Homestyle Macaroni Salad

This Southern style Homestyle Macaroni Salad is how I grew-up eating pasta salad. It’s made with jumbo macaroni shells cooked to al dente that are combined with tangy red onion, Roma tomatoes, cucumber, green bell pepper and shredded cheese all smothered with a homemade buttermilk dressing. It’s a picnic perfect side dish that’s always a crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients to Make Homestyle Macaroni Salad Recipe

Macaroni salad has its place firmly established on picnic menus in the South. That said, it’s not unusual to see classic macaroni salad year-round at potluck parties, family dinners and served alongside sandwiches and subs. What’s in Southern Macaroni Salad? This recipe includes jumbo macaroni shells, Roma tomatoes, red onion, cucumbers, bell peppers and shredded cheese. The dressing is slightly sweet. This recipe staple is packed with flavor and it’s my go-to when macaroni salad is requested. Ingredients to make homestyle Macaroni Salad: (Scroll down for full printable recipe card.)

• Pasta: This recipe uses jumbo elbow macaroni. You can use classic elbow macaroni.
• Mayonnaise: Two cups real mayonnaise, not Miracle Whip. Use your favorite brand.
• Liquid: Buttermilk thins the dressing and makes it creamy.
• Granulated Sugar: White sugar sweetens the dressing mixture. You can adjust the amount to your taste.
• Vinegar: Apple cider vinegar adds tang to the flavor.
• Seasonings: Onion powder, garlic powder, celery salt and black pepper.
• Tomatoes: Firm Roma tomatoes work best.
• Cucumber: One Persian cucumber, garden cucumber or English cucumber peeled, seeded and diced.
• Onion: Diced red onion adds color and crunch.
• Bell Pepper: Green bell pepper adds an earthiness and slight bitterness to the flavor that balances the sweet.
• Cheese: One cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese.

How to Make the Best Homestyle Macaroni Salad Recipe

Macaroni salad is one of those side dishes that will round-out most any main dish entrée and will always be a backyard barbecue family favorite.

• Macaroni Noodles – Boil the pasta in salted water per the package directions until al dente. Drain well.
• Make Dressing – Whisk together and combine mayo, buttermilk, sugar, vinegar, onion and garlic powder, celery salt and black pepper.
• Combine – Add the chopped vegetables and cooked macaroni reserving the shredded cheese. Mix well. Taste and season with additional salt, if needed.
• Refrigerate – Chill the macaroni salad adding the shredded cheese after the salad has cooled.
• Serve – Chill for at least 4 hours and stir well, before serving.

Tips for Making Macaroni Salad

• Kitchen Tools You’ll Need: Large pot or pasta cooker, whisk, large bowl, medium bowl, sharp knife and cutting board, cheese grater measuring cups and spoons.
• Don’t Rinse the Pasta: Do you need to rinse macaroni before making macaroni salad? There’s no need to rinse the macaroni after cooking. 
• Use Firm Tomatoes for the Salad: Roma tomatoes tend to maintain their integrity better than other varieties and are less likely to cause the dressing to break down.
• Make the Dressing in Advance: You can make the dressing in advance and have it ready to dress the macaroni just before assembling the salad.
• Jumbo Macaroni or Classic Elbow Macaroni: Can I use regular elbow macaroni or another similar size pasta? You absolutely can in the same amount.
• Serving Options: Serve Homestyle Macaroni Salad with fried chicken, ribs, burgers, hot dogs, sandwiches and more.

Recipe Variations

• Macaroni Salad Veggie Variations: To the veggies in this macaroni salad you can also add a couple of stalks celery, finely diced. You may also enjoy chopped sweet pickles or dill pickles.
• Hard Boiled Eggs: You can add 2-3 chopped hard-boiled eggs.
• Vinegar: You could use white vinegar in place of apple cider vinegar.
• Sugar: You can use an alternate artificial sweetener in place of white sugar.
• Fresh Herbs: You could add parsley, chives or green onion.
• Cheese: You could use colby jack cheese or pepper jack cheese for spice.

Storage and Leftovers

• Leftovers: How long does macaroni salad last? Store prepared macaroni salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
• Freezer: Can you freeze macaroni salad? I don’t recommend freezing macaroni salad. When thawing the fresh vegetables would break down and cause the dressing to separate.

More Macaroni Recipes to Make

• You’ll love my recipe for Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese for busy day meals.
• This southern style Tuna Macaroni Casserole doubles as a side dish or a main dish meal.
• Top my Chili Macaroni with sour cream and shredded cheese for game day.
• The kiddos will love this Hot Dog Cheesy Macaroni Casserole.
• Fried Mac and Cheese Balls are a restaurant recipe you can make even better at home.
• Creamy Macaroni and Cheese Pie has a buttery crumb topping and sliced tomatoes.
• You’ll find other tasty ways to use macaroni in this collection of  16 Sensational Ways to Make Macaroni and Cheese.

Thanks for visiting come back soon!

Disclosure ~ If  a purchase is made using one of the affiliate links on this website we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you!

Helpful Kitchen Items:

• Mixing Bowls
• Knife and Chopping Board
• Measuring Set
• Colander