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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 always satisfies.

Homestyle Macaroni Salad

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 macaroni salad year-round at potluck parties, family dinners and served alongside sandwiches and subs. This recipe is packed with flavor and it’s my go-to when macaroni salad is requested. How to make homestyle Macaroni Salad: (Scroll down for full printable recipe.

  • Macaroni – Cook the pasta in salted water per the package directions until al dente. Drain well.
  • Make Dressing – Whisk together the mayonnaise, 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 adjust the salt if needed.
  • Chill thoroughly add the shredded cheese after the salad has cooled.
  • Chill for at least 4 hours and stir well, before serving.
Homestyle Macaroni Salad

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.

  • Ingredients you’ll need to make homemade Macaroni Salad: One pound elbow macaroni either jumbo macaroni or classic elbows, real mayonnaise, buttermilk, sugar, apple cider vinegar, onion powder, garlic powder, celery salt, black pepper, Roma tomatoes, cucumber peeled,red onion, green bell pepper, shredded sharp cheddar cheese.
  • Kitchen tools you’ll need: Large pot or pasta cooker, whisk, medium bowl, sharp knife and cutting board, cheese grater measuring cups and spoons.
  • What’s in Southern macaroni salad? This recipe includes jumbo macaroni, Roma tomatoes, red onion, cucumbers, bell peppers nd shredded cheese.
  • Roma tomatoes tend to maintain their integrity better than other varieties and are less likely to cause the dressing to break down.
  • You can make the dressing in advance and have it ready to dress the macaroni just before assembling the salad. In this recipe the dressing is made with mayonnaise, buttermilk, sugar, apple cider vinegar, onion and garlic powder, celery salt and black pepper. Whisk it all together and pour it over the macaroni and vegetables.
  • Can I use regular elbow macaroni or another similar size pasta? You absolutely can in the same amount.
  • 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.
  • How long does macaroni salad last? Store prepared macaroni salad in an air tight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Homestyle Macaroni Salad

More Macaroni Recipes to Make

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Homestyle Macaroni Salad

Prep Time25 minutes
Chill time4 hours
Course: Pasta, Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: American, Southern
Keyword: best-southern-macaroni-salad, homestyle-macaroni-salad
Servings: 12 servings
Calories: 307kcal
Author: Melissa Sperka

Ingredients

  • 16 oz elbow macaroni jumbo or regular
  • 2 cup real mayonnaise
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 1/2 tsp celery salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 3 Roma tomatoes diced and seeded
  • 1 medium cucumber peeled, seeded and diced
  • 1 small red onion diced
  • 1 small green bell pepper seeded, diced
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Instructions

  • Cook the pasta in salted water per the package directions until al dente. Drain well.
  • In a medium mixing bowl whisk together the mayonnaise, buttermilk, sugar, vinegar, onion and garlic powder, celery salt and black pepper.
  • Add the cooked pasta, tomatoes, cucumber, red onion and green bell pepper reserving the shredded cheese. Mix well. Taste and adjust the salt to taste.
  • Cover and chill. Add the shredded cheese after the salad has cooled.
  • Chill for at least 4 hours and stir well, before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 307kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 17mg | Sodium: 642mg | Potassium: 212mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 302IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 98mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @melissassk or tag #melissassk!

12 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    This is hands down the best macaroni salad I’ve ever had. I’ve made it for picnics and family get togethers and still get requests for it all the time.

  2. Hi Marie, thanks so much for your sweet note and for visiting from Australia! On my blog, you’ll find my personal take on many beloved Southern dishes. Southerners, like most others, eat and love a variety of foods such as Italian, Mexican, Chinese, Indian, Spanish-style, Caribbean but many of the dishes I share are homestyle favorites. I’m delighted you’ve found something here to enjoy. Thanks again for visiting!

  3. Hello Melissa-Greetings from South Australia,
    I made this twice now, the second time I added canned corn which we spent chasing and leftover chicken which just didn’t taste right-should have known to leave well enough alone:)
    I also made the 5 bean salad-fantastic! No, really, fantastic.
    I have to ask-do all Southern women cook/eat like this? It’s just I don’t know much about America-apart from some TV shows, so this is normal, yes?
    These are such beautiful dishes which taste even better and simple instructions.
    I thankyou as does my husband.
    Marie

  4. Since you’ve turned me on to using buttermilk in so many recipes and I’m in love with the tangy flavor, you know I’ll be giving this recipe a try. Sounds (and looks) super delish.

  5. Melissa, I love your blog and your recipes! This recipe sounds so much like a macaroni salad my mom used to make, and she loved to use buttermilk (me too!)
    Thank you so much for sharing these wonderful recipes. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it and look forward to your posts!
    Happy Easter!

  6. Hi Joansy, thanks so much for your sweet note. I am delighted you are enjoying my blog, and finding recipes to enjoy. Happy Easter to you as well. ☺

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