My classic macaroni salad is a crowd-pleaser at summer BBQs, picnics, and potlucks! I have been making it for years! It’s got the perfect level of crunch, with tender macaroni, and the most addicting sweet and tangy dressing!
But I’ll tell you this much, what macaroni salad lacks in eye appeal, it makes up for in flavor. I have been making this recipe for years! It’s a staple for me in the summertime. We’ve taken it bbq parties in the past and have had people request I bring this next time too. I’ve even had people tell me that they’d rather eat a bowlful of my macaroni salad and skip the main dish altogether! Luckily – I wasn’t the one who made the main entree
The most delicious kind of macaroni salad is creamy, tangy, sweet, and crunchy. It has it all! There are only a handful of ingredients called for in this recipe, and it’s ideal for bringing to a bbq, potluck, or picnic in the summertime. It’s perfect alongside grilled chicken, or meats, crispy chicken sandwiches, coleslaw, southern baked beans, and my Hawaiian garlic shrimp scampi.
Not seasoning the pasta enough. The last thing you want is a bland pasta salad. → Follow this tip: To make sure your pasta salad is well-seasoned and flavorful, it’s best to start seasoning early. The best time to do this is right out of the gate when you’re cooking the pasta.
Tips for making a creamy macaroni salad:
- Salt the water for the pasta generously. This is your chance to add flavor to the pasta. Keep in mind that we’ll be rinsing the pasta later so you’ll need to salt it a bit more than what you usually do!
- Use good quality mayo! I’ve said it before, and I’ll repeat it! It makes all the difference! This is my favorite brand to use in homemade slaws and pasta salads.
- I suggest avoiding low-calorie mayo for this recipe, especially if you’re serving this for a potluck or a bbq party. The full-fat stuff does give it the best flavor. If you swap the mayo for something like Miracle Whip, keep in mind that it is a much sweeter product, and you may find the amount of sugar added to this recipe to be too much. To balance the flavors, you will have to play around with how much sugar you add.
- Once you prepare the pasta salad, allow at least 1 hour to rest, covered in the refrigerator. This allows the flavors to blend together better and the sugar, and vinegar helps marinate and flavor the ingredients.
- Add a dash of cayenne if you like a little kick!
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container for 3-5 days.
How to make the best macaroni salad:
- Pasta: Prepare the pasta according to the directions written on the package. Usually, you need to boil the pasta for 6-9 minutes based on the size. Drain and rinse the pasta thoroughly, then add it to a large bowl and allow the pasta to cool in the refrigerator. Chop the vegetables and make the dressing while the pasta cools.
- Dressing: Combine the ingredients for the dressing in a small bowl using a whisk until smooth. You want to be sure to whisk thoroughly as the sugar does take a few seconds to dissolve. Taste and adjust with additional salt, pepper, or sugar as desired.
- Toss: Add the chopped veggies to the same bowl as the cooled pasta. Stir in the dressing. You can use all or as much of it as you like. I use all of it and find it’s perfect for our taste.
- Refrigerate for as long as you can, ideally, at least 1 hour. The macaroni salad does taste better as it sits! So a few hours is even better!
How To Make Cookout Worthy Classic Macaroni Salad
FAQ
Why does my pasta salad taste bland?
Why is my macaroni salad not creamy?
How do you tone down onion flavor in macaroni salad?
How do you spice up store bought macaroni salad?
Why does my macaroni salad taste bad?
Not enough dressing: The dressing brings all the flavors in a macaroni salad together, so if you need more dressing, the salad can taste bland. Try adding more dressing and tossing the salad to ensure everything is evenly coated. Lack of acidity: Acidity is essential in balancing the flavors of a macaroni salad.
Is macaroni and cheese bad for your heart or arteries?
A combination of macaroni and cheese can increase the blood cholesterol level, which can lead to heart conditions. This is because macaroni is made of refined carbohydrates and cheese contains fat.
Can you eat macaroni salad with a spoon?
It is so good that you have to resist the urge to eat it with a spoon. Classic Macaroni Salad is the perfect side dish for a summer cookout, family reunion or even a tailgate. Along with the traditional ingredients, the dressing for this version of macaroni salad includes sweetened condensed milk.
How do I Make my macaroni salad taste better?
If your macaroni salad is bland in flavor, you can easily remedy this. The three easiest flavor components to jazz it up is sweet, salty or acidic. For sweetness, you could add sugar, brown sugar, honey, sweetened condensed milk or even maple syrup. To give a more acidic flavor, try a splash of vinegar or lemon juice.