Get ready to elevate your summer cookouts with this delicious and easy-to-make macaroni salad recipe. Made with fresh ingredients, this dish is always a hit with friends and family.
This salad is so easy that you can whip it up and have it on the table in about twenty minutes. It is perfect for your next patio party or BBQ, but simple enough for a weeknight dinner with New York strip steak and roasted corn. With all the colorful vegetables, the presentation is phenomenal.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
See the complete list of ingredients below on the recipe card.
- Elbow macaroni: You can substitute other small pasta noodles like bowties, small shells, or rotini
- Mayonnaise: I like Duke’s mayo, but you can use your favorite brand.
- Mustard: I prefer the tanginess of Dijon mustard, but you can substitute spicy brown or stone ground mustard.
- Apple cider vinegar: preferably apple cider vinegar, but you can use white wine vinegar or red wine vinegar.
- Sour cream: For the best flavor and texture, use full-fat sour cream.
- Bell pepper: Use any color bell pepper, but orange adds a nice contrast to the red tomatoes.
- Fresh herbs: Such as dill, parsley, chives, or basil.
How to Make Macaroni Salad
This is a summary version; for the complete list of ingredients and instructions, please refer to the recipe card below.
Cook the noodles according to the package instructions and drain well. In a large bowl, whisk together mayo, mustard, cider vinegar, and sour cream. Add the cooked macaroni, peppers, tomatoes, red onion, celery, and parsley. Stir gently to combine. Season with salt and fresh cracked pepper to taste.
Recipe Variations
- Macaroni salad is traditionally made with creamy mayonnaise-based dressings, but it is just as delicious with an oil and vinegar-based dressing.
- All kinds of small or finely diced vegetables can be added, such as peas, broccoli, peppers, celery, onions, cucumbers, carrots, zucchini, radishes, and more.
- Other delicious additions included very small cubes of cheese, spinach, sunflower seeds, jalapenos, pimentos, capers, green onions, and hard-boiled eggs.
Serving Suggestions for Macaroni Salad
Macaroni Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups uncooked macaroni noodles
- ⅔ cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1½ tablespoons cider vinegar
- ¼ cup sour cream
- ½ orange pepper chopped finely
- 1½ cups grape tomatoes halved
- ¼ cup chopped red onion
- 2 ribs celery chopped
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley
- Salt to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook noodles according to the instructions on the box. Drain well.
- In a large bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, mustard, cider vinegar, and sour cream. Add the cooked macaroni, bell peppers, tomatoes, red onion, celery, and parsley. Stir gently to combine. Season with salt and freshly cracked pepper to taste.
Notes
Nutrition
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Lisa
WOW, this looks so delicious. I make macaroni salad but not like this. I have a family picnic this weekend and I am going to make your recipe. Gosh it looks yummy Beth!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Lisa! Enjoy!
Sonya W
Ooooh, this brought back all the summer BBQ vibes! I haven’t had a good classic macaroni salad in forever, and yours was spot on—creamy, colourful, and just the right amount of tang.
Beth Pierce
So glad that you liked it!
Kelly Bolen
Definitely pinning for later! This looks absolutely delicious! And easy to make too!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Kelly!
Angela
This creamy macaroni salad was amazing! I made it for a summer BBQ and everyone just loved it!!
Beth Pierce
So glad that they liked it, Angela!
Anna Grunduls
I literally told my husband that I’m craving a good salad and your recipe was the first thing that came up on my feed! I loved how simple it was to make! So darn delicious.
Kristin
I love this veggie-packed version. It has so much flavor, and it’s a great way to sneak a few vegetables into the kiddos.
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Kristin! I am so happy that you like the pasta salad.
Maria
I absolutely love this classic. It’s such an essential for any summer dinner party. Your version is really good!
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Maria! So happy that you liked it.
Linda
I don’t make my macaroni salad like this. I use elbow macaroni, lots of hard boiled egg (yolks only) I don’t like the whites. Green onion, celery, large chunk sweet pickle relish, tuna, mayonnaise, a touch of mustard, a touch of vinegar, a touch of sugar. Have to have the egg yolks they give great taste.
Anna
To each her own. Yours might be good but it doesn’t sound like any macaroni salad I have ever eaten.
Laura Reese
This was so easy to make! We loved it.
Ashley F.
Such a tasty salad! Love the dijon mustard in it!