This is by far the best macaroni salad you will ever have the pleasure of eating. Crisp vegetables in a creamy sauce make this recipe one of our favorite old-fashioned summertime side dishes
This old-fashioned macaroni salad recipe is all about being fresh and chilled. It’s a great alternative to macaroni casserole, especially for warmer seasons when you’re looking for something creamy but lighter.
If you enjoy this salad, you might also like to try some other macaroni recipes like skillet macaroni and beef, instant pot mac and cheese, or this creamy baked mac and cheese.
This recipe is straight out of my mom’s curated recipe book she gave to me to look through to find treasures to share with you. It’s in her handwriting – and while the vintage cookbook is falling apart a bit – it is full of great recipes like this one!
Table of Contents
Why I Love This Recipe
- Classic Flavors: The combination of creamy sauce and crisp vegetables gives this macaroni salad a timeless, comforting flavor that’s hard to resist.
- Make-Ahead: This macaroni salad is best on the second day, so it’s perfect for making ahead of time for parties or potlucks. The homemade sauce gets thicker and makes the perfect base for this crunchy macaroni salad.
- Stays Creamy: It’s super creamy. I like my macaroni salad on the creamier side and even the day after making it, it keeps it creamy-ness.
- Comfort Food: There’s something incredibly satisfying about a big spoon of this creamy, crunchy macaroni salad. It’s the ultimate comfort food.
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Key Ingredients
- Macaroni: This will be the base of our salad, providing a hearty texture and a delicious, starchy flavor.
- Green Pepper: Chopped green peppers will add a pop of color and a crunchy, fresh flavor to the salad.
- Celery: This ingredient will add a crisp, refreshing flavor and a bit of astringency to balance the creaminess of the salad.
- Red Pepper: Similar to the green pepper, the red pepper will add a sweet and colorful touch to the salad.
- Small Red Onion: Chopped red onion will add a sharp, tangy flavor that compliments the sweetness of the peppers.
- Mayonnaise: This will be the base of our creamy sauce, providing a rich, tangy flavor and a smooth texture.
- Sweetened Condensed Milk: This will add a touch of sweetness and creaminess to the sauce, making it even more delicious.
- White Vinegar: This ingredient will add a zesty, tangy flavor that cuts through the richness of the mayonnaise and condensed milk.
- Salt and Pepper: These will enhance the flavors of the other ingredients and add a bit of heat and savoriness to the salad.
Equipment
- Large Bowl – You’ll need this to combine your cooked and cooled macaroni with the chopped vegetables and let them sit for 10 minutes.
- Colander – After boiling the macaroni, you’ll need it to drain the water and let the macaroni cool.
- Knife and Cutting Board – These are needed to chop the green pepper, red pepper, celery, and red onion.
How to Make Macaroni Salad
Preparation
Begin by boiling the macaroni until it’s fully cooked. Once done, let it cool.
Step 1 – Prepare the Vegetables
Chop the green pepper, red pepper, celery, and red onion. Place them in a large bowl and add the cooled macaroni. Let this mixture sit for 10 minutes.
Step 2 – Make the Sauce
In another large bowl, combine mayonnaise, sweetened condensed milk, white vinegar, salt, and pepper. This will be the creamy sauce for your salad.
Step 3 – Combine Ingredients
Combine the sauce with the vegetables and macaroni. Stir well to make sure that everything is evenly coated.
Step 4 – Refrigerate
It’s best to refrigerate the salad overnight. This allows the flavors to meld together. The homemade sauce will thicken, making it the perfect base for the crunchy macaroni salad.
Step 5 – Serve
The next day, serve the macaroni salad chilled. Enjoy this classic dish as a side at your summer BBQ or potluck.
Expert Tip
To make the best macaroni salad, make sure your macaroni is fully cooled before adding them to the chopped vegetables. This will prevent the vegetables from wilting and keep the salad crisp and fresh.
Recipe Variations
- Different Macaroni: You can use any type of macaroni for this easy macaroni salad recipe. Try whole wheat macaroni for a healthier twist, or fun shapes for a kid-friendly version.
- Spices: The recipe calls for a macaroni salad dressing made of mayonnaise and sweetened condensed milk. You can add some other spices to it to change up the flavor and make it your own. You can also add some sweet pickle relish or Dijon mustard if you’d like.
- Add-Ins: The recipe includes green and red bell peppers, celery, and red onion. Feel free to add other vegetables like carrots or peas for extra color and crunch.
What to Serve With
- For a summery lunch, serve this macaroni salad alongside grilled chicken and corn on the cob. The creamy, tangy salad pairs perfectly with the smoky, charred flavors of the chicken and the sweet, juicy corn.
- Hosting a barbecue? This macaroni salad is a must. It complements classic barbecue dishes like burgers, hotdogs, and grilled sausages.
- For a picnic or potluck, this macaroni salad is a great choice. It’s easy to transport and can be served cold, making it a convenient and delicious option for outdoor gatherings.
Recipe FAQs
You can use any type of macaroni for this recipe. The classic elbow macaroni works well, but you can also use shells, twists, or any other shape you prefer.
Yes, you can substitute the sweetened condensed milk with regular milk, but the salad won’t be as creamy or sweet. You can also use Greek yogurt for a tangy twist.
It’s best the second day! I highly recommend making this recipe the day before you need to serve it. The homemade sauce gets thicker and makes the perfect base for this crunchy macaroni salad. However, if you’re short on time, you can make it a few hours in advance.
Absolutely! The recipe calls for green and red peppers, celery, and red onion, but feel free to add other vegetables. Carrots, peas, or even some chopped broccoli would be great additions.
Storing and Reheating
- Storing: After enjoying this delicious macaronis salad keep refrigerated. You can store the leftovers in an airtight container for up to three days.
- Freezing: Unfortunately, this salad doesn’t freeze well due to the creamy dressing.
More Salad Recipes You’ll Enjoy
Serving Size
- What to Expect: This classic macaroni salad recipe yields enough for 16 servings.
- How to Scale: If you’re hosting a larger gathering, you can easily double the recipe. Just make sure to use a large enough bowl to combine all the ingredients, and allow enough time for the salad to chill in the refrigerator. Follow the rest of the instructions as directed for a delicious, larger batch of macaroni salad.
Simple Macaroni Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 oz macaroni fully cooked and cooled
- 1/2 Cup green pepper chopped
- 1 Cup celery chopped
- 1/2 Cup red pepper chopped
- 1/2 Cup small red onion chopped
- 1 Cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
- 1/4 cup + 1 Tablespoon white vinegar
- 1/4 tsp salt
- pepper to taste
Instructions
- Boil the macaroni noodles according to box instructions. Let cool.
- Chop the vegetables and place them in a large bowl. Mix in the cooled macaroni and let sit for 10 minutes.
- Combine the mayonnaise, sweetened condensed milk, vinegar, salt, and pepper in a separate bowl to form the sauce. Pour the sauce over the vegetables and macaroni and stir to combine.
- Keep refrigerated until serving.
Notes
Nutrition
This recipe was originally published March, 2015. It has been updated to better the recipe for you!
Comments & Reviews
Lynette Rice says
This is one those classics that will have you coming back to the recipe again and again! While I love the flavors of this recipe as soon as I make it – it really is best made the day before so the sauce can soak into the noodles. Trust me on this one. Easy to make ahead – and delicious! Enjoy!