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    Home » Recipes » Salads » Southern Macaroni Salad

    July 22, 2022

    Southern Macaroni Salad

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    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.

    Classic macaroni salad made with a creamy dressing is perfect for any family gathering, picnic or pot luck.

    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
    Classic macaroni salad made with a creamy dressing is perfect for any family gathering, picnic or pot luck.

    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.

    Classic macaroni salad made with a creamy dressing is perfect for any family gathering, picnic or pot luck.

    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!
    Classic macaroni salad made with a creamy dressing is perfect for any family gathering, picnic or pot luck.

    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.

    Classic macaroni salad made with a creamy dressing is perfect for any family gathering, picnic or pot luck.

    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.

    Classic macaroni salad made with a creamy dressing is perfect for any family gathering, picnic or pot luck.

    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
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    • Easy Beef and Cheddar Sliders
    Classic macaroni salad made with a creamy dressing is perfect for any family gathering, picnic or pot luck.

    Southern Macaroni Salad

    Whether you're making family dinner, hosting a cookout or attending a potluck, Southern Macaroni Salad is always the answer! This easy to make side dish is drizzled with a deliciously creamy dressing, giving the recipe it's outstanding flavor. With just 25 minutes and 13 simple ingredients, you can enjoy this tried and true southern classic.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 10 mins
    Total Time 25 mins
    Course Side Dish
    Cuisine American
    Servings 8

    Equipment

    • Strainer
    • Mixing Bowls
    • Wide Mouth Mason Jars

    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!
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
    Pin Recipe
    Southern Macaroni Salad for picnics, parties, and familiy gatherings.

    Filed Under: 4th of July, Block Party, Celebrations, Memorial Day, Party Food, Potluck/Covered Dish, Salads, Side Dishes Tagged With: party food, pasta salad, salad, side dish

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Ava says

      July 28, 2022 at 8:05 am

      5 stars
      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!

      Reply
      • Donya says

        July 28, 2022 at 8:07 am

        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

        Reply

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    Hey there! I’m Donya and I’m so glad you are here. Great Holiday Recipes is where you’ll find recipes, ideas, and inspiration to help you celebrate life.

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