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Creamy Classic Macaroni Salad

A nostalgic and simple macaroni salad that is the perfect side dish for any summer cookout.

By Daily Recipes Book· 🌍 American· August 4, 2026
Creamy Classic Macaroni Salad
dailyrecipesbook.com
Prep
15 minutes
Cook
10 minutes
Total
25 minutes
Serves
8

There is something truly comforting about a big bowl of creamy macaroni salad at a backyard barbecue. It feels like summer on a plate and is always the first side dish to disappear whenever I bring it to a family gathering.

My favorite trick for the best texture is to rinse the pasta in cold water as soon as it finishes cooking. This stops the starch from making everything gummy and ensures your salad stays perfectly creamy from the first scoop to the last.

Ingredients

  • 16 ounces elbow macaroni
  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup yellow mustard
  • 2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1/2 cup finely diced celery
  • 1/4 cup finely diced red onion
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. 1

    Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the elbow macaroni according to the package directions until tender.

  2. 2

    Drain the pasta and immediately rinse it under cold running water until the noodles are cool to the touch.

  3. 3

    In a large bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, mustard, sweet pickle relish, vinegar, and sugar until the dressing is smooth.

  4. 4

    Add the cooked macaroni, diced celery, and diced red onion to the bowl with the dressing.

  5. 5

    Toss everything together until the noodles are well coated, then season with salt and pepper to your liking.

  6. 6

    Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least one hour before serving so the flavors have a chance to meld.

💡 Tips

If you are making this ahead of time, add a tiny splash of milk or a little extra mayo before serving because the pasta tends to soak up the dressing in the fridge. This salad tastes best when chilled for a few hours, so try to plan ahead. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.

#pasta salad#potluck recipe#summer side dish#vegetarian#easy dinner

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