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Southern Macaroni Salad Recipe - Southern Macaroni Salad makes a delicious addition for picnics, potlucks, and any get together! An easy make-ahead staple, this macaroni salad is a definite go-to recipe for your summer parties! // addapinch.com
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5 from 4 votes

Southern Macaroni Salad Recipe

This Southern Macaroni Salad Recipe is an easy classic, creamy, and tangy side dish loaded with tender elbow macaroni, crisp vegetables, and a sweet-and-tangy mayonnaise dressing. Prepped in minutes, it’s the perfect make-ahead salad for BBQs, picnics, potlucks, and summer gatherings.
Prep Time10 minutes
Total Time10 minutes
Course: Salad
Cuisine: American
Servings: 10
Author: Robyn Stone

Ingredients

  • 2 cups cooked elbow macaroni noodles
  • 1/2 cup diced celery
  • 1 medium jalapeno pepper seeded and diced
  • 4 ounces diced pimentos
  • 2 medium green onions diced

Macaroni Salad Dressing

  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon celery seed optional

Instructions

  • Cook the pasta. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions.
  • Rinse. Pour the cooked pasta into a colander and rinse well with cold water. Drain well and allow the pasta to continue to drain as you prepare the other ingredients. 
  • Make the macaroni salad dressing. In a small mixing bowl, stir together the mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and celery seed if you are using it. 
  • Combine the salad. Add the cooled pasta and your macaroni salad ingredients to a large bowl. Pour the dressing over the salad and stir well until combined. 
  • Serve or store. Serve immediately or cover and store in the refrigerator until ready to serve, up to two days.

Notes

Storage Tips
  • Store: Refrigerate in an airtight container up to 2 days.
  • Do Not Freeze: Mayonnaise-based salads do not freeze well.
  • Make-Ahead Tip: Prepare up to a few hours in advance for the best flavor. Stir in a bit more mayo if the pasta absorbed a lot of the dressing. Stir in crisp bacon right before serving, if using.

Nutrition

Calories: 182kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 0.5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.04g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.03g | Trans Fat: 0.001g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 273mg | Potassium: 80mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 370IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 30mg | Iron: 1mg