Classic Macaroni Salad Recipe

Last Updated July 31st, 2023 at 10:01 am by Lisa

A classic macaroni salad recipe loaded with flavor from chopped eggs, crunchy celery, dill pickles, and the secret ingredient pickle juice! A cherished old-fashioned family recipe and a real crowd-pleaser. The chopped pickles and pickle juice make it super tangy and tasty.

Make a big bowl of the best macaroni salad, and watch it disappear at your next party, I guarantee it will become one of your family's favorite recipes...

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How To Make Macaroni Salad

Serve mac salad to a large crowd for cookouts, potlucks, BBQs, or serve as picnic food. Friends and family have laughed as they fill up their plates chuckling at themselves, can't stop eating this, and go back for seconds. I have seen thirds happen, the struggle is real.

With just a few simple ingredients you will be enjoying a small bowl (or huge) of this salad, the flavorful dressing comes from you guessed it, all the pickles! Here are the macaroni salad ingredients you will need.

• 16 ounces short pasta 1 lb bag short pasta - Anthony's brand
• 6 hard-boiled eggs chopped
• 3 cups chopped celery
• 2 cups green onions  sliced
• 2 cups dill pickles chopped
• 2 cups picked juice from dill pickles
• 1 cup black sliced olives (2 small cans)
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• ¼ cup yellow mustard
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper

1. Make and peel 6 hard-boiled eggs. Try my recipe to make Steam Hard Boiled Eggs.
2. Fill a large pot with cold water, and add a teaspoon of sea salt. Heat on the stove to boil the pasta. Follow the cooking time and the package instructions of your pasta brand. Adding salt is optional but recommended.
3. Gradually add pasta, stirring to separate it, and return to a boil. Boil uncovered, stirring occasionally until you have tender macaroni that is al dente pasta.
4. While the pasta is boiling, chop the fresh ingredients: celery, green onions, dill pickles, and chop the eggs into small pieces.
5. Drain the large pot of pasta, and pour it into a very large bowl.
6. Into the large bowl, add the chopped ingredients to the warm cooked pasta. Add celery, green onions, chopped pickles, pickle juice, chopped eggs, black olives, mayonnaise, yellow mustard, sea salt, and black pepper.
7. Stir well to combine, and chill for several hours or overnight. The warm pasta will absorb the pickle juice as it sits in the refridgerator, that is what makes it so good!
8. Optional: Slice a couple of eggs and places them on top with sprinkles of paprika to make it pretty.
9. Serve macaroni pasta salad in a large bowl or inexpensive paper Chinese takeout containers (order online), great for picnics and parties. Keep this macaroni salad chilled at all times in an airtight container, or serve immediately.

For the absolute best way to make Steamed Hard Boiled Eggs, be sure to take a look at my all-time favorite method....steaming! It is fast and makes gorgeous perfect eggs that actually peel.

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Mac Salad Recipe Swaps & Variations

This Pasta Salad recipe calls for classic ingredients. But you can add different things you love or have on hand:

• Crunchy celery is one of my personal favorite things, but you could swap or add in red bell pepper, carrots, or green peppers.
• Creamy mayonnaise is classic, but you can use miracle whip or sour cream. It will not be as creamy but works just fine in a pinch. You can also add some Dijon mustard with regular yellow mustard.
• Dill pickles or sweet pickles both work, even sweet pickle relish will add a nice crunch, and sweet pickle juice works too!
• Season it your way, garlic powder tastes great, and so does some chopped fresh parsley.
• Elbow macaroni or any macaroni noodles will swap in just fine, the Anthony brand short pasta is easy to find in most grocery stores.
• Chicken is a nice addition, toss in some cooked cubed diced chicken or shred in a rotisserie chicken.

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What Main Dishes Go With Macaroni Salad?

So what else goes with this easy macaroni salad recipe? Well, here are some of my favorite ways to eat mac salad all summer long...

Take it on a picnic with Pressed Italian Sandwiches which you make the night before, then grab the cooler and go! Cheeseburgers or Spiral Grilled Hot Dogs go great with a side of cold pasta salad.

Next time you are hosting a gathering, you can serve a delicious macaroni salad alongside other classic side dishes, and some main course recipes like Oven Pulled Pork or Cowboy Baked Beans.

The first time I made these baked beans people were begging for the recipe! Or take a look at my entire collection of 60+ Cookout recipes, ideas, and tips.

Side Dishes To Serve With Mac Salad

And here are more sides and salads that are always perfect with macaroni pasta salad. Here are my go-to faves for summertime parties.

Watermelon Salad is a simple side dish that steals the show with a carved-out watermelon for the serving bowl.

The best Potato Salad BBQ side dish loaded with crispy bacon and blue cheese for summer cookouts, potlucks, and a great picnic food idea.

This easy cold Pasta Salad is a mayo-less salad, tossed with a macaroni salad dressing made from a little olive oil, red wine vinegar, or white vinegar, apple cider vinegar works too, or even a splash of lemon juice would work. The cavatappi pasta is tossed with chopped red onion, cubed cheese, and other crisp vegetables. Perfect to serve at outdoor picnics or cookouts. And it's okay to serve more than one kind of macaroni salad at your party. Doesn't Hawaiian macaroni salad sound good?

7 Layer Salad is a great option to take to a picnic party or cookout because you can put it together a day ahead and the creamy dressing goes right on top!

This version has classic ingredients like boiled eggs, cheddar cheese, cherry tomatoes, and other fresh vegetables but you can use what you love. I listed lots of ideas to inspire you, and probably some are already in your fridge. You can toss it together at the party, or just let people dig right in...

Picnic Pasta Mac Salad FAQ

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