Easy Macaroni Salad

This Easy Macaroni Salad is a must for your summer picnic plans. Made with homemade Ranch dressing, veggies, and eggs, this creamy pasta salad is a family favorite.

Jump to:

• Macaroni Salad
• Why Make This Classic Macaroni Salad Recipe
• Main Ingredients
• How To Make Macaroni Salad with Egg
• Storage Recommendations
• Tips and Tricks
• FAQs
• More Classic Salads
• Recipe

Macaroni Salad

Summer is the perfect time to gather with friends and family. When we get to a picnic or BBQ, I immediately go to the food table to place our dish. Honestly, I'm just excited to see what other side dishes are there.

A picnic isn't the same without orange fluff, deviled eggs, potato salad, and macaroni salad. My mom used to make this creamy pasta salad every summer.

Over time, I've made some slight adjustments to her recipe. My version is simple and quick, with homemade ranch dressing. I know everyone has their personal preferences for this dish, but I always include peas, tomatoes, and eggs.

Why Make This Classic Macaroni Salad Recipe

• Easy to customize. There is no wrong way to make a salad like this. You can use your favorite veggies or change up the creamy dressing.
• Classic potluck recipe. A good macaroni salad is a staple for summer BBQs and picnics.
• Feeds a crowd. It makes a large serving, making it the perfect side dish for parties and get-togethers.
• Great year-round. Cold pasta salad is a great addition to any meal. It tastes even better the next day, so it is a great dish to prep ahead of time.

Main Ingredients

With just a few simple ingredients, this homemade macaroni salad is a delicious recipe to serve at any event.

• Noodles - I prefer elbow pasta for this dish. You can also use small shells, ditalini, or any other small pasta.
• Red Onion - Adds just the right amount of crunch. Feel free to use yellow, white, or green onions. 
• Frozen Peas - You don't need to cook these veggies. Just run some hot water over them and drain well before adding them to the dish.
• Tomatoes - Sweet cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes are the best size and texture for this salad. I like to cut them in half so they are easier to eat.
• Eggs - A few hard-boiled eggs add a good flavor and texture.
• Ranch Dressing - A mixture of mayonnaise, sour cream, and dried herbs creates a great creamy dressing. You can also use your favorite store-bought dressing.

How To Make Macaroni Salad with Egg

This simple recipe will be your new favorite for summer get-togethers. It goes great with burgers, hot dogs, fried chicken, and pulled pork.

1. Cook the noodles. Boil the elbow macaroni in a large pot of salted water according to the package directions. Drain thoroughly and then rinse with very cold water.
2. Prep the veggies. Chop the onions and hard-boiled eggs into bite-sized pieces and then cut the tomatoes in half.
3. Assemble the ingredients. Stir the cooled noodles, veggies, and eggs in a large bowl.
4. Stir in the dressing. Pour a tangy dressing on top and stir until everything is coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour before serving for best results.

Storage Recommendations

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. Because pasta absorbs some of the dressing, you can add more dressing before serving if needed.

Tips and Tricks

• Salt the water. The additional salt will season the pasta as it cooks.
• Cook to al dente. Cooked pasta absorbs some of the dressing, so it's important not to overcook the noodles and make them mushy.
• Rinse the hot pasta. Cold water stops cooking, rinses off the starches, and keeps the noodles from soaking up too much of the dressing.
• Drain well. The water in the pasta will make the dish watery.
• Add protein. Canned chicken, tuna, bacon, mozzarella balls, or cheddar cheese cubes make the dish a hearty meal.
• Change up the veggies. Try the basic macaroni salad base with shredded carrots, red pepper, black olives, or sweet pickle relish.
• Try other flavors of ranch dressings. A few of our favorites are parmesan, green goddess, bacon, and avocado lime ranch.
• Keep it cool. Keep the bowl in a cooler or a pan filled with ice. Do not leave any mayo-based salads at room temperature for more than two hours.

FAQs

More Classic Salads

• Broccoli Salad
• Pizza Pasta Salad
• Ramen Noodle Salad
• Veggie Pasta Salad
• Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

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This post was first published in September 2015. It was updated and then republished in June 2024.