Southern Macaroni Salad
We know a good pasta salad when we see one. Our pasta salad recipes our some of the most popular on our website and social media. This Southern Macaroni Salad is one of our favorites and the authentic recipe we grew up eating in the South at every big gathering or celebration.
It’s an easy recipe to make with just macaroni pasta, fresh veggies, and a creamy mayonnaise dressing with a hint of tang and sweetness. What makes this recipe the Southern version is that we add hard boiled eggs and sometimes ham into the salad as well.
Save The Recipe!
Add your email below and we’ll send it straight to your inbox+ you’ll receive all our newest recipes!
The best part is you can prep this Southern pasta salad in advance. The flavors just get better with time. Whenever we are in the South for a barbecue, this recipe is definitely on the menu, it’s a family favorite and our kids love it.
If you love a good pasta salad recipe be sure to try our Best Macaroni Salad (another viral recipe), or our Healthy Pasta Salad for a twist!
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love this Recipe
Laura Ashley’s Tip: When it comes to choosing a noodle, if you can find the macaroni noodles with ridges, these bind the dressing the best. You can also use any short noodle you already have at home like penne or ditalini.
Ingredients
Scroll Down for Ingredient Amounts Listed in the Printable Recipe Card Below
- Elbow macaroni pasta: We love this noodle for a pasta salad, it’s easy to eat and coats in the mayo dressing nicely. You can also use any other short noodles you have at home.
- Mayonnaise: Base of the dressing that makes it creamy. You can also use Miracle Whip.
- Apple cider vinegar or white vinegar: The hint of acid that balances all of the flavors.
- Granulated sugar: We add just a hint to compliment the tang of the vinegar.
- Dijon mustard: Adds a bright flavor to every bite.
- Sweet relish: A hint of sweetness and delicious pickle flavor.
- Sweet onion: Great crunch and fresh flavor.
- Celery: Gives all the texture to this macaroni salad.
- Red bell pepper: Adds bright color and flavor.
- English cucumber: Another ingredient that oftentimes isn’t in pasta salad but we love to add for extra texture.
- Hard boiled eggs: Adds protein and more creaminess to every bite.
- Ham: Totally optional but we love it for it’s rich flavor.
Tools You’ll Need
- Mixing Bowl
- Measuring Cups
- Spatula
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
- Cooling Rack (optional for eggs)
- Cutting Board
- Chef’s Knife
- Large Stockpot
How to Make southern Macaroni Salad
- Cook the elbow macaroni according to package instructions in boiling salted water until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water to cool.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, Dijon mustard, and sweet relish. Whisk until smooth. Taste and add salt and black pepper if desired.
- Add onion, celery, red bell pepper, cucumber, and hard boiled eggs.
- Add the cooled macaroni to the dressing and toss to coat evenly. If using, add cooked ham and gently mix to combine.
- Taste and adjust seasonings if needed. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour before serving to let flavors meld. Serve cold and enjoy!
Expert Tips
- Be sure to cook the pasta to al dente according to the package instructions. This will prevent the pasta salad from becoming mushy once it’s dressed and chilled.
- It’s better made in advance. This is one of those recipes that gets better in flavor the longer it marinates in the fridge. We often make it the night before a big gathering.
- Customize it to your liking. Add more spices, herbs, even different veggies like carrots and sugar snap peas if desired.
- We drain and rinse the macaroni noodles to stop the cooking quickly. This way they also don’t overcook from the residual heat of boiling.
Storage and Make Ahead
Store any leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days. When you are ready to enjoy again, just let it sit out at room temperature to take the chill off for 15 minutes or so and toss fresh with a drizzle of olive oil if desired.
We don’t recommend freezing this recipe since it will change the texture. But it is a great side dish to prep ahead for a party. The day before you can prep out all of the ingredients or even mix it all together to marinate overnight. This makes the day of the event or weekday meals super simple.
Frequently Asked Questions
You want to rinse the noodles immediately after boiling under cold water so the cooking stops.
Before adding the dressing, you want to shake off as much water from the noodles as possible so it doesn’t dilute the dressing.
It always has macaroni noodles, hard boiled eggs, and crisp veggies in a mayo dressing. Sometimes ham is added too!
More Delicious Pasta Salad Recipes
Southern Macaroni Salad
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni pasta about 6 ounces
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar or white vinegar
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon sweet relish
- 1 cup finely diced sweet onion
- 1 cup finely diced celery
- 1/2 cup finely diced red bell pepper
- 1/2 cup finely diced English cucumber
- 3 hard boiled eggs
- 1 cup diced cooked ham optional
Instructions
- Cook the elbow macaroni according to package instructions in boiling salted water until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water to cool.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, Dijon mustard, and sweet relish. Whisk until smooth. Taste and add salt and black pepper if desired.
- Add onion, celery, red bell pepper, cucumber, and hard boiled eggs.
- Add the cooled macaroni to the dressing and toss to coat evenly. If using, add cooked ham and gently mix to combine.
- Taste and adjust seasonings if needed. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour before serving to let flavors meld. Serve cold and enjoy!
Video
Notes
Store any leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days. When you are ready to enjoy again, just let it sit out at room temperature to take the chill off for 15 minutes or so and toss fresh with a drizzle of olive oil if desired. We don’t recommend freezing this recipe since it will change the texture. But it is a great side dish to prep ahead for a party. The day before you can prep out all of the ingredients or even mix it all together to marinate overnight. This makes the day of the event or weekday meals super simple. Tips:
- Be sure to cook the pasta to al dente according to the package instructions. This will prevent the pasta salad from becoming mushy once it’s dressed and chilled.
- Make it in advance. This is one of those recipes that gets better in flavor the longer it marinates in the fridge. We often make it the night before a big gathering.
- Customize it to your liking. Add more spices, herbs, even different veggies like carrots and sugar snap peas if desired.
- We drain and rinse the macaroni noodles to stop the cooking quickly. This way they also don’t overcook from the residual heat of boiling.
Nutrition
About Laura
Taught by some of the best, cooking and entertaining has always been my favorite hobby. Food is my love language! The conception of Dinner in 321 came from my family talks that sharing our dinners would help others learn new skills, tasty recipes, and make cooking fun! Read more…
This is my new favorite pasta salad ever. I’m working on my 3rd batch yummmm
Awwww!! That makes my heart so happy to hear!! Thank you SO much!!!🥰 I’m so happy you like it so much!! YAYAY!!!
We really enjoyed the macaroni salad with pulled pork bbq.
Awwww!! That makes my heart so happy to hear!! Thank you SO much!!!🥰
I recommend using the ridged elbow macaroni and I think the recipe did mention that. I wasn’t sure about adding the Cucumber and after I did, gave it an extra special Dimension that absolutely gave it more than meets the eye/taste. It is delicious.
Awwww! Thank you SO much!!!🥰 I’m so happy you made it and liked it so much!! Especially that you enjoyed the cucumber too!
sounds yummy! lm going to make it for the 4th.
Thank you SO much!!!🥰 I hope you love it and have a great holiday!!