You can’t have a BBQ party or a potluck without some delicious Macaroni Salad. No need to get it at the store because it is so easy to make with a few simple ingredients. This is our favorite Macaroni Salad full of red onions, celery, bell peppers, herbs, and of course, delicious creamy dressing.
There are a few more BBQ sides you will need for the backyard party so don’t forget the Southern Potato Salad, Cajun Corn Salad, and Italian Tortellini Salad.
MACARONI SALAD
It’s officially the start of the barbecue season and we are ready to have our weekly cookouts. Okay, so there is nothing official about when to start the season but I say if the weather is warm and sunny, it’s the start. The weather has been absolutely beautiful and I fire up my grill every weekend.
No matter what you’re grilling for the summer gathering, you need to have some sides to go with those big, juicy grilled steaks, burgers, and hot dogs. Family and friends expect to see the classics like potato salad, coleslaw, and of course, pasta salad. It’s the quintessential summer cookout sides that many people take very seriously.
To satisfy everyone’s preference, I like to have a few different options but never do I NOT have a macaroni salad. It’s a staple at every BBQ, every potluck, every summer picnic, or a day at the park. This is our favorite recipe that features fresh vegetables, tender macaroni, fresh herbs, and of course, creamy dressing.
MACARONI SALAD VS PASTA SALAD
Now, the big question is, will you serve pasta salad or macaroni salad at your next cookout? What is the difference between pasta salad and macaroni salad?
Simple answer: mayonnaise or no mayonnaise.
Traditionally, the difference between the two was in the way you dressed the salad. Macaroni salad featured small pasta like ditalini or small elbow macaroni and creamy, mayonnaise based dressing. Pasta salad, on the other hand, would have larger pasta like rotini or fusilli and dressed with an oil and vinegar based dressing.
INGREDIENTS IN MACARONI SALAD
Ingredients in macaroni salad could truly be endless. I’ve seen some recipe that have everything but the kitchen sink in it, or maybe I just didn’t notice the kitchen sink. In my family, we like to keep it pretty simple to let pasta shine and get some help from fresh, crunchy vegetables and smooth, creamy dressing.
Pasta – of course you should start with pasta. Choose a smaller pasta like elbow macaroni or ditalini. (I don’t love orichette in a macaroni salad because they tend to stick together and don’t mix evenly with the dressing.)
Vegetables – let’s start with the classics, you should definitely throw in some red onion, bell pepper, and celery. All three will give the salad a pleasant crunch and a burst of sweetness.
Herbs – I like to add some green onions, fresh parsley, and fresh dill weed as well. My grandmother never served a salad without fresh herbs (and sometimes green onions) in it and it always brightened up the flavors.
Dressing – I love this macaroni salad dressing! It’s a simple mix of mayo, sour cream, Dijon mustard, white wine vinegar, brown sugar, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
Pickles or No Pickles?
My husband hides the jar of pickles whenever I’m getting ready to make macaroni salad. He insists that sweet pickles or relish overpower every other flavors in the salad and I agree. When I add sweet pickles, that is all I can taste and it changes the flavor of the dressing too.
I’ve even surveyed several friends and family, to see if they like pickles or relish in macaroni salad and most of them said that they prefer without. So if you’re with us, put away the jar of pickles for another time. But, if you truly love those macaroni salad with pickles, feel free to add about 1/2 cup of finely diced sweet pickles.
How To Extend Life Of Fresh Herbs:
Fresh herbs truly provide the best flavor but I know it can be a pain to buy a bunch of parsley and dill weed for one recipe. Personally, I can totally use up a bunch of parsley in a week but I do have a couple of tricks that will help extend their life.
You can either freeze them, or keep them fresh in the refrigerator. To freeze herbs, make sure to wash them first and spread them out on a paper towel to dry off the water. Mince them and place in a freezer zip-lock bag. Get all the air out, seal, and freeze.
The best way to keep the herbs fresh for about a week to ten days is to store them in the refrigerator, in a zip-lock bag. Wrap the whole bunch in a damp paper towel first and then place it in the bag. Close and keep in the refrigerator.
HOW TO MAKE MACARONI SALAD
This is a really easy recipe that you can make in 30 minutes. Cook pasta according to the box instructions and dice the vegetables and herbs while it’s cooking. Whisk ingredients for the dressing together and check you Instagram because pasta is still cooking. When pasta is finally ready, drain it and let it cool so it’s not scalding hot.
Mix pasta with vegetables and herbs and then pour in the dressing. Give it a good mix to make sure that all the ingredients are evenly coated with dressing. Cool mixed salad in the refrigerator for at least two hours before serving.
MAKE IT AHEAD
Pasta and macaroni salads are wonderful recipes to make ahead. I actually prefer to make macaroni salad the night before because all the ingredients have a chance to mix and mingle and marinate with each other. Pasta soaks up all those tasty flavors and tastes so much better a few hours after you make it.
Just make sure to keep it refrigerated until you’re ready to serve it You don’t want to leave a creamy salad out at room temperature for a long time.
Store all the leftovers in the refrigerator too. When properly stored in an air-tight container, in the refrigerator, macaroni salad should last 3 to 4 days.
MORE BBQ SIDES RECIPES TO TRY
Cheddar Bacon Ranch Tortellini Salad
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Macaroni Salad
Ingredients
- 1 lb uncooked macaroni pasta
- 1/2 cup diced red onion
- 1 medium red bell pepper
- 3 short celery ribs
- 1/4 cup diced green onion
- 2 tbsp minced fresh parsley
- 1 tbsp minced fresh dill weed
Dressing:
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 tbsp Dijon Mustard
- 2 tbsp white wine vinegar
- 1 1/2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp salt more or less to taste
Instructions
- Cook pasta in salted water according to box instructions.
- Drain cooked pasta and let it cook until no longer scalding hot.
- Dice all vegetables and herbs while pasta is cooking and whisk all ingredients for the dressing in a separate bowl.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine pasta vegetables, and herbs and mix.
- Pour dressing into the bowl with the pasta and mix everything together until dressing is evenly incorporated throughout.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or transfer the salad into a food storage container with a lid. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.
Video
Nutrition
Mary says
I’ve been making potato salad and pasta salad for so long that I don’t even use a recipe, but with so many rave reviews…I thought I’d branch out and try this. I’m so glad I did because it’s just fantastic. I had white balsamic vinegar and so cut back the brown sugar to just over a Tbl, left out the fresh dill and parsley and used a sprinkle of dried dill because it’s what I had. Also had a green pepper not a red one, but those are minor changes. I am having this for lunch and will have it for dinner with fresh Sockeye salmon and corn on the cob. I made enough to share with the neighbors, but I’m not so sure of their chances right now! LOL
Thank you for a wonderful recipe. Mary
LyubaB says
Aw thank you mary, I am so glad you liked it! Thanks for taking the time to come tell me 🙂
Mary says
The neighbors actually DID get some of this salad, and they like it too! Looks like a hit all the way around. Thanks again and try to stay cool. Mary
MaryKay says
Like everyone, we all have our own recipe. But, I love to experiment with new. I wanted something different to take to a party tonight. This recipe is fabulous! Oh my goodness!!!!! I had my son try it and his response was, “oh yeah!’ Thank you for sharing. Love it
LyubaB says
I am so glad you love it! Thanks for stopping by to let me know! 🙂
Cathy from Mississippi says
After trying this recipe, I ditched all of my other Macaroni Salad recipes I don’t use the green onions, but that’s because my hubs is not a fan and feels that green onions take over every dish that its present in… We love this salad. If you’re on the fence about trying it, please go for it. This is delicious! I make it all the time now, and we’re having it with brisket tonight. Thanks for a fantastic recipe!
LyubaB says
Thank you, Cathy! I am so glad you like it so much! Thanks for taking the time to stop by and tell me! 🙂
Alicia says
I love this pasta salad. I can be picky with dressing but this is delicious.
The only thing I did different was to use a green bell pepper instead of celery (cause I can never find it in small bundles). And I love the flavor of peppers better anyway so win win.
I’ve already made it twice and even my particular sisters like it.
LyubaB says
I am glad you liked it, Alicia!
Beth Shook says
This is a really good macaroni salad, will use again.
LyubaB says
Thank you, Beth!
lise lacoste says
Bonjour c’est la première fois que je vais essayé ta recette de macaroni pour Noêl est vraiment plus complète que celle que je fais, je me demande s’y je rajoute des crevettes, j’aimerais avoir ton opinion
Shirley Parada says
Wonderful dressing! This is delicious and
is a real keeper.
Amy says
Hii 🙂 I’d love to make this for a weekend party tomorrow. Can I sub the white wine vinegar for the seasoned rice vinegar I have on hand? I know it’s seasoned but will there be a huge difference?
lyuba says
Hi Amy! Sorry I didn’t see this sooner. The vinegar itself won’t have too much of difference unless your pallet is quite sensitive but the seasoned part I’m not sure about. I don’t know what kind of flavor it will add. Did you try it? Let me know!