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Recipe Index » Course » Lunch » Grandma’s Classic Macaroni Salad

Grandma’s Classic Macaroni Salad

Published by Meaghan on May 13, 2023 | last updated on May 12, 2023.

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Grandma’s classic macaroni salad features a blend of elbow noodles, cool veggies, and a creamy tangy sauce. This side dish is perfect for picnics and potlucks all summer long!

Grandma's classic macaroni salad in a white serving bowl

Southerners do certain things really well.

Macaroni salad, potato salad, deviled eggs, and cornbread.

All Southern classics.

This macaroni salad is exactly the way you’d expect a Southern style mac salad to be- creamy, simple, but oh so full of flavor.

Grandma's classic macaroni salad in a white serving bowl

Ingredients

To make this you’ll need:

  • Noodles– Elbow macaroni is preferable, but you could technically use another small tube pasta like penne or even rotini or bow ties.
  • Veggies– Peeled and diced cucumbers and halved cherry tomatoes
  • Mayonnaise– Real mayo and not mayonnaise style dressing or Miracle Whip.
  • Pickled banana pepper juice– Make sure you are using juice from mild pickled banana peppers
  • Celery salt

Grandma's classic macaroni salad in a white serving bowl

How to Make

This macaroni salad is so easy!

Just cook the noodles according to the directions on the package.

When it’s done, drain the pasta and run it under cold water until the pasta is cool.

Once it has drained completely, transfer it to a large mixing bowl.

Then add the veggies to the bowl with the pasta and toss it together.

Stir in the mayo, pepper juice, and celery salt until it’s all evenly combined.

Serve and enjoy!

creamy macaroni salad with cucumber and tomato in a white serving bowl

Storing 

Store macaroni salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Why is my macaroni salad not creamy?

If you didn’t cook the macaroni enough, the dressing won’t really stick to the macaroni properly.

If this happens, it might dry out,

Should I make macaroni salad the night before?

You can if you want to!

If you do, it gives the pasta a chance to really absorb the flavors.

a wooden spoon in a serving bowl filled with creamy macaroni salad recipe

Tips and Tricks

  • When seasoning the pasta salad with the celery salt, start with less, mix it in and then adjust to taste. Some brands may be saltier than others, and it’s much easier to add more than try to fix overly salty pasta salad.
  • This classic macaroni salad can be served immediately or chilled beforehand. The pasta will absorb the juice, so you may need to add a bit more mayo and pepper brine before serving to bring it back to its original creamy consistency.
  • Make sure to cook the pasta until it is done. Do not undercook it or the dressing may not be creamy enough.

a wooden spoon holding up a scoop of creamy macaroni salad recipe

Other Pasta Salads

Grandma’s classic macaroni salad is an easy side perfect for potlucks and picnics.

Make it and enjoy!

Looking for other pasta salads?

Try these:

  • Seafood Pasta Salad
  • Pasta Salad With Pepperoni
  • Ranch BLT Pasta Salad
  • Taco Pasta Salad

If you’ve tried this CLASSIC MACARONI SALAD, or any other recipe on my site, let me know in the comment section how it turned out, we love hearing from our readers! You can also follow along with me on PINTEREST, FACEBOOK, and INSTAGRAM to see more amazing recipes and whatever else we’ve got going on!

Grandma's classic macaroni salad in a white serving bowl

Grandma's Classic Macaroni Salad

Grandma's classic macaroni salad features a blend of elbow noodles, cool veggies, and a creamy tangy sauce. This side dish is perfect for picnics and potlucks all summer long!
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate
Course: Lunch, Pasta, Side Dish
Cuisine: American, Southern
Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes minutes
Servings: 8
Calories: 410kcal
Author: Meaghan @ 4 Sons R Us
Prevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients

  • 1 lb elbow noodles
  • 1 medium cucumber peeled & diced
  • 2 cups cherry tomatoes halved
  • 1 cup mayo
  • 4-5 tbsp MILD pickled banana pepper juice
  • 2 - 2 1/2 tsp celery salt
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Cook the pasta according to it's package directions. When done, drain it, and then run it under cold water until cool to the touch to stop the cooking process. Let finish draining completely, and then transfer to a large mixing bowl.
  • Add the veggies to the pasta, and gently toss until evenly combined.
  • Add both the mayo and pepper juice to the bowl, tossing again until evenly combined.
  • Stir in the celery salt.
  • Serve & enjoy!

Notes

  • When seasoning the pasta salad with the celery salt, start with less, mix it in and then adjust to taste. Some brands may be saltier than others, and it's much easier to add more than try to fix overly salty pasta salad.
  • This classic macaroni salad can be served immediately or chilled beforehand. The pasta will absorb the juice, so you may need to add a bit more mayo and pepper brine before serving to bring it back to its original creamy consistency.
  • Make sure to cook the pasta until it is done. Do not undercook it or the dressing may not be creamy enough.

Nutrition

Calories: 410kcal | Carbohydrates: 45g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 13g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 12mg | Sodium: 1130mg | Potassium: 248mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 218IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 22mg | Iron: 1mg
Did you make this recipe?Share it on Instagram @4sonsrus or tag #4sonsrus!

 

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Hi! I’m Meaghan

Welcome to my kitchen. Pull up a chair and get ready to dig into family friendly, easy recipes and meal ideas. I’m a self proclaimed, proud pickle snob and cheese lover. Aside from that, I’m also the mom to 4 busy boys, elementary school through college aged. My boys keep my husband and I busy, and boy, do they like to eat. A lot. Read more...

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Comments

  1. Art says

    May 18, 2023 at 11:36 am

    Looks so delicious. I am new to the cooking field at 83 years old. I definitely will try making your recipe. It is so awesome that you have shared it. Many thanks for that. Need to pick up some tomatoes and celery salt.

    Reply
    • 4sonsrus says

      May 24, 2023 at 10:29 pm

      It’s never too late or too soon to learn to cook! Happy to have you here, Art 🙂

      Reply

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Welcome to 4 Sons ‘R’ Us

Hi! I’m Meaghan. Welcome to my kitchen. Pull up a chair and get ready to dig into family friendly, easy recipes and meal ideas.

I’m a self proclaimed, proud pickle snob and cheese lover. Aside from that, I’m also the mom to 4 busy boys, elementary school through college aged. My boys keep my husband and I busy, and boy, do they like to eat. A lot.

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