This super easy macaroni salad is the perfect side dish for any occasion (or any meal) and only takes 10 short minutes to make!
The crunch of fresh vegetables pairs perfectly with soft elbow macaroni in this tangy salad that’s sure to make your mouth water.
What is Macaroni Salad?
While no one is really 100% sure where macaroni salad originated, it is widely accepted as an American dish. Yes, pasta is Italian, however, many variations of pasta salad started to make an appearance not long after potato salad was introduced by European immigrants who brought the idea from Germany.
Like potato salad, macaroni salad is served cold or at room temperature. Again, similar to potato salad, macaroni salad is typically made with fresh-chopped vegetables and dressed with either vinegar-based or mayo-based dressing. The more mayonnaise the salad contains, the creamier it’ll be.
Lucky for you (and me), this recipe contains the best of both worlds. Mayonnaise for creaminess and vinegar for taste.
Macaroni Salad Ingredients
Ingredient Notes
- I used gluten-free elbow macaroni for this recipe, you may use any type of macaroni you prefer.
- Use either fresh or frozen peas, canned peas tend to be too mushy.
Recipe Notes
- If you plan on storing some macaroni salad to enjoy later, I recommend adding a little extra mayonnaise because the pasta will soak up the liquid and dry out if there’s not enough moisture.
- This recipe is dairy-free. If you’d like to make it gluten-free, be sure to use gluten-free pasta, mustard, and mayonnaise.
- This dish is delicious if served right away, however, if you have the time, I recommend refrigerating it for 2-4 hours prior to serving. This gives the flavors time to come together.
Equipment
- 1 medium-sized mixing bowl
- 1 small-sized sauce pan
- Food-safe single-use gloves
How to use this Macaroni Salad Recipe
The beauty of Flavor Ratios is that we blend flavor combinations according to OUR own preferences. All recipes you find on this site serve as a guide. Who am I, to limit the amount of dijon you put in your macaroni salad? That would be wrong, and honestly, it’d keep me awake at night knowing your side dish could’ve been better! Read more.
How to Make Mouth-Watering Macaroni Salad
- Cook the macaroni: Prepare the macaroni according to the package directions. Once the macaroni is finished, strain it using a colander and rinse it under cold water.
- Prepare the vegetables: while the macaroni is cooking, prepare all the vegetables and place them into a medium-sized mixing bowl.
- Combine ingredients: put cooked macaroni and all other ingredients into the same mixing bowl with the vegetables. Using a wooden spoon or your hands, along with disposable food-safe gloves, mix all ingredients.
- Season: add salt and pepper to taste.
- Enjoy the flavors!
Watch How to Make Mouth-Watering Macaroni Salad
Mouth Watering Macaroni Salad (Gluten & Dairy Free)
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
This super easy macaroni salad is the perfect side dish for any occasion (or any meal) and only takes 10 short minutes to make!
Ingredients
2 cups gluten-free elbow macaroni, uncooked
1 cup frozen peas
1 tablespoon dijon mustard
1 tablespoon white vinegar
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
1/2 yellow onion, small dice
1 celery stalk, small dice
1 carrot, shredded
Salt & Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the macaroni: Prepare the macaroni according to the package directions. Once the macaroni is finished, strain it using a colander and rinse it under cold water.
- Prepare the vegetables: while the macaroni is cooking, prepare all the vegetables and place them into a medium-sized mixing bowl.
- Combine ingredients: put cooked macaroni and all other ingredients into the same mixing bowl with the vegetables. Using a wooden spoon or your hands, along with disposable food-safe gloves, mix all ingredients.
- Season: add salt and pepper to taste.
- Enjoy the flavors!
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: side
