Best Macaroni Salad

Published May 17, 2024 | Updated May 17, 2024 | By Laura

My viral Best Macaroni Salad is a potluck, cookout and party staple dish. It's been a top recipe on the site and there's a reason why, it's so delicious! Tender pasta tossed with fresh crunchy veggies, eggs, and a tangy dressing, it's a guaranteed hit with everyone at the party!

Literally one of the best foods you'll ever eat, my viral Best Macaroni Salad has been one of the top recipes on the site for a couple of years. It's made in one bowl with basic ingredients and is an explosion of flavors!

My grandma passed this family favorite recipe down for generations, and it's been made countless times over the years.

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There are thousands of classic macaroni salad recipes, but 4 things set mine apart:

Incredible blend ingredients in the creamy dressing
Shape of pasta I use (ditalini)
How I chop my eggs into the salad (pressed through a cooling rack)
The controversial fact that I use Miracle Whip over mayonnaise

The beautiful thing about macaroni salad is that it can be made in so many ways and adjusted to personal preference. The balance of sweetness to savoriness is unique from person-to-person. So, get creative with this timeless favorite and get ready for rave reviews! It's literally the perfect macaroni salad!

Want more delicious pasta salad inspiration for your next picnic, summer bbq, potluck, or holiday? Be sure to check out my other 2 viral cold pasta salad recipes: The Best Pasta Salad and Italian Pasta Salad!

Table of Contents

Why You’ll like this Recipe

Make-Ahead Ease: Macaroni salad pairs with nearly any spread and is a great make-ahead, simple recipe for a get together. We think the flavor gets even better if it's made in advance.
Versatility: Homemade macaroni salad is a versatile side dish that can be customized to individual preferences!
Nostalgia: Grandma's recipe is timeless and brings back happy memories of family gatherings, potlucks and holidays!
Incredible Flavors and Textures: The combination of flavors creates a creamy, tangy, and slightly sweet taste that is SUPER delicious!

Ingredients

Scroll Down for Ingredient Amounts Listed in the Printable Recipe Card Below

Miracle Whip or Mayonnaise: Acts as the rich, creamy base of the salad and binds the ingredients together.
Sugar or Sugar Substitute: Balances the acidity and adds a touch of sweetness to the salad.
Celery Seed: Adds a distinct celery flavor and subtle crunch.
Garlic Salt: Infuses the salad with savory garlic flavor and a hint of saltiness.
Apple Cider Vinegar: Provides acidity and tanginess to the salad.
Dill Pickle Relish: Offers a tangy and slightly sweet flavor with a crunchy texture.
Yellow Mustard: Adds a tangy and slightly spicy flavor.
Elbow Macaroni or Ditalini Pasta: The main component of the salad, gives it its heartiness and texture.
Hard-Boiled Eggs: Contribute protein, a creamy texture, and richness to the salad.
Red Onion: Adds sharpness, a pop of color, and a mild sweetness.
Celery: Provides crunch and freshness.
Bell Peppers: Add sweetness, crunch, and vibrant colors.

Ingredients to make a salad: miracle whip, sugar, celery seed, garlic salt, apple cider vinegar, dill pickle relish, yellow mustard, pasta, eggs, red onion, celery and bell peppers.

Tools You’ll Need

How to Make the Best Macaroni Salad

Cook pasta in boiling salted water per package directions, drain and cool.
In a large bowl, whisk together Miracle Whip, sugar, celery seed, garlic salt, vinegar, relish, mustard, salt and pepper. Taste for balance of flavors.

To the dressing, add eggs, vegetables and pasta. Stir until well combined.

Macaroni salad ingredients in a bowl ready to be stirred including the dressing, vegetables and boiled egg.

Cover and chill for at least 1 hour before serving.

Pro Tips and Substitutions

Customization: You can add or omit any ingredient from the ingredients noted in this recipe. Macaroni salad taste and texture preference is individual from person-to-person.
Try other mix-ins: Optional ingredients you can add to the salad or substitute with existing ingredients are cucumbers, peas, carrots, cubed cheddar cheese, dill pickles, green pepper, red bell pepper, sweet pickle relish, chopped bread and butter pickles, bacon, ham, diced tomatoes, and green onions.
Boiled eggs: Visit Perfect Peel Boiled Eggs for your easiest egg peeling experience ever!
Substitute the Miracle Whip: Light Miracle Whip or mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, sour cream and sugar substitute can be used instead of the regular versions. Dijon Mustard is a great alternative to yellow mustard as well.
Cook the pasta until al dente: Cook the pasta until it is slightly firm (al dente) to ensure it holds its shape in the salad. Rinse with cold water to cool it down quickly and prevent it from becoming mushy. Use less pasta if you like a heavier dressing to pasta ratio.
Spices: Feel free to experiment with fresh herbs and spices, such as dill, garlic powder, onion powder, or paprika, to add a unique twist to your macaroni salad.
Marinate the flavors: Letting the macaroni salad chill in the refrigerator for a few hours or overnight will enhance the flavors and make it even more delicious.

Storage & Make Ahead Instructions

Properly stored macaroni salad can last for 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator. Make sure to keep it in an airtight container to maintain freshness.

Freezing macaroni salad is not recommended as the texture of the pasta and other ingredients can change upon thawing, resulting in a less desirable consistency.

If served at a gathering and left out at room temperature longer than 2 hours, discard it as it's not safe to eat. If possible, serve in a chilled bowl.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do you use Miracle Whip over mayonnaise in this recipe?

It's personal preference for the flavor of Miracle Whip over mayonnaise. Miracle Whip a slightly sweeter and tangier taste compared to mayonnaise.

How do I make macaroni salad creamier?

My recipe has just enough dressing that the ingredients are fully coated but not swimming in it. If you like it creamier, you can use less pasta or make more dressing.

Can I use a different type of pasta in macaroni salad?

Macaroni noodles is the traditional choice for macaroni salad, but like me, you can experiment with other pasta shapes like ditalini, penne, fusilli, or farfalle. Just ensure that the pasta has a similar size and density to macaroni so that it holds the dressing and ingredients well.

How can I prevent macaroni salad from becoming dry?

To prevent dryness, make sure not to overcook the pasta. Decrease the pasta if you like a creamier salad. If the salad sits for a while and appears dry, you can add a little milk, small amount of additional Miracle Whip or a splash of vinegar to moisten it.

How long can you keep macaroni salad?

We recommend storing the salad for 3 to 5 days in an airtight container in the fridge. Longer than that the pasta begins to become too mushy.

Is this recipe gluten-free?

The pasta in this recipe is the only ingredient containing gluten. You can easily swap for a gluten-free pasta alternative.

Is macaroni salad suitable for vegetarians or vegans?

Macaroni salad can be made vegetarian or vegan by using plant-based mayonnaise or mayo alternatives and omitting eggs.

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