Name: Classic Macaroni Salad
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 8 min
Total time: 263 min
Ingredients: 1 pound uncooked elbow macaroni; 1 cup mayonnaise; 1/4 cup distilled white vinegar; 2/3 cup white sugar; 2 1/2 tablespoons prepared yellow mustard; 2 teaspoons House Seasoning Blend; 1 large onion (finely diced); 2 stalks celery (finely diced); 1 green bell pepper (seeded and finely diced); 1/4 cup grated carrot; 1 teaspoon celery seed; 4 hard boiled eggs (chopped)

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5 from 11 votes

On a hot summer day, a cool, creamy, Classic Macaroni Salad is the perfect side dish to compliment any of your summer favorites.

Prep: 15 minutes

Cook: 8 minutes

Cooling Time: 4 hours

Total: 4 hours 23 minutes

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Classic Macaroni Salad is the perfect side dish to compliment any of your summer favorites.

Classic macaroni salad with flecks of vegetables

Macaroni salad is a classic for a reason. This dish has been a summer staple for generations and there is a very good reason for that. It has that cool refreshing taste with just a hint of tang and a crunch from the fresh vegetables, that makes your taste buds so delighted

Why Macaroni Salad with Egg is a Keeper

This recipe is great because it can feed a crowd at your next street fair or barbecue or it is great for a family dinner. This classic macaroni salad can also be used as a main course due to the protein from the egg. It is the perfect light meal on a hot day.

How to Make this Easy Macaroni Salad -Step by Step

Make Dressing: Begin by , mixing together the mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, mustard and House Seasoning Blend in a large bowl.
Cook Macaroni: First, bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Next, add the macaroni, and cook until tender, about 8 minutes.
Chop Vegetables: Meanwhile, chop the onion, celery, green pepper, and carrot into bite size pieces.
Mix Together: Next, place cooked pasta in the bowl with the dressing, add vegetables and mix well.
Add Egg: Finally, chop the egg and gently mix through the pasta mixture. Chill your Easy Macaroni Salad and then enjoy.

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Looking for more? Check out all of the Easy Salad Recipes on It Is a Keeper.

Recommendations for Keeping your Classic Macaroni Salad

I love making this Classic Macaroni Salad in advance to make my life just a little bit easier. Especially, if I am hosting a get together.

This salad can stay fresh in the refrigerator for 3 days. When serving at an outdoor event, I like to serve it on ice to keep it cool. It should stay out for no more than three hours.

classic macaroni salad in a white bowl with fork on side of dish

Recommendations for this dish

This Classic Macaroni Salad is very adaptable to your family’s taste. I like to use it as a jump point for so many things. Here are just a few ideas:

Add Cooked Meat. I love adding canned tuna or crab to make it the best macaroni salad.
Try adding grilled or roasted vegetables.
Add a different flavor with canned or pickled vegetables. Pickled beets and olives are wonderful
Add some fresh herbs!

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Close up picture of Classic Macaroni Salad

Expert Tips for Making the Best Classic Macaroni Salad

There are so many variations of this classic macaroni salad. Here are a few Tips:

This Recipe Can be Doubled: This is a great recipe for a crowd. Simply increase the ingredients proportionately.
Don’t Overcook: No one likes a mushy salad. Follow the cooking time instructions carefully, and then rinse in cool water to stop the cooking process,
Add Cheese: A few Parmesan cheese curls or salty feta really make this salad fabulous.
Allergies?: Substitutions are easy. Use a Gluten free pasta or a dairy free mayo to make this recipe.

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Classic Macaroni Salad

5 from 11 votes

On a hot summer day, a cool, creamy, Classic Macaroni Salad is the perfect side dish to compliment any of your summer favorites.

Print Pin Rate

Servings: 6

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 8 minutes

Cooling Time: 4 hours

Total Time: 4 hours 23 minutes

Ingredients

1 pound uncooked elbow macaroni
1 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup distilled white vinegar
2/3 cup white sugar
2 1/2 tablespoons prepared yellow mustard
2 teaspoons House Seasoning Blend
1 large onion finely diced
2 stalks celery finely diced
1 green bell pepper seeded and finely diced
1/4 cup grated carrot
1 teaspoon celery seed
4 hard boiled eggs chopped

Instructions

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil.
Add the macaroni, and cook until tender, about 8 minutes.
Rinse under cold water and drain.
In a large bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, mustard and House Seasoning Blend. Stir in the onion, celery, green pepper, carrot, celery seed and macaroni.
Gently fold in chopped eggs.
Refrigerate for at least 4 hours before serving, but preferably overnight.

Expert Tips