Southern macaroni salad is a classic comfort food side dish, known for its creamy, tangy dressing and perfect balance of flavor and texture. This easy macaroni salad recipe is made with simple ingredients like elbow pasta, fresh vegetables, and a rich, slightly sweet dressing that brings everything together.
Perfect for BBQs, potlucks, and family gatherings, this macaroni salad pairs perfectly with smoked pulled pork, burgers, and other Southern favorites. Whether you’re making it for a summer cookout or a holiday meal, it also goes great alongside sides like baked beans and potato salad for a complete spread.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
This Macaroni Salad is everything you crave in a classic side dish – creamy, tangy, and perfectly balanced. Whether you're serving it at a summertime BBQ, a family potluck, or a holiday feast, it will surely be a crowd-pleaser. What makes this recipe special is its simplicity; using just a handful of fresh ingredients, you’ll create a dish bursting with flavor without any unnecessary extras. Plus, it's quick and easy to make, so you can whip up a batch quickly. Once you try it, this Macaroni Salad will become your go-to for any occasion!
Ingredients
Macaroni Salad Ingredients
- Elbow Macaroni – The classic base that holds the creamy dressing perfectly.
- Red Bell Pepper – Adds sweetness and crunch.
- Red Onion – Brings sharpness and balance.
- Shredded Carrots – Adds color and subtle sweetness.
- Frozen Peas – A classic addition for texture and flavor.
- Cheddar Cheese – Adds richness and depth.
- Sweet Relish – Brings tangy sweetness.
Creamy Dressing
- Mayonnaise – The base of the dressing.
- Sour Cream – Adds tang and smoothness.
- Dijon Mustard – Adds depth and slight bite.
- Apple Cider Vinegar – Balances richness with acidity.
- Sugar – Adds the classic slight sweetness.
- Seasonings – Salt, pepper, garlic powder for balance.
See the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Begin by boiling the macaroni per the package instructions.
While the pasta is boiling, combine the diced bell pepper, onions, shredded carrots, and frozen peas in a large glass mixing bowl. Give the veggies a good stir to get them all mixed.
Step 2: In a separate mixing bowl, combine all the other ingredients and whisk them together until thoroughly combined.
Once the pasta is done boiling, strain the noodles and run them under cold water to stop the cooking process.
Step 3: As soon as the pasta has cooled, add them to the veggie mixture and gently stir to mix them with the vegetables.
Step 4: Lastly, pour the macaroni salad dressing over the noodles and veggies. Again, stir gently until the dressing combines with the other ingredients thoroughly.
Cover the bowl and refrigerate the macaroni salad for at least an hour before serving. This will give the flavors time to meld and make the salad nice and cold.
Expert Tips
- Run your macaroni under cold water after boiling to stop the cooking process.
- Boil the pasta to just before al dente. This will keep the pasta firm. Don't worry. Even though you will run it under cold water, it will still cook more. But this will create an ideal texture.
- Chilling the Macaroni salad in the refrigerator for at least an hour is essential. This gives it time for all of the flavors to settle and meld. Plus, the colder the salad, the better.
What to Serve with Macaroni Salad
Macaroni salad is the perfect side dish for BBQ and comfort food meals. It pairs especially well with smoked pulled pork, burgers, hot dogs, and grilled chicken.
For a full Southern-style spread, serve it alongside baked beans, potato salad, coleslaw, or cornbread.
Recipe FAQs
Southern macaroni salad is typically made with elbow pasta, mayonnaise-based dressing, vegetables, and a balance of sweet and tangy flavors.
Yes, rinsing the pasta with cold water stops the cooking process and helps create the right texture for cold salads.
Use enough dressing and allow the salad to chill so the pasta absorbs the flavors without drying out.
Macaroni salad pairs perfectly with BBQ meats, burgers, hot dogs, and other Southern side dishes like baked beans and potato salad.
Yes, macaroni salad is best made ahead and chilled for at least an hour to allow the flavors to develop.
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📖 Recipe
Southern Macaroni Salad
Ingredients
- 1 Lb Macaroni Noodles
- 1 Red Bell Pepper - diced
- 1 Red Onion - diced
- 1 Cup Shredded Carrots
- 1 Cup Frozen Peas - thawed
- 1 Cup Freshly Shredded Cheddar Cheese
Macaroni Salad Dressing
- 2 Cups Mayonnaise
- ½ Cup Sour Cream
- 2 Tbsp. Dijon Mustard
- ¼ Cup Sweet Relish
- 2 Tbsp. Granulated Sugar
- ½ tsp. Kosher Salt
- ½ tsp. Ground Black Pepper
- ½ tsp. Garlic Powder
- ¼ Cup Apple Cider Vinegar
Instructions
- Begin by boiling the macaroni per the package instructions.
- While the pasta is boiling, combine the diced bell pepper, red onions, shredded carrots, and frozen peas in a large glass mixing bowl. Stir to mix them together.
- In a separate mixing bowl, combine all of the salad dressing ingredients and whisk to combine thoroughly.
- Once pasta is done cooking, strain them and run under cold water to stop the cooking process.
- As soon as the pasta has cooled, add them to the veggie mixture and gently stir to mix.
- Pour the macaroni salad dressing over the noodles and veggies, stirring to be sure everything is evenly mixed.
- Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least an hour before serving.
Video
Notes
- Run your macaroni under cold water after boiling to stop the cooking process.
- Boil the pasta to just before al dente. This will keep the pasta firm. Don't worry. Even though you're going to run it under cold water, it's still going to cook a little bit more. But this will create an ideal texture.
- Chilling the Macaroni salad in the refrigerator for at least an hour is essential. This gives it time for all of the flavors to settle and meld. Plus, the colder the salad, the better.
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