Macaroni Salad is a quintessential summertime dish, often accompanying BBQ meats, hot dogs, and hamburgers. It’s the ideal creamy and refreshing side dish to delight a crowd.

We love serving this easy Macaroni Salad with Grilled Steak, Juicy Burgers, and Grilled Corn on the Cob, creating the perfect summer menu.

Easy Macaroni Salad

Macaroni salad is a beloved American pasta salad featuring tender pasta, hard-boiled eggs, crisp veggies, and a luscious dressing. It’s served year-round to complement sizzling proteins on the grill or to pair with a picnic sandwich. This is a minimal prep recipe, perfect for hot summer months!

Ingredients for Macaroni Salad

• Elbow Macaroni – Elbow macaroni is the classic choice for macaroni salad, as its tiny crevices capture the creamy dressing perfectly.
• Red Bell Peppers – We prefer red bell peppers for their subtle sweetness, but any color will do.
• Red Onion – Red onion adds a pop of color and strong flavor.
• Celery – Fresh celery contributes the right amount of crunch and texture.
• Hard-Boiled Eggs – You can use premade hard-boiled eggs or follow my guide for perfect-boiled eggs.

Pro Tip: While we recommend bell peppers, red onion, and celery, feel free to substitute with your preferred crunchy veggies, like carrots and peas.

The Best Dressing for Macaroni Salad

• Mayonnaise – Creamy full-fat mayo is the best choice, but you can use a mix of mayo and Greek yogurt for a tangy twist.
• Apple Cider Vinegar – It adds the right amount of tang to balance the mayo’s richness.
• Sweet Pickle Relish – Use the same sweet relish you’d use for hot dogs. Dill pickles can also be chopped up.
• Mustard – Regular yellow or dijon mustard is ideal; nothing too fancy required.
• Salt & Pepper – Season the pasta salad to your taste with salt and pepper.
• Fresh Herbs (Optional) – For an extra burst of flavor and color, consider minced fresh parsley, dill, or green onion.

Pro Tip: Add cayenne pepper for a kick of spice or diced ham cubes for extra saltiness if desired.

How to Make Macaroni Salad

• Prepare the Pasta – Cook elbow macaroni according to the package instructions. Drain and rinse the pasta under cold water, then set it aside.
• Make the Dressing – In a separate bowl, combine all the dressing ingredients and whisk until smooth and creamy.
• Toss the Salad – Place the macaroni, veggies, and eggs in a large bowl. Pour in the dressing, stir to combine, and season to taste with salt and pepper. Chill the salad in the fridge for a couple of hours or serve immediately. Enjoy!