Macaroni Salad
Macaroni Salad is a classic side that’s creamy, refreshing, and super easy to prepare. It’s perfect for BBQs, picnics, potlucks, and any time you want a tasty side dish!
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Why You Will Love This Macaroni Salad
Ingredients Needed for the Best Macaroni Salad Recipe
Ingredient quantities for this easy macaroni salad recipe are located in the recipe card at the end of the post.
- Elbow macaroni pasta
- Mayonnaise
- Sour cream
- Relish
- Mustard
- Salt
- Pepper
- Sugar
- White vinegar
- Sweet pickles
- Red bell pepper
- Celery stalks
- Red onion
- Carrots
- Hard-boiled eggs
Feel free to customize this with other veggies, or by adding cheese (cubed or shredded), bacon, etc.
How To Make Macaroni Salad (Quick Overview)
The steps below are just a quick overview of how to make the salad. The full process in detail is located in the recipe card at the end of the post.
Cook the pasta according to the package instructions, then drain and let it cool.
Into a mixing bowl, add mayonnaise, sour cream, relish, mustard, salt, pepper, sugar, and white vinegar…
… and stir until it’s well-mixed.
Toss the cooled pasta into the dressing and mix it up so everything’s coated.
Add in the rest of the ingredients and give it a good toss. Adjust the salt and pepper to your liking.
Cover it up and pop it in the fridge for at least 90 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Easy Cookout Side Dishes
Hosting a cookout or looking for a delicious dish to bring? Check out these options:
- Be the star of your next gathering with this broccoli salad recipe! With its bold, crave-worthy flavors, it’s guaranteed to vanish from the table in no time.
- Nothing says summer like homemade potato salad! It’s the ultimate cookout sidekick—vibrant, flavorful, and stress-free. Prep it ahead of time and let the compliments roll in!
- Bring the bold Mediterranean vibes to your table with this Italian antipasto salad. Packed with irresistible flavors, it’s a guaranteed crowd favorite that’ll disappear fast.
- Beat the summer heat with this fresh, juicy chicken corn salad. Perfect for your next picnic or BBQ, it’s light, satisfying, and oh-so-refreshing!
- Add some zing to your summer spread with this garbanzo bean salad. Cool, zesty, and full of flavor, it’s the perfect picnic essential.
- Sweet, savory, and bursting with summer vibes—this strawberry chicken salad with maple balsamic dressing is sure to steal the show!
- Elevate your BBQ game with this creamy, delicious cucumber salad with ranch dressing. It’s the perfect pairing for all your favorite grilled and air fryer bites!
I hope you love this macaroni salad as much as we do in my household. It always goes fast!
More Summer Side Dishes
- Classic potato salad is creamy, zesty, and oh-so-satisfying. It’s a staple that’ll keep your guests coming back for seconds.
- Add some zing to your plate with coleslaw! Its crisp, tangy bite is the ultimate refreshment alongside rich, grilled dishes.
- Craving smoky flavors? The bacon and green beans recipe brings a savory crunch that pairs perfectly with any grilled meat—your taste buds will thank you!
- Roasted vegetables steal the show as a cookout side, boasting rich, caramelized flavors that everyone will devour.
- Marshmallow fruit salad is the sweet, fluffy treat your cookout needs. Fun for kids, nostalgic for adults—what’s not to love?
- Zucchini casserole is a veggie-packed, flavor-loaded dish that’s guaranteed to win over the crowd. It’s the perfect match for any grill master’s menu.
- Yellow squash casserole is summer in a dish—bursting with cheesy, melty goodness and highlighting the best of seasonal squash. A must-have for any gathering!
- Baked macaroni and cheese? Always a winner. Creamy, cheesy, and downright comforting, it’s a dish no one can resist.
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Macaroni Salad
Ingredients
- 8 oz uncooked elbow macaroni pasta
- 3/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup relish
- 1-3 tsp mustard (to taste)
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 2 tbsp white vinegar
- 1/2 cup diced sweet pickles
- 1/2 large red bell pepper (diced)
- 2 celery stalks (diced or thinly sliced)
- 1/2 medium red onion (diced)
- 1/4 small carrot (diced or grated)
- 3 large hard-boiled eggs (chopped)
Instructions
- Prepare pasta per package instructions. Drain and set aside to cool.
- To a mixing bowl, add mayonnaise, sour cream, relish, mustard, salt, pepper, sugar, and white vinegar and mix until combined.
- Add cooked macaroni to the dressing mixture and mix to coat the pasta.
- Add all remaining ingredients and toss to combine. Add additional salt and pepper to taste.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 90 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Estimates (Per Serving)
Nutrition Disclaimer
Nutrition Estimates are per serving and included as a courtesy only. They are accurate to the best of our knowledge based on the ingredients and brands used, but their accuracy is not guaranteed.
