Packed with colorful vegetables, a perfectly creamy dressing, and just the right hint of tang, The Best Macaroni Salad truly lives up to its name. This is the kind of dish that evokes backyard cookouts, spirited family gatherings, and sunny picnics, where everyone goes back for “just one more scoop.” With its delightful crunch and classic flavor, this recipe is destined to be a new favorite at any occasion!

The Best Macaroni Salad Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of The Best Macaroni Salad is how each ingredient is simple yet plays a crucial role in creating that luscious texture and classic flavor. Every bite is a balance of creaminess, crunch, and a little zing — all thanks to this thoughtfully chosen lineup.

Elbow macaroni (1 pound): The classic shape for macaroni salad, it holds the creamy dressing perfectly in every nook and cranny.
Mayonnaise (1 cup): The foundation of that irresistibly rich and creamy dressing — don’t skimp here!
Sour cream (2 tablespoons): Adds a subtle tang that balances out the richness of the mayo.
Dijon mustard (1 tablespoon): A little touch goes a long way for depth and a gentle sharpness.
Apple cider vinegar (2 teaspoons): Lifts the entire salad with a refreshing tartness that wakes up your taste buds.
Sugar (1 teaspoon): Just enough to round out the tang and bring all the flavors together.
Garlic powder (½ teaspoon): An easy way to add that subtle, savory undertone without overpowering.
Salt (½ teaspoon): Essential for enhancing all of the flavors.
Black pepper (¼ teaspoon): A little heat to balance the creaminess — freshly ground is best!
Celery, finely chopped (½ cup): Provides welcome crunch and freshness in every bite.
Red bell pepper, finely chopped (½ cup): Brings juicy sweetness and gorgeous color that makes this salad pop.
Red onion, finely chopped (¼ cup): Just enough for kick and a touch of sharpness, never overwhelming.
Sweet pickle relish (¼ cup): Adds a subtly sweet, tangy burst that ties everything together.
Hard-boiled eggs, chopped (2): Classic comfort and extra creaminess — you’ll really taste the difference!
Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish): Optional, but adds a fresh, herby finish that looks as good as it tastes.

How to Make The Best Macaroni Salad

Step 1: Cook and Cool the Macaroni

To start, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook your elbow macaroni until it’s just al dente, according to package instructions. The key to an irresistibly creamy salad is pasta that holds its shape but isn’t too soft. Once it’s cooked, thoroughly drain it and rinse it under cold water — this stops the cooking and cools the noodles, ensuring your salad stays beautifully fluffy and never mushy.

Step 2: Make the Creamy Dressing

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, sugar, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Whisk vigorously until it’s completely smooth and silky. This makes the backbone of The Best Macaroni Salad: a dressing that’s creamy but never heavy, with just the right balance of tang and sweetness.

Step 3: Add Fresh Veggies and Mix-ins

Now comes the fun part — bringing in color and crunch! To your bowl of dressing, add the well-drained macaroni, celery, red bell pepper, red onion, sweet pickle relish, and chopped hard-boiled eggs. With a spatula or big spoon, gently fold everything together until every noodle is evenly coated and there’s a pop of veggies in every bite. Take a little taste — it’s already bursting with flavor!

Step 4: Chill and Let the Flavors Meld

Cover your bowl and pop it in the fridge for at least one hour (or longer if you can wait). This chilling time is what transforms everything into The Best Macaroni Salad — the dressing soaks into the pasta, the flavors mingle, and everything becomes perfectly harmonious. Right before serving, give it another gentle stir and taste for seasoning. A sprinkle of chopped parsley right on top adds a lovely fresh finish.

How to Serve The Best Macaroni Salad

Garnishes

For an effortlessly polished look, finish your bowl with a generous sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley. If you want to get extra fancy, try a dusting of smoked paprika or a few thin rings of sliced red onion on top. Even a few extra pieces of diced bell pepper can give it a festive, colorful appeal. These little touches can make The Best Macaroni Salad stand out on any spread.

Side Dishes

The Best Macaroni Salad is the ultimate companion for summer classics — think smoky grilled burgers, BBQ chicken, or veggie kebabs. Its creamy, cool texture makes it the perfect foil to anything hot off the grill. It’s just as fantastic paired with sandwiches, fried chicken, or even as part of a potluck buffet alongside baked beans and crunchy coleslaw.

Creative Ways to Present

Beyond the big serving bowl, try scooping The Best Macaroni Salad into individual mason jars or mini cups for picnics and parties. It’s also fun to scoop it into lettuce cups or stuff it into hollowed-out bell peppers for a colorful, edible bowl. If you’re feeling playful, layer it parfait-style in clear glasses with extra veggies for eye-catching appeal.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover The Best Macaroni Salad keeps beautifully in the fridge for up to four days. Store it in an airtight container to keep the flavors fresh and prevent the salad from drying out. If you find the pasta has soaked up some of the dressing, simply stir in a spoonful of mayonnaise before serving to make it creamy again.

Freezing

While tempting to save batches for later, freezing isn’t recommended for The Best Macaroni Salad. The creamy dressing can separate and get watery, and the veggies may lose their satisfying crunch. For optimal texture and flavor, enjoy it fresh from the fridge, not the freezer!

Reheating

No reheating needed here! The Best Macaroni Salad is meant to be served cold or at room temperature — perfect for make-ahead planning and easy serving straight from the fridge. If you like, let it sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before serving so the flavors shine.

FAQs

Can I use a different kind of pasta?

Absolutely! While elbow macaroni is the classic choice for The Best Macaroni Salad, you can swap in small shells, ditalini, or even rotini for a fun twist. Just keep the pasta bite-sized so it holds the dressing well.

What’s the secret to getting the dressing super creamy?

The biggest secret is the combination of mayo and sour cream — they work together for a perfectly thick but pourable texture. Chilling the salad and mixing just before serving also helps the flavors meld and the pasta to stay creamy rather than dry.

Can I make The Best Macaroni Salad egg-free?

Yes! Simply leave out the hard-boiled eggs. For a little extra richness, you can add more mayo or even a bit of diced avocado, if you like a creamy bite without the eggs.

How can I make this salad a little tangier?

For more tang, try adding a splash of pickle juice, extra apple cider vinegar, or even a dash of hot sauce. Just taste as you go so you don’t overpower the lovely balance of flavors in The Best Macaroni Salad.

Is this recipe vegetarian?

It sure is! The Best Macaroni Salad contains no meat and uses eggs for added creaminess and protein. If you need it completely egg-free (for allergies or vegan preferences), see the tip above for easy swaps.

Final Thoughts

The Best Macaroni Salad isn’t just another side dish — it’s a beloved classic that always brings people together. Whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue, planning a holiday feast, or just craving a nostalgic taste of summer, give this recipe a try. It’s easy, endlessly adaptable, and guaranteed to disappear fast. Give it a go and see why it truly earns its title!

The Best Macaroni Salad Recipe

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4.7 from 24 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Yield: 8 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

A classic and creamy macaroni salad that is perfect for summer picnics and potlucks. This recipe features a tangy dressing with a mix of crunchy vegetables and eggs, all tossed with al dente macaroni.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

1 pound elbow macaroni
1 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons sour cream
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon sugar
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper

Additional Ingredients:

½ cup celery (finely chopped)
½ cup red bell pepper (finely chopped)
¼ cup red onion (finely chopped)
¼ cup sweet pickle relish
2 hard-boiled eggs (chopped)
Chopped fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

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Instructions

Cook the Macaroni: Cook macaroni according to package instructions, drain, rinse under cold water, and cool completely.
Prepare Dressing: In a large bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, mustard, vinegar, sugar, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until smooth.
Combine Ingredients: Add macaroni, celery, bell pepper, onion, relish, and eggs to the bowl. Stir well to coat everything in the dressing.
Chill and Serve: Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Garnish with parsley before serving.