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Home » Recipes » Salads » Best Ever Classic Macaroni Salad

Best Ever Classic Macaroni Salad

Published on September 7, 2019, Updated March 12, 2020 by Kristin Maxwell | 97 Comments

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This Classic Macaroni Salad recipe is a hit at parties, BBQs and with adults and kids alike. It comes together easily and is the perfect side dish for summer parties, making it perfect for Memorial Day and 4th of July!

Macaroni Salad is a staple at all of our family get-togethers, served alongside other picnic favorites like Potato Salad, Baked Macaroni and Cheese and Tuna Pasta Salad.

A bowl of the best macaroni salad with eggs and peas. There is a spoon in the bowl.

The Best Macaroni Salad Recipe

See the peas in that macaroni salad? This is seriously the only thing I like peas in. And I hate peas. But there’s something about the combination of flavors and textures in this macaroni salad that makes them fit in perfectly.

This is a favorite family recipe that my mom has been making since her home ec class in high school. It’s loved by everyone – so much so that my cousin listed it specifically in our family reunion book as his favorite food. It’s that good.

A close up of the best macaroni salad recipe with sliced hard boiled eggs on top.

What’s in Macaroni Salad?

  • Elbow macaroni – my mom swears by this brand. I haven’t been able to find it in grocery stores lately, but I just discovered that it’s available on Amazon!
  • Sweet pickle relish – make sure you get the sweet kind and not dill. Although dill won’t taste bad, the sweet really heightens the flavor of this macaroni salad.
  • Celery – because you gotta have some crunch!
  • Onion – just a little and diced really fine. I use red onion so it adds some color. Plus it’s a little bit spicier that other types.
  • Peas – Ok, this is where things get a little dicely. Not everyone likes peas, myself included, but they really pop (pun intended!) in this pasta salad.
  • Mayonnaise – This mac salad is mayo based, but it’s not so heavy with the stuff that it’s all you can taste. It’s what makes this salad so creamy and delicious.
  • Mustard – for a little bit of tang.
  • Hard boiled eggs – We always have hard boiled eggs in our fridge because my husband eats them almost every day. Make them yourself using that easy recipe or buy a package at the store.

Crunchy celery and peas, tangy pickle relish and mustard, tender hard boiled eggs and macaroni come together with the perfect amount of seasoning and just enough mayo to keep it from drying out. My kids love it too, even with the peas and onions! Now THAT is a special recipe!

How to Make the Best Macaroni Salad

  1. Cook macaroni following the directions on the package. Drain and rinse in colander and drain well. Cool to at least room temperature, or in the fridge. *Note: For cold pasta salads, you want to always rinse your pasta. Not only does this cool it off and stop the cooking process, it helps to rinse the extra starches and keeps the noodles from sticking together.
  2. While the pasta is cooking toss together the chopped celery, diced onion, pickle relish, peas, chopped hard boiled eggs in a large bowl. Once the macaroni is cool, stir that in too.
  3. Using a silicone spatula or wooden spoon, stir in mayonnaise and mustard. The recipe calls for 1 cup of mayo, but you may need more or want to use less, depending on your personal preference.

An overhead shot of easy macaroni salad in a bowl with sliced eggs on top.

What Goes with Macaroni Salad?

This classic pasta salad is normally served with grilled meats or fish and is a backyard barbecue staple. These recipes would pair fabulously with Macaroni Salad:

  • Grilled Chicken Marinade
  • Grilled Steak Marinade
  • Easy Baked Pork Chops
  • Korean Short Ribs
  • Slow Cooker Baby Back Ribs
  • Baked Chicken Breasts
  • Crispy Baked Chicken Thighs

Top Tips and Tricks

  • Rinse the pasta – Make sure to rinse the pasta after draining it. You want your macaroni to be al dente and not get mushy.
  • How long can Macaroni Salad sit out? Because of the mayonnaise in this recipe, it is best kept refrigerated. It can be left out for up to two hours in the shade before it would need to be discarded. If left out in the sun, it will spoil faster.
  • How to Store Leftovers – Store macaroni salad in the refrigerator in a tightly sealed container for up to 5 days. If the salad seems dry, add a couple tablespoons of mayonnaise to moisten it before serving.
  • Do I have to add peas to Macaroni Salad? You do not have to add the peas to this salad. They do add a nice texture, but you can customize with other vegetables, like bell peppers, tomatoes or olives.
  • I don’t like mayonnaise – Instead of mayo you could use sour cream or greek yogurt. It definitely won’t have the same taste or texture but it’s close enough to still taste good.

A bite of macaroni salad on a spoon.

Love this Classic Macaroni Salad? For more delicious potluck friendly sides, be sure to check these out:

  • Cheddar & Dill Pasta Salad
  • Summer Spaghetti Salad
  • Easy Vegetable Pasta Salad
  • Raspberry & Pear Salad

Print out this recipe and make this classic macaroni salad for your next BBQ or summer party. You can thank me later.

Classic Macaroni Salad

Kristin
Macaroni Salad is a hit at summer parties & BBQs with adults & kids alike. This is the best macaroni salad for all of your picnics and get-togethers.
5 from 5 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 12 mins
Cook Time 12 mins
Total Time 24 mins
Course Picnic, Potluck, Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 8 servings
Calories 390 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups elbow macaroni 1/2 box
  • 4 tablespoons  sweet pickle relish
  • 1 cup chopped celery
  • 2 tablespoons chopped onion
  • 1 cup frozen peas cooked and cooled
  • 4 hard cooked eggs chopped
  • 2 teaspoons prepared mustard
  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 teaspoon salt to taste

Instructions
 

  • Cook macaroni following directions on the package. Drain and rinse in colander and drain well. Cool to at least room temperature, or in the fridge.
  • Meanwhile, in a large bowl combine celery, onion, relish, eggs, salt and peas.
  • Stir in cooked macaroni.
  • Stir in mustard and mayonnaise and blend thoroughly.
  • Store in a tightly sealed container for up to 5 days. If salad seems dry, add a couple of tablespoons of mayonnaise to moisten.

Nutrition

Calories: 390kcalCarbohydrates: 33gProtein: 9gFat: 24gSaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 105mgSodium: 643mgPotassium: 181mgFiber: 3gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 769IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 33mgIron: 1mg
Keyword hawaiian macaroni salad
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

This Classic Macaroni Salad is a hit at parties & BBQs with adults & kids alike. It comes together easily and is the perfect side dish for summer parties.

This Classic Macaroni Salad is a hit at parties & BBQs with adults & kids alike. It comes together easily and is the perfect side dish for summer parties.

This Classic Macaroni Salad is a hit at parties & BBQs with adults & kids alike. It comes together easily and is the perfect side dish for summer parties.

This Classic Macaroni Salad is a hit at parties & BBQs with adults & kids alike. It comes together easily and is the perfect side dish for summer parties.

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About Kristin Maxwell

Kristin Maxwell is the creator and main recipe developer, writer, and photographer of Yellow Bliss Road. A self-taught cook and self-appointed foodie, she specializes in easy, flavorful and approachable recipes for any home cook. Read more about Kristin HERE.

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  1. Rebecca Payne says

    September 28, 2020 at 9:55 am

    This makes me hungry looking at it. I can’t wait to try it.

    Reply
  2. Angelina says

    July 26, 2020 at 12:04 am

    this is SO delicious, and it never disappoints at family functions. There are never any leftovers, no matter how much we make. The sweet pickle relish really sends it over the top, but we don’t use mustard in ours….not with the sweet pickle relish, but that’s just us.

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      July 31, 2020 at 12:20 pm

      That’s awesome Angelina! Thanks for the feedback.

      Reply
  3. Diana Kozak says

    July 4, 2020 at 7:35 am

    Delicious! Perfect for summer picnics!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      July 5, 2020 at 10:58 pm

      Nice! Thank you Diana.

      Reply
  4. JB says

    June 10, 2020 at 7:25 pm

    Would the amount of mayo or mustard need to be changed if I were to add tomatoes, ham cubes and cheese cubes?

    Reply
    • Kristin Maxwell says

      June 11, 2020 at 11:01 am

      Yes, but you could play around and adjust that. If you’re adding more mustard, I would do so just a tiny bit at a time because it can get overpowering really quick.

      Reply
  5. Darlene says

    April 28, 2020 at 6:29 am

    Hi. You can change up the relish to sandwich spread instead, just a couple of teaspoons should do it. Also add some multi-colored vegetable peppers to your salad. Delicious. Give it a try.

    Reply
    • Darlene says

      April 28, 2020 at 6:33 am

      Sorry it should have been multi-colored. Tablet keeps wanting to change words on me. Oh. For us that are allergic to pepper spices add Clubhouse Italian Seasoning with red lid only contains dehydrated vegetable peppers instead. Black lid contains pepper spices. Also for any recipe that asks for paprika, exchange for turmeric instead.

      Reply
  6. Sara says

    April 7, 2020 at 10:36 am

    Delicious!! I wasn’t in the mood for a cold pasta salad, but don’t have a ton of fresh veggies or block cheese. I came across this recipe, and I had everything. Sweet relish was something w bought on accident, but it really stands out in this recipe. My new go to!!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      April 7, 2020 at 11:26 am

      Nice! Thanks for stopping by Sara.

      Reply
  7. Christine Matos says

    March 16, 2020 at 12:15 pm

    Mine turned out fabulous! I splashed the macaroni with a couple tablespoons of apple cider vinegar while it was in the strainer, it was yummy! Thanks for posting 😁

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      March 16, 2020 at 1:35 pm

      You are so welcome Christine! Thanks for stopping by.

      Reply
  8. Laurie Guyatt says

    January 19, 2020 at 4:55 pm

    If I added too much relish how can I fix it??

    Reply
    • Kristin Maxwell says

      January 24, 2020 at 2:58 pm

      Adding more mayo would probably help, and wouldn’t ruin the salad.

      Reply
  9. Cathy says

    August 16, 2019 at 2:31 pm

    Kristen, I have to make this macaroni salad for approximately 100 people. How much of the ingredients should I use?

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      August 17, 2019 at 5:11 pm

      The recipe will feed 8-10 people, so you’ll have to multiple to get enough for 100.

      Reply
  10. Pamela D VanCleave says

    July 24, 2019 at 3:55 pm

    Sounds yummy cant wait to try it out. Have been wanting this recipe for a long time! Thanks-pam

    Reply
  11. Denise Enright says

    June 26, 2019 at 3:56 pm

    Excellent..just excellent. Not overpowering with the mayo. I added a pinch more salt. My family favorite..

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      June 27, 2019 at 9:54 am

      Thank you Denise!

      Reply
  12. Liz Reid says

    June 17, 2019 at 10:41 am

    This is the BEST pasta/pea salad I have ever made. It is not overpowering with pickle or mustard . We added more black pepper but that is just us. I also used Hellman”s avocado oil mayo. I panicked when I wasn’t finding the recipe again, but I’d shared it and got it again. Making it now. Thank You !!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      June 18, 2019 at 8:16 am

      You’re so welcome Liz! thank you so much for stopping by!

      Reply
  13. Carol Whyte says

    June 8, 2019 at 9:59 am

    This is absolutely outstanding – just the way my mother in law used to make it (except for the peas). The family loved this and asked for it again. Thanks for a recipe that’s a keeper!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      June 10, 2019 at 8:47 am

      Hi Carol, so happy that you and your family loved this recipe!

      Reply
  14. Maryellen says

    June 1, 2019 at 11:48 am

    Can I add a tablespoon of Vinegar to this?

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      June 10, 2019 at 10:23 am

      Sure you can add vinegar.

      Reply
  15. Elizabeth Reid says

    June 1, 2019 at 9:10 am

    This was easy to make and tasted great. I normally don’t like most pasta salads. The amounts of each ingredient I used were not exactly what was listed. I was making a larger batch and used more red onion, celery, and peas than would have been proportional. I also added a fair amount of black pepper and a bit more of salt. It was great the next day after a longer refrigeration to bring out all the flavors. I also used Hellman’s Avocado oil mayo.

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      June 3, 2019 at 1:56 pm

      Great ideas Elizabeth! sounds tasty!

      Reply
  16. McKiela says

    May 28, 2019 at 12:06 pm

    How do you combine the eggs in with it just smoosh them and mix into the mixture or what? Or is it just what you put ontop?

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      May 29, 2019 at 10:43 am

      I chop them and just gently mix them in. The few slices on top are more for looks.

      Reply
  17. Amber N Boles says

    May 28, 2019 at 8:29 am

    Can I use canned peas?

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      May 29, 2019 at 10:45 am

      Yes, the flavor is a little different and you’ll want to make sure to drain them really well first.

      Reply
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Hi, I’m KRISTIN!

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