Macaroni salad is a timeless classic that has been bringing comfort and flavor to potlucks, picnics, barbecues, and family dinners for generations. Creamy, tangy, and endlessly customizable, this dish is as versatile as it is satisfying. These 9 easy macaroni salad recipes prove that you don’t have to spend hours in the kitchen to make something that everyone will love.
At its core, macaroni salad starts with tender, cooked elbow macaroni tossed in a flavorful dressing—usually a combination of mayonnaise, vinegar, mustard, and a few seasonings. From there, the possibilities are endless. Whether you love the traditional style with crunchy celery and onions, or you prefer something bold with bacon, fresh herbs, and exotic spices, there’s a recipe here to suit every taste.
The classic American macaroni salad remains a crowd favorite. It combines pasta, chopped vegetables, and a creamy dressing for a simple yet delicious side dish. It’s perfect for pairing with grilled burgers, fried chicken, or barbecue ribs. If you’re looking for a lighter version, a Greek-inspired macaroni salad with olive oil, lemon juice, feta cheese, cucumber, and tomatoes delivers fresh Mediterranean flavor without the heavy mayo.
For a touch of sweetness, a Hawaiian-style macaroni salad features a creamy dressing with a hint of sugar and often includes pineapple for a tropical twist. On the other hand, if you prefer a more savory bite, try a bacon and cheddar macaroni salad—salty, cheesy, and irresistible. You can also add roasted vegetables for extra depth of flavor and color.
Seafood lovers will enjoy tuna macaroni salad, which transforms a simple pasta dish into a protein-packed meal. It’s perfect for lunchboxes or as a light dinner option. For a zesty kick, a Southwestern macaroni salad with corn, black beans, cilantro, and a chili-lime dressing is full of flavor and perfect for summer gatherings.
One of the great things about macaroni salad is that it can be made ahead of time. In fact, letting it chill in the refrigerator for a few hours allows the flavors to blend together, making it even tastier. This makes it a great make-ahead option for parties, meal prep, or busy weeknights.
The texture is also key to a great macaroni salad. The pasta should be cooked just until tender—overcooking can make it mushy. Crunchy vegetables like bell peppers, carrots, and celery add contrast, while fresh herbs bring brightness. The dressing should be creamy but not overpowering, coating every bite without making it heavy.
From classic recipes to creative new twists, these 9 easy macaroni salads offer something for everyone. They’re simple, adaptable, and always a hit, whether you’re feeding a crowd or making a quick side dish for dinner. With these recipes in your collection, you’ll be ready to bring a delicious, crowd-pleasing dish to any table—no matter the season.
Amish Macaroni Salad
“A colorful and flavorful macaroni salad made with hard cooked eggs, bell pepper and celery in a creamy dressing,” says recipe creator CONNIE0751. This sweet macaroni salad is one of the most popular macaroni salads on Allrecipes.
Amelia’s Tuna Macaroni Salad
This creamy macaroni salad includes celery, sweet onion, peas, relish, and hard-cooked eggs. “I made this recipe for a small cook out we were having with friends,” says Mamacheese2004. “I really love this recipe. The only thing I would change is I would use frozen peas, thawed, in place of the canned peas.”
Hawaiian Mac Salad
You might be surprised that this Hawaiian macaroni salad is made with potatoes, but it’s an optional extra that Hawaiian mac salads can handle. Sweet Maui onion, hard-cooked egg, and matchstick carrots round out the mix for a salad that you’d find on Hawaiian plate lunches all over the islands. To tweak this recipe so it’s more authentic, skip the Italian-style dressing and sprinkle 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar over the cooked macaroni, carrots, and onion, and let it all sit for about 15 minutes. Fold in the rest of the ingredients and there you have it. Purists might add a bit of sugar to the mix, but that’s up to you.
Mindy’s Macaroni Salad
Sweet pickles, pimentos, and a touch of mustard add extra tang to this creamy macaroni salad. “Love this macaroni salad,” says Amy Jo. “Didn’t change a thing. Love the ‘sweet’ from the pickles and the ‘tang’ from the vinegar. This has been my go-to macaroni salad recipe this summer. Great recipe!”
Simple Ranch Chicken Macaroni Salad
Here’s a great way to use up extra cooked chicken. “I used whole wheat elbow macaroni, threw in a half cup or so of halved cherry tomatoes, used leftover ‘Mexican’ shredded chicken, and homemade dry ranch dressing mix,” says Sarah Jo. “Between the three of us (my two boys and I), we made quick work of this macaroni salad. NO leftovers.”
Chef John’s Classic Macaroni Salad
“Whether it’s sitting next to some smoky ribs or just a humble hot dog, this deli-style macaroni salad will always be a crowd favorite, as long as you pay attention to a few key details,” says Chef John. He reveals those details in the video below.
Herbed Macaroni Salad with Shrimp
Plan to make this the night before and let it rest in the fridge before stirring in the shrimp. Many reviewers cut back on the lemon juice and bumped up the herbs.
Macaroni, Pineapple, and Ham Salad
This quick and easy macaroni salad with ham is a good one to keep in the fridge for those hot days when you need a good meal but you don’t want to cook. If you’re looking for a macaroni salad made without mayo, give this a try.
Creamy Macaroni Salad
“I needed a quick & easy pasta salad recipe to make for my husband and 2 kids lunches throughout the week,” says McKenzie Kroes. “I doubled this recipe, to make a huge bowl that they will take all week 🙂 All 4 of us absolutely LOVE IT!”
