carrots, and bell peppers.
  • Once the macaroni and vegetables are cooked, let them cool completely before assembling the salad. This will help to prevent the salad from becoming soggy.
  • Use a light hand when mixing the macaroni salad. You don't want to break up the pasta or vegetables. Stir the salad gently until the ingredients are evenly combined.
  • Season the macaroni salad to taste with salt and pepper. You can also add other seasonings, such as garlic powder, onion powder, or dried herbs, to taste.
  • Serve the macaroni salad immediately, or chill it for later. Macaroni salad can be enjoyed as a side dish or as a main course. It's also a great dish to take to picnics and potlucks.

Conclusion:

Macaroni salad is a classic side dish that is perfect for any occasion. It's easy to make and can be customized to your liking. With a few simple tips, you can make a delicious and refreshing macaroni salad that everyone will enjoy.

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