Easy Creamy Macaroni Salad Recipe (2024)

The perfect side dish for your summer BBQ - traditional American macaroni salad. Creamy, easy, and delicious.

This traditional Easy Creamy Macaroni Salad is one of my favorite side dishes for a BBQ . . . it’s creamy, full of flavor, and easy to throw together.

Ingredients needed for Easy Creamy Macaroni Salad:

2cupsdry elbow macaronicooked, rinsed and drained
⅓cupdiced celery
¼cupminced red onionsoaked in cold water for 5 minutes, drained
1Tablespoonminced flat-leaf parsley
½cupdiced vine ripened tomatooptional
½cupprepared mayonnaise
¾teaspoondried mustard
1½teaspoonssugar
1½Tablespoonscider vinegar
3Tablespoonssour cream
½teaspoonkosher saltplus more to taste
Freshly ground black pepper

How to make Easy Creamy Macaroni Salad:

In a large bowl combine the macaroni, celery, onion, parsley and tomato.
In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, mustard, sugar, vinegar, sour cream and salt.
Pour the dressing over the salad and stir to combine.
Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve.
Store covered in the refrigerator, for up to 3 days.

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Serves: 6

Easy Creamy Macaroni Salad Recipe

The perfect side dish for your summer BBQ – traditional creamy American macaroni salad. Creamy, easy, and delicious.

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 10 minutes mins

PrintPin

Ingredients

2 cups dry elbow macaroni cooked, rinsed and drained
⅓ cup diced celery
¼ cup minced red onion soaked in cold water for 5 minutes, drained
3/4 cup shredded carrots
1 Tablespoon minced flat-leaf parsley
½ cup diced vine ripened tomato optional
½ cup prepared mayonnaise
¾ teaspoon dried mustard
1½ teaspoons sugar
1½ Tablespoons cider vinegar
3 Tablespoons sour cream
½ teaspoon kosher salt plus more to taste
Freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

In a large bowl combine the macaroni, celery, onion, carrots, parsley and tomato.
In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, mustard, sugar, vinegar, sour cream and salt.
Pour the dressing over the salad and stir to combine.
Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve.
Store covered in the refrigerator, for up to 3 days.

Notes

Serve this dish with:

Marinated Grilled Chicken Sandwiches
Grilled Huli Huli Chicken
Grilled Lamb Kabobs

Nutrition

Calories: 324 kcal · Carbohydrates: 38 g · Protein: 7 g · Fat: 16 g · Saturated Fat: 3 g · Trans Fat: 1 g · Cholesterol: 11 mg · Sodium: 326 mg · Potassium: 178 mg · Fiber: 2 g · Sugar: 4 g · Vitamin A: 235 IU · Vitamin C: 3 mg · Calcium: 25 mg · Iron: 1 mg

Equipment

Large Bowl
small bowl
Whisk

Recipe Details

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Recipe from Food Network.

Join The Discussion

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Smallgood says:

That picture makes it looks so full and creamy. Definitely a favorite of mine for BBQs and picnics.
Lindsay says:

Oh how I love macaroni salad. It takes me back to when my grandma would make it. Such sweet memories. Thanks for the recipe. I will have to try yours out! Sure enjoy all you guys here! Your blog is one of my favs. :)
Sanghamitra Bhattacherjee(Mukherjee) says:

What a great recipe! It looks so creamy and yummy.
Thanks for sharing.
Hope to see you on my blog:)
Lark (SparkyLarky)@ Lark's Country Heart says:

Looks perfect to go on a Picnic!
Four Marrs and One Venus says:

Holy Yum Fest! Looks Amazing Ladies! Thank you so much for sharing- already SHOUTED it out on FB! :)
See Also
slow roasted leeks w lemon & dill recipe | Jessica Cox
shweetpotato says:

I have this in the fridge right now :) I already tasted it and it is delicious, it will taste even better after a couple hours in the fridge Im sure, I wish I would have had some tomatoes to put in it, It would be great with sliced olives or some chunks of cheese too :) YUMMY thanks so much
Beth Klemme says:

How many adults would this serve?
Camille says:

I would say it would serve 8 adults . . . and they would be good sized servings! :)
jzgplj says:

I made this to eat on during the week. I added some chopped dill pickle, 2 hard boiled eggs and peas. We'll see how it is tomorrow.
pam says:

This looks good
Mo says:

I love to cook and bake and just happened on your site. I will make this for sure...love all the recipes.....thanks from Norwood, Ontario
Nancy says:

I love this salad. It is great with the addition of salad shrimp
Jennifer Losgar says:

I have been missing macaroni salad since my husband and I have been eating better and then I stumbled upon your recipe. I am able to make it with whole wheat rotini noodles with rave reviews from my family. I already have my second batch in the fridge waiting for turkey burgers tomorrow night for dinner!
Cyd says:

Hi Jennifer. Thanks for leaving a nice comment for us! That is great you can use the whole wheat rotini noodles! And turkey burgers are really good! Way to go on the healthy eating! Have a great week.

About The Author:

Camille Beckstrand

Camille Beckstrand is married to Jared and they have 4 kids. She is a certified life coach that loves helping women become "unstuck" in their lives and is the host of the podcast "Moms On The Rise". She also loves a good true crime podcast, a big plate of cheesy loaded nachos, and going on adventures with her family.

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