Classic Macaroni Salad

Grandma’s macaroni salad with egg is a classic! Serve this delicious side dish on weekends with family and friends. Enjoy it on game day with hot dogs, chicken wings, sliders or spicy grilled lime shrimp!

This is the best macaroni salad with egg! But if you’re craving a pinch of sweet, make it a Hellmans macaroni salad: skip the eggs and add some granulated sugar. Assemble this tasty recipe in just 35 minutes!

PIN THIS EASY MACARONI SALAD

about grandma’s macaroni salad

This deli staple is a slice of Americana. It’s the old-fashioned macaroni salad you remember from childhood. Generations have enjoyed this traditional recipe at picnics, backyard BBQs, tailgating parties, and family gatherings.

This low-cost recipe won’t break the bank! It’s the perfect choice for work potlucks and Sunday socials when you’re signed up to bring a large dish. It’s a simple easy recipe that will have you in and out of the kitchen quickly.

Macaroni Salad Ingredients

For the sweeter taste of Hellman’s macaroni salad, use sweet pickles and add granulated sugar to the ingredients list.

Here’s what you’ll need for this tasty summer salad:

• Ditalini pasta
• Hard boiled eggs
• Celery
• Red bell pepper
• Red onion
• Black olives
• Kosher dill pickles (or sweet pickles)
• Fresh dill
• Mayonnaise (Best Foods or Hellman’s)
• Sour cream
• Apple cider vinegar
• Dijon mustard
• Yellow mustard
• Salt
• Pepper
• Paprika

RECIPE TIP: For an iconic American look, nostalgia insists on ditalini pasta. But in a pinch, use elbow macaroni or any short pasta you have on hand.

COOK AND COOL PASTA LIKE A PRO

Want your macaroni salad to look its Sunday best? Today I’m sharing an insider secret. It’s how professional food stylists prep cold pasta salads that photograph well. After all, we eat with our eyes!

This easy cooling method gives Grandma’s macaroni salad a beautiful look, as well as the best taste and texture.

1. Cook pasta al dente according to instructions listed on the package. We want slightly-firm noodles.
2. Drain the pasta in a colander, but don’t rinse it under cold water.
3. Add a drizzle of olive oil to the noodles and toss.
4. On a large baking tray, spread the pasta out in an even layer to release heat. Separate the noodles as much as possible. Once cooled, transfer them to a large bowl. These loosened-up noodles are now perfectly prepped for mixing in other ingredients.

MACaroni salad recipe

KITCHEN SMARTS: For cold pasta salad, dice or mince the veggies. We want small pieces. The crisp crunch of veggies should never overwhelm the pasta. The texture of the noodles should be the primary focus of every bite! This is a classic macaroni salad, not a veggie salad!

SIZE OF DICED VEGGIES: Images on this page show the veggies chopped larger than normal so you can easily see recipe ingredients. For homemade macaroni salad, dice the veggies 1/3 or 1/4 the size of the pasta.

EASY MACARONI SALAD RECIPE

Once the veggies have been minced or diced, and the eggs have been boiled and chopped, it’s quick and easy to assemble this cold pasta salad.

1. MAKE THE DRESSING. Add wet ingredients to a small bowl: mayonnaise, sour cream, dijon mustard, yellow mustard, and apple cider vinegar. Whisk them together. Add salt and pepper to taste. If making Hellmans macaroni salad, add 1 teaspoon granulated sugar. Whisk again.
2. COMBINE DRESSING AND PASTA. In a large mixing bowl, fold the tangy dressing into the cooked and cooled pasta until well combined.
3. FOLD IN REMAINING INGREDIENTS. Add the minced veggies, chopped dill, and a sprinkling of paprika. Taste the macaroni salad. Adjust the spices as needed: salt, pepper, and paprika.
4. COVER AND REFRIGERATE. Grandma’s macaroni salad with egg tastes best once the flavors have melded together in the fridge. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for 2 hours or overnight.

EXPERT TIPS

• SALT THE WATER IN THE POT: When boiling pasta, this is essential for building flavor. The water in the pot should taste like the ocean.
• COOK PASTA AL DENTE: Never overcook pasta. The noodles should be tender yet firm. They should have a little bite. Al dente is most often achieved by cooking the pasta 2 minutes less than package instructions.
• BEST PASTA FOR CLASSIC MACARONI SALAD: Use a short pasta cut like ditalini, elbow macaroni, rotini, gemelli or farfalle.
• HOW TO KEEP MACARONI SALAD MOIST: Noodles soak up dressing fairly quickly. When making this recipe in advance, plan on whisking up a little more dressing. Set it aside in the fridge. Just before serving, fold in the additional dressing. Because no one likes a dry pasta salad.
• TIP FOR MAKING THIS RECIPE IN LARGE QUANTITIES: Classic macaroni salad is a potluck favorite. When assembling this recipe to feed a crowd, keep the ratio of pasta to add-ins consistent. Use 2 parts cooked pasta to 1 1/2 parts diced add-ins. Keep the noodles the star of the show.
• HOW TO GIVE THIS RECIPE A TWIST OF FLAVOR: Mix in shredded cheddar cheese and bacon. For a spicy twist, add diced fire-roasted green chiles. For added tang, fold in some capers. For a crunchy garnish, try a handful of snapped or broken Fritos corn chips.

recipe FAQ

• CAN I DOUBLE THIS RECIPE? Yes! This is an easy recipe to double. It’s an ideal salad for large groups and parties.
• HOW TO GARNISH GRANDMA’S MACARONI SALAD? Garnish with a few sprinkles of paprika, halved hard-boiled eggs, some whole black olives, and a few sprigs of fresh parsley.
• HOW LONG WILL MACARONI SALAD LAST IN THE FRIDGE? When immediately stored in an air-tight container, it’ll stay fresh the fridge for up to 5 days. For the best taste and texture, enjoy it within 3 days.
• HOW LONG CAN MACARONI SALAD BE LEFT AT ROOM TEMPERATURE? For no more than 2 hours. After that time it should be discarded. When serving outdoors, keep the bowl of salad out of direct sunlight. Set it in an oversized container and surround the bowl with ice up to the rim. Here’s what the USDA has to say about safe food handling.
• CAN MACARONI SALAD BE FROZEN? No. This dish does not freeze well.

MORE SUMMER SALADS

If you loved this macaroni salad with egg, you’ll really enjoy these easy summer recipes. Cool and refreshing, they’re perfect for lunch or dinner as an entree or side.

• COLD SPAGHETTI SALAD
• CUCUMBER SALAD
• TUNA PASTA SALAD
• GREEK PASTA SALAD
• TROPICAL FRUIT SALAD
• LOADED BAKED POTATO SALAD
• BROCCOLI SALAD WITH BACON

best macaroni salad > RATE THIS RECIPE ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Grandma’s Macaroni Salad with egg is a family favorite. It’s one of the most requested sides for potlucks, picnics and tailgating. If you agree it’s the best summer salad, give this classic recipe a 5-star rating in the comments!

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POST UPDATE: This post and images have been updated to keep the content fresh and current. The information provided is much more helpful to readers. But the recipe has not been changed. It remains the same.

CLASSIC MACARONI SALAD > JOIN THE CONVERSATION!

Do you have a favorite pasta salad you make for potlucks and family gatherings? What do you think of this easy macaroni salad recipe? What entrees would you pair it with? Share your thoughts below!