Macaroni salad is a meal that is always on the table in the summer. Folks love this creamy, tasty side dish, whether at a family BBQ, a neighborhood party, or a casual picnic. It’s great for any event because it has a lot of different colors from the veggies, cheese, and tangy dressing. It’s also quick and easy to make, so even busy cooks can enjoy it.
What Makes This Macaroni Salad Special
This macaroni salad is unique because the taste and textures are just right. The creamy sauce goes great with the crunchy fresh vegetables and the rich cheddar cheese cubes. You can discuss it, not just eat it as a side dish.
Ingredients
For this tasty dish, you’ll need the following:
Elbow Macaroni: The salad’s bedrock, cooked just right until it’s al dente.
Cheddar Cheese: It gives the food a savory, rich taste.
Fresh vegetables like Red Onion, Celery, and Red Bell Pepper add color and taste.
Sweet and soft, frozen peas go well with everything else.
Dressing: This tangy, creamy dressing combines mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, fresh dill, sugar, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper for a tangy, creamy finish.
How to Make Macaroni Salad:
Get the pasta ready.
Heat some salty water in a pot.
When the pasta is al dente, it’s done. Do not cook the pasta too much; you want it to keep its shape.
To keep things from sticking, drain and rinse with cold water.
Get the veggies and cheese ready.
Pear and cut up the red bell pepper and celery.
Cut up the red onion.
Cheese should be cut into small cubes.
The dressing should be mixed.
Mix apple cider vinegar, dill, sugar, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper in a small bowl with a whisk.
Put Everything Together
Add the cooked pasta to a large bowl. Add the vegetables, cheese, and sauce. Toss the ingredients together until everything is well covered.
Please put it in the fridge for at least an hour with plastic wrap on top.
Tips for the Best Macaroni Salad
To keep the pasta from getting sticky, rinse it under cold water as soon as you drain it.
Taste the sauce before adding it to the salad to ensure the flavors are balanced. If you need to, add more salt, pepper, or sugar.
Equipment You’ll Need
- A big pot for cooking pasta
- A colander for pouring
- A cutting board and a sharp knife
- Bowls for mixing (big and small)
- Use a whisk to mix the sauce.
Storage Instructions
Any extras can be kept in the fridge for up to three days in a container that won’t let air in. Before serving, give the salad a quick stir to keep it fresh. Do not freeze because the dressing might split.
Food and Drink Pairings
Add cooked chicken, ham, or tuna to make the dish heartier.
Other Vegetables: Add chopped carrots, cherry tomatoes, or cucumbers.
Cheese Swaps: Try using feta or Monterey Jack instead of cheddar for a different taste.
You’ll Love This Recipe
This pasta salad tastes great and is straightforward to make. It’s sure to please everyone and is great for any event.
PrintEasy Macaroni Salad Recipe
This Easy Macaroni Salad recipe is great for parties, BBQs, and other events in the summer. This simple macaroni salad is full of cheese, vegetables, and other good things. You will love how smooth the dressing is.
- Total Time: 1 hour 22 minutes
- Yield: 12 1x
Ingredients
- 1 lb elbow macaroni
- 6 oz cheddar cheese, cubed
- 1/2 red onion, minced
- 4 celery stalks, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup fresh dill, chopped
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Cook the Macaroni: Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the elbow macaroni until al dente. Rinse under cold water to stop cooking and prevent sticking. Drain well.
- Prepare the Ingredients: Dice the celery and red bell pepper. Mince the red onion. Cube the cheddar cheese.
- Mix the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, dill, sugar, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, toss together the cooked pasta, vegetables, and cheese. Pour the dressing over the mixture and toss until evenly coated.
- Chill and Serve: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving to allow the flavors to meld. Serve cold and enjoy!
Notes
To keep pasta from getting sticky, rinse it under cold water as soon as you drain it.
Change the Salad: To make the dish heartier, add protein like diced chicken, ham, or tuna.
If you want a lighter dressing, you can use Greek yogurt or sour cream instead of mayonnaise.
Storage Instructions
Refrigeration: Leftovers can be kept for up to three days in a container that doesn’t let air in.
Do Not Freeze: Freezing is not a good idea because the dressing might split.
Pairings
Main Dishes:This goes well with burgers, chicken, or ribs that have been grilled.
Drinks: A crisp white wine, lemonade, or iced tea goes well with this.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Chill: 1 hour
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 291kcal
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 422mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 18mg
Questions you may ask
Can I make this salad ahead of time?
Yes, it’s even better when made a day in advance, allowing the tastes to meld.
Could I use a different kind of pasta?
Of course! Rotini, bowtie, or shells work just as well.
I don’t like mayonnaise, what should I do?
You can use Greek yogurt or sour cream instead if you want a lighter choice.
How can I keep the salad from getting too dry?
If the pasta soaks up too much sauce, add more before serving.
Does this recipe not contain gluten?
For guests who can’t eat gluten, make this salad with gluten-free pasta.
Are you ready to wow your family and friends with this simple macaroni salad recipe? If you try it, it will be gone from the table in no time. This recipe is excellent! Please share it with your friends and family, and don’t forget to subscribe to our blog for more tasty ideas.
Hi, I’m Clara Magnet
Hi there! As an author, I’m actually a professional chef and food blogger. I’ve been cooking for over 10 years and absolutely love creating recipes that bring people together around the table.
I take a lot of pride in making sure all of my recipes are accurate and delicious. I do a ton of research and testing to make sure everything turns out just right. I get inspiration from all sorts of sources, and I try to use ingredients that are in season, organic, and locally sourced whenever I can.
One of the most important things to me is making sure my recipes are easy to follow and producing great results every time. If you ever have any questions or need some extra guidance, don’t hesitate to ask! I’m always happy to help out. Thanks for checking out my recipes, and happy cooking!