A basic macaroni salad is a great dish to bring to any backyard barbecue. I know your thinking but why would I want to bring something so basic to a gathering. Well, this recipe is a basic macaroni salad recipe BUT you can add in anything you want. Yes, anything.
Why I Love Macaroni Salad
Macaroni salad really takes me back to my childhood and summertime cookouts with family. Here’s why it’s still a staple on our dinner table:
- It can be made a day or two ahead, which is super helpful for my meal planning.
- The kids absolutely love the creamy pasta and my husband says it reminds him of his mama’s cooking.
- It goes with everything! We enjoy it alongside grilled meats, fried chicken, sandwiches and more.
- It lasts for several days in the fridge so I can get multiple meals out of one batch.
- Easy to transport for potlucks and parties – just toss in a serving bowl.
This basic recipe is our tasty, no-fuss version that I can throw together anytime.
Basic Macaroni Salad
Equipment
- 1 pot
- 1 medium-sized bowl
Ingredients
- 2 cups Elbow noodles
- 1 cup Mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp Pickle juice
Instructions
- In a pot, bring to a boil elbow noodles with salt and oil in the water.
- Once cooked, drain and rinse with cold water. You want to make sure the noodles are cooled down before moving forward.
- In a medium-sized bowl add elbow noodles, mayonnaise and pickle juice. Give a good stir to make sure everything is well incorporated.
- Toss in any other ingredient you would lile. Give another quick stir.
- Cover and store in the refridgerator until ready to serve.
Video
Notes
Cooking Tips for Basic Macaroni Salad
Through lots of trial and error in my kitchen, here are some of my top tips:
- Use elbow macaroni – it holds the dressing and flavors better than smaller pasta.
- Cook the pasta just until al dente – you want it to retain texture, not get mushy.
- Rinse the cooked pasta in cold water to stop the cooking process.
- Let the pasta fully cool before adding the mayo-based dressing and refrigerating.
- Add the dressing a little at a time until it coats the pasta well but isn’t soggy.
- Season with salt, pepper and a bit of lemon juice to brighten the flavors.
- Customize with any extra veggies or mix-ins your family enjoys!
Perfect Pairings and Serving Suggestions
Basic Macaroni Salad is one of those sides that goes with just about everything, in my opinion! Here are some of my favorite pairings:
- Next to burgers, hot dogs, and sandwiches at BBQs or cookouts
- Alongside fried chicken, potato salad, and baked beans for a classic picnic spread
- On a summertime salad bar with fresh garden veggies
- Scooped onto plates at potlucks and family reunions
- Topped with crunchy bacon bits, shredded cheese, or diced tomatoes
And don’t forget that pasta salads make for great leftovers too!
Storing and Freezing Macaroni Salad
One tip I’ve learned is to underdress the pasta salad when preparing it to store or freeze. The macaroni will absorb more of the dressing as it sits. Then I add a bit more mayo or dressing right before serving or eating it.
Properly stored Basic Macaroni Salad will keep in the fridge for 3-5 days. You can also freeze it for up to 3 months – just thaw overnight in the fridge before enjoying!
Conclusion
I hope y’all get a chance to enjoy this Basic Macaroni Salad recipe soon. It’s been a staple side dish for our family during the warmer months for good reason – it’s tasty, budget-friendly, and super easy to throw together. Got any favorite add-ins or tweaks? Let me know in the comments!
Now if you’ll excuse me, I see the kiddos running around the yard which means it’s time to put on my mom hat and get out there. Thanks for stopping by County Mama Cooking!