Classic Macaroni Salad

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5 from 16 votes
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 8 minutes
Cooling Time: 4 hours
Total: 4 hours 23 minutes

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.
Step 1, 2 and 3 for making pasta salad.

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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 in white dish
5 from 16 votes

Classic Macaroni Salad

Yield: 6
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 8 minutes
Cooling Time: 4 hours
Total: 4 hours 23 minutes
On a hot summer day, a cool, creamy, Classic Macaroni Salad is the perfect side dish to compliment any of your summer favorites.
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⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️Did you try this recipe? Please leave a star rating and review below!

Ingredients

  • 1 pound uncooked elbow macaroni
  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • ¼ cup distilled white vinegar
  • cup white sugar
  • 2 ½ 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
  • ¼ 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.

Video

Expert Tips

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. so 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.

Estimated Nutritional Information

Calories: 665kcal | Carbohydrates: 62g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 40g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 140mg | Sodium: 1711mg | Potassium: 286mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 25g | Vitamin A: 1162IU | Vitamin C: 18mg | Calcium: 147mg | Iron: 2mg
The nutritional information provided are estimates. To learn more about how I calculate this information go to www.itisakeeper.com/about-its-a-keeper/privacy-disclosure-policies/
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Course: Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: American

7 thoughts on “Classic Macaroni Salad”

  1. 5 stars
    Excellent! It’s very close to a recipe that an old country store in PA served before it closed. (I leave out the green pepper and add 2 tablespoons of dried parsley.)

    Reply
  2. 5 stars
    I love this macaroni salad! The dressing is perfect and I’m going to make it again after Easter with some of our leftover hard boiled eggs!

    Reply

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