This post may contain affiliate links.
Whether you’re making family dinner, hosting a cookout, or attending a potluck, Southern Macaroni Salad is always a crowd pleaser! This easy-to-make side dish is drizzled with a deliciously creamy dressing, giving the recipe its outstanding flavor.
There are a million versions of Macaroni Salad, the ingredients change depending on family tradition or where you grew up, but it’s always a favorite side dish. This traditional Southern Macaroni Salad has the perfect balance of flavors and is a must-have dish for any kind of outdoor party!
The biggest tip that I can give you for preparing this recipe is to use quality ingredients! I make this recipe year-round, but during the spring and summer, I always try to use fresh-grown veggies; it really takes the flavor profile to the next level. I would also recommend buying a nicer vinegar to use in the dressing, the bold taste elevates the vibrancy of the other ingredients.
Southern Macaroni Salad is also a terrific make-ahead recipe! You can prepare the entire dish ahead of time, at your own convenience, and then simply refrigerate it until you’re ready to serve. No matter the time of year, or the event, this recipe will be a welcome addition to any meal!
Make This Recipe For…
- Potlucks and Covered Dish Suppers
- Casual Entertaining
- Birthday Celebrations
- Graduation Parties
- Family Dinners
- Block Parties and Cookouts and Barbecues
- Super Bowl Parties
- Game Day and Tailgating
Ingredients Needed To Make Southern Macaroni Salad
- Elbow macaroni
- Red onion – diced
- Celery – chopped
- Cheddar Cheese – cubed
- Frozen Peas – thawed
- Mayonnaise
- Dijon mustard
- Red Wine Vinegar
- Fresh Dill – chopped
- Fresh Parsley – chopped
- Garlic powder
- Salt
- Pepper
PRO TIP: to bring out the best of these simple ingredients, leave the macaroni salad in the fridge for about an hour before serving it to let all the flavors mix.
How To Make Southern Macaroni Salad
- Cook the pasta according to the directions on the back of the box. After the pasta is fully cooked, drain the pasta and rinse with cold water.
- To a large bowl, add elbow macaroni, red onion, celery, cubed cheddar cheese and thawed peas. Set aside.
- To a small bowl or mason jar, add mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, vinegar, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and fresh dill. Mix the dressing together until creamy.
- Pour dressing over pasta and veggies. Mix gently, making sure all macaroni is well coated in the dressing. Sprinkle on parsley and taste, then adjust seasoning. Serve and enjoy!
How To Make Macaroni Salad For A Crowd
This Southern Macaroni Salad recipe is ideal for feeding a crowd. Since it’s a make-ahead recipe, you can prepare it anytime that’s convenient for you. You can also double or triple this dish easily for any sized group.
You can either double or triple the written recipe and prepare everything as stated in the directions. Then you can transfer the salad into large air-tight bowls and keep it refrigerated until you’re ready to serve.
How To Serve Southern Macaroni Salad
You can make this dish for cookouts, potlucks, block parties, graduations, pool parties, holidays, pig pickings, and even back-to-school parties… the list goes on and on! Southern Macaroni Salad is a versatile dish and always the first empty bowl at any gathering.
I make this salad a lot during the summer, but it’s a great addition to any buffet table, from Halloween parties to Easter celebrations. Usually, I like to serve Southern Macaroni Salad slightly in a large glass or ceramic bowl with wooden serving utensils.
This recipe is best when it’s served chilled, so you could even get a chilled serving bowl to keep it nice and cool for hours.
How To Store Southern Macaroni Salad
It couldn’t be easier to store this fantastic recipe! I advise using an air-tight container and placing this Macaroni salad in the refrigerator. It will keep for up to 3 days if it is stored properly.
More Recipes You’ll Love…
- Party Chicken Salad
- Classic Cowboy Caviar
- Best Pigs in a Blanket
- Homemade Ranch Dip
- Easy Beef and Cheddar Sliders
Southern Macaroni Salad
Ingredients
- 1 box Elbow Macaroni
- 1 cup Red onion – diced
- 3 stalks of Celery – chopped
- 4 ounces (1/2 cup) Cheddar Cheese – cubed
- 1 cup Frozen Peas – thawed
- 1.5 cups Mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon Dijon Mustard
- 2 tablespoons Red Wine Vinegar
- 3 tablespoons Fresh Dill – chopped
- 1/4 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Pepper
- 2 tablespoons Fresh Parsley for Topping – chopped
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to the directions on the back of the box. After pasta is fully cooked, drain the pasta and rinse with cold water.
- To a large bowl, add elbow macaroni, red onion, celery, cubed cheddar cheese and thawed peas. Set aside.
- To a small bowl or mason jar, add mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, vinegar, garlic powder, salt, pepper and fresh dill. Mix the dressing together until creamy.
- Pour dressing over pasta and veggies. Mix gently making sure all macaroni is well coated in the dressing. Sprinkle on parsley and taste, then adjust seasoning. Serve and enjoy!
Ava says
This is the BEST Macaroni Salad I’ve ever made! The ingredient combination was delicious and the dressing is SO flavorful. This one is definitely going into my recipe box!
Donya says
Hey there Ava!
Wow! Thank you so much for your fantastic rating and your kind words, I am so happy to hear that you enjoyed this recipe! If you enjoyed this side dish, you should check out my Potato Salad recipe, it’s great for a cookout or a casual weeknight meal. If you ever have any questions about a recipe, please don’t hesitate to ask!
~Donya