Homestyle Macaroni Salad
This Southern Homestyle Macaroni Salad is loaded with fresh vegetables, shredded cheese, and tender pasta tossed in a creamy, slightly sweet buttermilk dressing. An old-fashioned side dish perfect for any meal or gathering!
Servings 12 servings
Calories 307kcal
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
- Boil 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 season with additional salt to taste.
- Cover and chill. Add the shredded cheese after the salad has cooled for around 30 minutes.
- Chill for at least 4 hours and stir well, before serving.
Notes
- 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. In a pinch, you could use a splash of lemon juice or a teaspoon of whole grain mustard.
- 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.
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