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This Easy Macaroni Salad is my go to dish to bring to potlucks, BBQ’s, parties and more. It is loaded with lots of delicious veggies, cheese and more!
The mayonnaise is the secret to making the salad creamy. You can certainly try reduced fat or light versions but I don’t recommend it. You want this easy salad recipe to be really creamy and sometimes the light version make it taste watered down.
This Shrimp Macaroni Salad is another family favorite that is a must try.
What's in this post: Easy Macaroni Salad
Why I Love this Recipe
I love to make this Easy Macaroni Salad. It’s super easy and everyone always loves this easy summer salad. This Easy Macaroni Salad is budget friendly and makes feeding a crowd a breeze!
This Best Macaroni Salad Recipe is creamy and delicious. The veggies combined with the cheese really make this simple side dish hearty and tasty. We have even sprinkle in tsp of sweet paprika.
It is the perfect compliment to hot dogs with the Best Coleslaw, BBQ Ranch Grilled Chicken, and more! We even like it with Jalapeno Poppers Burger Sliders Recipe.
Ingredients
- Elbow Macaroni Noodles – You can use other types of small noodles
- Cheddar Cheese – You can use cube cheese but shredded cheese works great too
- Red Onion, Celery Stalks, Red Bell Pepper – Chop veggies with a vegetable chopper to ensure that it is about the same size.
- Mayo – Use full fat mayonnaise
- Apple Cider Vinegar – If you are out, see The Best Apple Cider Vinegar Substitutes. White vinegar is a great substitute
- Fresh Dill – See The Best Fresh Dill Substitutes if you are out
- Sugar – We used granulated sugar
- Dijon Mustard – You can also use regular mustard
For the full list of ingredients and the recipe card, scroll down to the recipe card.
Simple Macaroni Salad Additions
- Mayo Substitute – You can also substitute some of the mayo with sour cream. It will make it the sauce more tangy so just keep that in mind. You might want to try half mayo and half sour cream.
- Add Vegetables – This macaroni salad is even better with added veggies. Add in sliced cherry tomatoes, carrots, pickles, sweet pickle relish, green bell pepper
- Hard Boiled Eggs – Hard boiled eggs are also good in the salad and add protein. Diced ham is also a great addition.
- Shredded Parmesan Cheese – When serving top the easy macaroni salad with parmesan cheese for added flavor.
How to Make Macaroni Salad Recipe
Step 1 – Boil macaroni according to package instructions. You want the pasta to still be firm so cook until al dente in a large pot with salted water. Immediately rinse under cold water and drain so it isn’t sticky and prevents it from over cooking. Drain well.
Step 2 – In a large bowl, toss together cooked pasta with the cubed cheese, onion, celery, bell pepper, and peas.
Step 3 – In a small mixing bowl, whisk together ½ cup mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, dill, 2 tbsp sugar, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper.
Step 4 – Pour the macaroni salad dressing over the pasta and stir until everything is well coated.
Step 5 – Cover bowl with plastic wrap and chill at least 30 minutes to 1 hour before serving.
Step 6 – Top with fresh dill or fresh parsley, kosher salt and black pepper. Enjoy!
Expert Tips
- Cooking Pasta – Make sure that you do not over cook the pasta. Over cooked pasta will make this macaroni salad mushy. Watch the pasta closely when cooking, cook to al dente and rinse with cold water immediately to stop the cooking process.
- Chill Macaroni Salad – Ensure that you refrigerate this salad before. Chilling the salad gives it time for the flavors to meld together.
- Ingredients – Make sure to use fresh ingredients when making this macaroni salad. This will help to keep the salad fresh.
What to Serve with Pasta Salad
This pasta salad recipe is perfect to serve with your favorite grilling recipes. I love serving this recipe at barbecues, picnics and any outdoor event.
Here are a few of my favorite recipes that I love serving with this easy macaroni salad.
Frequently Asked Questions
When making this macaroni salad, we think it is best to stick with full fat real mayo. It gives the salad the best texture and is so creamy.
Traditional Southern macaroni salad has mayonnaise, cheese, vinegar and a few veggies. You can easily add or omit the ingredients you do not like.
A very simple version is just tomato and cheese with the mayo or Italian dressing. Cheddar cheese cubed is what is traditionally in this salad. You can mix it up with pepper jack or other cheeses though for something different. Classic Macaroni Salad uses elbow macaroni but you can use what you prefer or have on hand.
You can store leftover pasta salad for up to five days. Simply, scoop it out of the bowl and transfer it into an airtight container. Add the lid, and keep it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to eat it.
More Cold Pasta Salad Recipes
Easy Side Dishes
Italian Pasta Salad
Easy Side Dishes
Easy Pasta Salad
Easy Side Dishes
Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
Easy Side Dishes
Ramen Noodle Salad
We love to hear from you. If you make this Easy Macaroni Salad Recipe, please leave us a comment or a star review.
Easy Macaroni Salad
Ingredients
- 1 lb elbow macaroni
- 6 oz cheddar cheese cubed
- ½ red onion minced
- 4 celery stalks diced
- 1 red bell pepper diced
- 1 cup frozen peas
- ½ cup mayo
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup fresh dill
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Cook the elbow macaroni until al dente. You want them still firm. Immediately run the pasta under cold water so it isn’t sticky and prevents it from over cooking. Drain well.
- In a large mixing bowl, toss together cooked pasta with the cubed cheese, onion, celery, bell pepper, and peas.
- In a small mixing bowl, mix together mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, dill, sugar, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper.
- Pour the mixture over the pasta and toss until everything is well coated. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and chill at least 1 hour before serving. Enjoy!
Perfect r
Could you post the Nutrition Facts list with carbs, calories, etc. Thx.?
The nutritional information is listed at the bottom of the recipe card after the video.
This is truly now my favorite macaroni salad!! I added some sliced hard boiled eggs and it was perfect, otherwise don’t change a thing. My family all loved it ??
I love hearing this! Thank you so much for sharing!
Made this and it was awesome!!!!!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it Kathy! Thank you for the positive review!
Wonderful Ymmmm
I love this recipe so much thank you.
Thank you so much Debbie!
Very good!!
I have made this for years with variations depending on what is on hand and how much time I have. Typically I use rigatoni pasta, green onions, hard boiled eggs, cheese shredded, and canned sweet tender baby peas, they are more expensive but worth it. Also my husband like mayo and dill pickles I don’t. So I found a way to compromise; I used half and half mayo and miracle whip, half and half sweet pickle relish and dill relish and the final touch is crab meat. I also add regular mustard, not much just a small amount. I think no matter how you make this it will be a hit for your family and there really is no right or wrong.
Thanks so much for your comment!
Sounds delicious,I will try. adding 1 T sugar instead of 2.
Looks and tastes Great !!!!
GURL, this is some good Macaroni Salad, thanks for the recipe!! My husband loves it better than mine!
So glad you loved it! I love this recipe.
We love this !! But the dill is very strong for 1/4 cup.so I broke it down some especially for the 1x . Perfect amount.
Maybe a dumb question, but did you put the peas in frozen?
I allowed them to thaw slightly but they will thaw as the salad marinades together.
Enjoy these quick and easy recipes
Dressing for me lacked something. Maybe garlic?? It is kind of a ranch style dressing. I would prefer a touch more creamy and will try adding sour cream (as one other user did) along with some garlic to give it a bit more punch.
This was the best dressing. Just left out the sugar, we prefer tangy to sweet. Through in a can of tuna to make it main meal.
Great salad! Next time I will just use dried dill weed. I really didn’t care for the texture of the fresh.
Great recipe! Someone mentioned cutting back on the Dijon so I only used 1-1/2 Tb. I cut back on the sugar a bit because I didn’t want it too sweet. I had a hard boiled egg sitting around so I very finely chopped that up (because Gods forbid anyone should discover there was EGG in there!) Everything else the same but only used about 12 oz of pasta. Will definitely make this again.
This recipe is WONDERFUL as written (I’ve been cooking/preparing foods for 50+ years, so I know a good recipe when I see it!). I was looking for something at least a little bit “different” (and cheap) to make for a (small) Memorial Day get-together when I came upon it, and I couldn’t have been more thrilled. At the same time, my Daughter is allergic to Celery (I usually use Anise bulbs as a substitute, but I won’t be doing that for this Salad — too overbearing in my opinion) and I don’t have some of the ingredients on hand, so — at least for THIS time — my Salad for this weekend is going to consist of chopped Sweet Onions (rather than Red), chopped Jalapeno Peppers and some Sun-Dried Tomatoes in lieu of the Red Pepper and Peas, Anise fronds in lieu of of the Dill, and shredded “Fiesta Mix” in lieu of the Cheddar Cheese while halving the “proportions” for all other ingredients. I totally and absolutely LOVE Macaroni Salad, so I am most definitely looking forward to making it “your way” at some time in the VERY near future! Thank you, Carrie, for the INSPIRATION.
Absolutely DELICIOUS. I hate that super mayonnaise-y deli Mac salad. Phenomenal. Just added some diced ham. It was a HUGE hit. Thank you!!!
Just made this recipe today and it was really good. I will be making it again. Thanks
Can you sub fresh dill and use dill weed instead?
I just made this for a BBQ gathering tomorrow afternoon. It looks beautiful, colorful and it tastes really good! I can’t wait to taste it tomorrow after it kisses and mingles all night! Thank you for such a great recipe!
I’m so glad you liked it.
Carrie…
Made your Macaroni salad and changed but one ingredient…instead of adding dill, I added 4oz of sour cream to the wet mixture….my guests were impressed and requested the recipe. Thank you for providing a most delicious recipe…added not only flavors but good conversation.
Sid Formica
I’m so glad you liked it.
So good! This is my go-to macaroni salad recipe! One comment was how nice it wasn’t “so mayo-e” & covered in mayo, it’s just the right amount! Thank you!
Had so many things to use out of my garden.. I love the dressing .. Thank you for all the tips.. Rebecca
Oh that sounds delicious!
Delicious! Instead of red onions and apple cider vinegar, I used green onions and rice vinegar. Left out dill because for me, its overpowering. Loved the addition of cheese and the dressing was perfect.
Thank you for commenting. I’ll have to try your variations.
This macaroni salad was delicious. Just all the flavors blended together, the texture with the celery and bell peppers made for a surprising “treat”. Gotta make another one!!
Made this for dinner last night with baked chicken…so good! Printed to save and share.
This was easy and delicious! Even my pickiest eaters gobbled it up!
Great recipe!!
Macaroni salad is a favorite. I made this tonight, the best macaroni salad I believe I have ever eaten. Followed recipe, just added dry dill weed, paprika, a bit of dill pickle relish. Added a mix of dijon, honey mustard and yellow mustard. The dressing makes this salad taste so great. We definitely be making this from now on.
If you are worried about the peas not being cooked then put them in the colander and poor the noodles over them.
This salad is delicious! Next time I will double the dressing recipe as there wasn’t that much and by the next day most of it had been absorbed into the pasta. Other than that this is delicious!!
Hubby loved this Mac Salad … me too ??
Very tasty & so easy to put together .
Thanks for a great recipe!
I made this recipe today. It was so good ! This is a keeper.
I like my mac salad with lots of mayo and I like my mac cooked good I dont like firm mac just too chewy for me I make mine with cubed cheese green onions, peas and a can of good tuna and lots of mayo lol
Seriously yummy yummy! Did sliced black olives instead of peas, hubby not a fan. Followed recipe other than that and is awesome! Thank you bunches!
I made this but used macaroni, diced ham, Vidalia onion, peas, cheddar & pepper jack cheese & the dressing was perfect. It is delicious.
So glad you enjoyed it!
Left out the cheese cubes and ACV; was wonderful taste and crunch!
So glad you enjoyed it!
Won’t look at any other recipe for macaroni salad. This is the best! Husband wants it again tonight. Unusual for him. YUM!! thank you
Thank you so much Katie!
Made this a couple weeks ago and loved it! So did my friend who can be harder to please. Made it again this afternoon to go with some grilled kebabs tonight. My new go-to macaroni salad! Thanks!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
I made this for supper today, and it is delicious. Used dried dill weed and adjusted the quantity. Great taste due to the dressing! I would definitely bring this to a potluck or picnic. Thanks for the recipe.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Thank you!
I don’t comment a lot on recipes, but this was really good. The only things I did different was use a tablespoon of dried dill instead of fresh and I added another 1/4 cup of mayo. Definitely will be something I’ll make often!
Thank you! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Thanks For Sharing this amazing recipe. My family loved it. I will be sharing this recipe with my friends. Hope the will like it.
I have an important question and I making this dish tonight for tomorrow’s event. It says to just add the frozen peas so does that mean I do not prepare them before hand?
We did not cook them before adding them. I stirred them in frozen and then the peas were defrosted out by the time it was time to serve and it worked great!
Mayo doesn’t need refrigeration. I always thought so until I read a Dear Abby years ago. Someone challenged her about so she got in touch with the Kraft Mayo people. They said that it wasn’t necessary. It was the vinegar and pasteurized eggs as I recall. And for the last 20 years or so I rarely put my Mayo in the fridge. As long as the lid is on to keep it from turning green you’re good to go.
Thanks for sharing! I didn’t know this either!
I made this a couple of days ago and it is absolutely delicious!
Thank you Trudy! I’m glad you enjoyed it!
I made this EXACTLY as shown – very, very good! I confess I added some chopped black olives, but they neither added or subtracted from taste of salad. I would recommend!
Thank you so much Susan – I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Was wondering how adding bacon bits would work in this salad? Want to make for Easter dinner…thanks
I haven’t tried that but it sounds delicious!
This is the MOST DELICIOUS Macaroni Salad any of our Family have ever eaten, thank you SO MUCH?? It will DEFINITELY become a regular Meal for us, and our new BBQ and Church Dinner Salad too! We made it with your half Sour Cream/half Mayonnaise suggestion, and the only changes we had to make, because of my annoying allergies, were swapping frozen peas and red onion for lightly fried zucchini and Spring Onions.
Thank you so much! I’m glad you enjoyed it!
For Pansy,
When I see fresh dill at the supermarket, I buy it and wash it when I get home and chop it and freeze it. You can then just chip it into your recipe with a fork while it is still frozen. Works really well and then you always have fresh dill.
Great tip! Thanks for sharing!
I HAVE MADE THIS AND WILL AGAIN……..( A-W-E-S-O-M-E ) THANK YOU!!!
Thank you Pauline!
Can’t wait to try this recipe while camping. Yum.
Just made this macaroni salad! It is delicious! Will become one of my favorites!! Yummy!
I’m glad you loved it!
The mayo is pasteurized so it isn’t the culprit. It is the fresh onion that will go bad. The vinegar helps keep it fresh. I seldom have fresh dill. How can I use dill weed?
I made this exactly as the recipe is posted. It is delicious! The best macaroni salad I’ve ever tried!
I’m so glad you loved it!
The recipe looks great. I have family members who don’t like dill. Any suggestions for a substitute.
This is so good but could you use red wine vinegar instead of apple cider vinegar?
The first time I made this I forgot the dijon and used vegan mayo and pasta and omitted the cheese to avoid life threatening egg/milk allergies – everyone loved it – even those without allergies. The next time I used traditional mayo and elbows and added the dijon and the cheese. Still delicious, but more of a tang. Next time I think I will cut the dijon to 1 Tablespoon for comparison. It is a traditional “macoroni” salad recipe that takes me back to my youth.
Great to hear Michelle! Thank you so much for sharing.
This really sounds good ! , I love macaroni I salad !
thank you!
I love the macaroni I made it very delicious. Do you have recipe for Cole Slaw.
Great to hear! Here is a great coleslaw recipe – https://www.eatingonadime.com/best-coleslaw-recipe/.
I made this last night with leftovers from an 8# roast chicken which needed to be used. The temperature was over 90, so I did not want to heat up the kitchen. I put in boiled egg instead of cheese. I mixed mayo with honey Dijon which had a great flavor for the chicken. There is a small bit left for one serving tomorrow.
Yum – Great idea to add the chicken to make it a complete meal. Yummy!
Looks good!! I put everything in mine though:
Ham, peas, cheese, onion, celery, eggs, tomato, mayo, mustard, dill pickle juice and s&p. Macaroni or shells.
Actually mayonnaise is getting a bad rap. It is acidic and actually helps keep the salad from going bad. It is not the culprit.
I put tuna fish in my macaroni salad
Best recipe! I’m not a great cook but took this to a pot luck and everyone loves it!
This recipe is wonderful!!!!! I didn’t change anything about it and everyone at the party wanted the recipe. This recipe is a keeper. ???
This is an amazing recipe! The dressing makes it. I substituted the peas for celery and the ACV with pickle juice. Ahhh-maazing. I also added an orange bell pepper… you could add any vegetable you’d like really.
I’ll be making this regularly. Thanks for sharing!
Love this for summer BBQ