Macaroni salad is easy, fast, and has been a family favorite pasta recipe for decades. Tender elbow macaroni is tossed in a very creamy tangy mayonnaise and sour cream based dressing. Along with the al dente cooked pasta, there are a variety of add ins, including bell peppers, red onions, carrots, celery, and I like to add some cubed ham for protein. The various add ins provide a bit of texture and light crunch for a bit of texture diversity in every bite. Macaroni pasta salad is a very flexible recipe but you can mix-and-match ingredients based on what you have on hand and enjoy. It’s one of those classic pasta salad recipes that I remember being served at almost every graduation party, picnic, potluck, or summer season holiday or event from Memorial Day, Father’s Day, 4th of July, and Labor Day weekend festivities.
Macaroni Salad Ingredients
To make this traditional macaroni salad recipe, you’ll need the following easy to find and very common fridge and pantry ingredients including the following:
Pasta Salad
Dry elbow macaroni pasta Cubed ham, optional but recommended Red onion Carrots Ribs celery Green onion Fresh dill or fresh parsley, for garnishing
Dressing for Macaroni Salad
Mayonnaise Sour cream Vinegar (white vinegar, apple cider vinegar, or red wine vinegar) Dijon mustard Granulated sugar or light brown sugar Garlic powder Salt Black pepper
Note: All ingredients amounts are listed in the recipe card section when you keep scrolling down.
How to Make Macaroni Salad
Making ham and macaroni salad is a cinch with minimal prep time and total time! Follow these basic and straightforward steps:
Recipe Variations
This is a super flexible recipe that can be tailored to suit your personal preferences. Here are some ingredients you can add to the macaroni salad with ham:
Add up to 1/2 cup frozen peas Add 2 to 3 tablespoons sweet pickle relish to the dressing Add 1/4 cup diced gherkin pickles or sweet pickles to the pasta salad Add two or three 5-ounce cans of well-drained, water-packed, albacore tuna Add 2 or 3 hard boiled eggs, chopped quite finely Add 3/4 to 1 cup cheese (I suggest cubed cheddar cheese or Colby cheese)
This is the best macaroni salad recipe and is a perfect side dish for casual summer gatherings like a backyard bbq, picnics, and potlucks!
More Creamy Pasta Salad Recipes:
The Best Pasta Salad Recipes – There’s something for everyone in this collection of FAST and EASY pasta salad recipes!! Whether you need something to bring to a potluck or picnic, or are in need of a no-fuss weeknight meal the whole family will enjoy, these recipes have you covered!! Tried this recipe? Leave a review! Consider leaving a 5 star rating if you’ve made and loved one of my recipes! Amish Pasta Salad — A family-favorite classic pasta salad recipe with al dente pasta, bell peppers, celery, red onions, and hard-boiled eggs tossed in a creamy tangy-sweet dressing! Perfect for picnics, potlucks, backyard parties, and events! Everyone will go back for a second helping of this comforting side salad! Dill Pickle Pasta Salad — Calling all pickle fans, you’re going to love this creamy pasta salad with crunchy dill pickles in every bite! Along with cubes of cheese and crumbled bacon, this pasta salad will be the star of your next picnic, potluck, barbecue, or summer holiday! FAST, EASY, and IRRESISTIBLE! Shrimp Pasta Salad — 🍤🫛🌿 Tender pasta, juicy shrimp, crunchy celery, bell peppers, and peas are tossed in a creamy and tangy homemade dressing for zesty perfection! Quick and Easy Tuna Pasta Salad — 👏🏻🧑🏻🍳 Jazz up a can of tuna with this FAST and EASY pasta salad that’s creamy, satisfying, and chock full of flavor! Perfect for lunch or as a great side dish for dinner! Spaghetti Pasta Salad — If you need a FAST and EASY hit for your next potluck, summer picnic, or barbecue, look no further than this spaghetti pasta salad recipe! Served chilled, it’s full of juicy cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, salty olives, plenty of Parmesan and feta cheese, and coated with tangy Italian dressing so it’s bursting with FLAVOR! Club Sandwich Pasta Salad — This turkey pasta salad features all your favorite club sandwich ingredients!! Turkey, bacon, tomatoes, lettuce, and cheese with ranch! Ready in 15 minutes and perfect for potlucks, picnics, and parties!!
