A classic Macaroni Salad that is a hit for potlucks, parties and BBQs with both kids and adults. It’s quick, easy and delicious recipe which makes it the perfect side dish. We love using shell pasta but you can really use any type you want to mix it up. Our favorite ad-ins in the pasta salad are peas, cubed ham and shredded cheese but the options are endless depending on your taste buds.
A few of our favorite dishes to pair with this Macaroni salad are firing up the smoker and making our famous Honey Garlic Ribs, Grilled BBQ Tenderloin on the grill or Balsamic Steak Skewers. For your sweet teeth make sure to finish this meal out with Strawberry Upside Down Cake!
The BEST Macaroni Salad
This Macaroni Salad comes straight for my husband’s family’s recipe box! Particularly his Mom’s, so I knew it was going to be a tried and true recipe that has been tested over and over. This simple and basic Macaroni salad has pasta, shredded cheese, ham and peas that’s covered in a mayonnaise sauce.
The hubby has requested this salad since were married I think. I had some leftover ham in the fridge after making One Pot Ham & Penne Skillet so I decided to attempt this recipe. It really wasn’t an “attempt” as it’s a pretty simple recipe, but this was round two on it!
The first time I made this I didn’t have his mother’s recipe and he just didn’t think it tasted right so after that I learned, always get the original! I bugged his sister and she delivered so I had the actual recipe this time.
What Do You Put in Macaroni Salad?
These are the ingredients you will need to make this easy Macaroni Salad
- Shell macaroni
- Celery salt
- Onion salt
- Mayonnaise
- Prepared mustard
- Seasoning salt
- Cheddar cheese
- Peas
- Ham
Other great additions to this macaroni salad would be red onion, celery, bell pickle, relish and hard boiled eggs. You can totally change this up to reflect your personal taste. That’s why I love this classic macaroni salad so much!
How to Make Macaroni Salad
- Boil shell macaroni according to directions. Drain, rinse with cold water and set aside.
- Mix together celery salt, onion salt, Mayonnaise, mustard and seasoning salt in large bowl. Add noodles, cheddar cheese, peas and ham. Mix well. Chill until serving.
More great ad-ins for your salad!
- Diced onion
- Diced celery
- Cubed cheese (instead of shredded)
- Diced red pepper
- Shredded carrots
- Pickles
- Pickle juice
- Crumbled bacon bits
- Diced hard boiled eggs
This would be perfect for all your summer grilling and time at the lake!
This has also became one of my favorite salads to serve at my kid’s birthday parties. The bowl is always cleaned out by the end of the party so it’s a staple in my rotation, plus my girls love to sneak into the fridge and grab some before the party even starts.
Tips and Tricks for making Macaroni Salad!
Here are a few tips and tricks to make this the best macaroni salad you will ever have!
If you have any other questions leave me a comment below and I’ll try to give you an answer!
How Long Can Macaroni Salad Sit Out?
This is a bit of a tricky question. Macaroni salad can sit out for up to 2 hours at room temperature, but there are factors that play into this. If it is sitting in the sun at an outdoor function it can spoil much faster.
Try to keep it in the shade when you are serving otherwise put a large bowl under the bowl with the macaroni salad in it and then put ice in that bowl to keep it cold longer.
How Long Can I Store Macaroni Salad in the Fridge?
You can safely store this macaroni salad in the fridge for up to 5 days. Store in an airtight container to maximize freshness.
How can I reduce sodium in this salad?
To lower the sodium content in this pasta salad you can skip the seasoning salt. You can also sub out the onion salt for onion powder, but only use 1/4 tsp or just skip it all together and add in fresh diced purple onions! Another easy way to reduce the sodium is to skip the celery salt and dice fresh celery and add that to the salad instead.
Can I substitute something for the mayo?
Yes! We recommended using half mayo and half non-fat Greek yogurt if you are trying to not use as much mayo. The flavor will change a bit but we think it’s still delicious! 
More salad recipes for a crowd!
- Taco Salad
- Best Ever Potato Salad
- Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
- Blueberry Feta Salad
- Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad
What Should I Serve with Pasta Salad?
I love bringing this to potlucks and serving it at parties, plus it makes a great side dish to summer meals! Here are a few of my favorite recipes to pair with this Macaroni Salad.
WATCH THE STEP BY STEP VIDEO FOR THIS MACARONI SALAD RECIPE BELOW:
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Try it and love it? Rate it, please!!! 😋Seriously though a five-star rating below will make my day! If you snap a photo, please be sure tag me on Instagram at @julieseatsandtreats or #julieseatsandtreats so I can see your yummy treat!!
Macaroni Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 16 oz shell macaroni
- 1/2 tsp celery salt
- 1 tsp onion salt
- 1 pt mayonnaise
- 3/4 tsp prepared mustard
- 1/4 tsp seasoning salt
- 8 oz cheddar cheese grated
- 1 16 oz pkg frozen peas, rinsed with warm water
- 1 c. diced ham
Instructions
- Boil shell macaroni according to directions. Drain, rinse with cold water and set aside.
- Mix together celery salt, onion salt, Mayonnaise, mustard, seasoning salt in large bowl. Add noodles, cheddar cheese, peas and ham. Mix well. Chill until serving.
Lisa @ Flour Me With Love says
April 18, 2012 at 7:01 amI look forward to trying this 🙂
Jen @ Juanita's Cocina says
April 18, 2012 at 8:12 amOy. Childhood memories just flooded back for me!
Pinning and can’t wait to try!
Anonymous says
April 18, 2012 at 6:19 pmSounds like a great recipe to try! Please forgive me for sounding dumb, but I have a few questions…1-when you say “salad dressing”, do you mean mayonnaise? 2-by “mustard”, do you mean just the regular yellow mustard? 3-what is your favorite brand of season salt? Thank you!
Julie Evink says
April 19, 2012 at 11:33 amSalad Dressing – I used Miracle Whip, but it’s a personal preference and you can also use mayonnaise!
Mustard – Is yellow mustard. Not the dry mustard.
Seasoning Salt – My favorite is Lowry’s, but each to their own!
Hope this helps!
Krista says
April 22, 2012 at 8:51 pmI love peas in pasta salad! Thanks for sharing at Church Supper. Have a blessed week & please come back soon ~EMM
Nancy says
July 3, 2013 at 11:40 amLooks like the one they serve at Ruby Tuesdays, cannot wait to try it.
Julie Evink says
July 3, 2013 at 3:20 pmThanks Nancy!
Nancy says
July 15, 2013 at 5:44 pmTried it tonight. Oh my goodness good.
Julie Evink says
July 16, 2013 at 9:40 amGreat Nancy!
Melanie says
May 30, 2014 at 3:15 pmEvery Saturday morning I wake up, have my coffee and start my menu planning for the week. My husband chimes in once in a while and points things out. This last week he saw this as I was scrolling away looking for new things to try and of course he is a man and likes the basic simple things in life. So I gave it a whirl and oh my stars….this was fantastic. Even better a few days later. I only made half the recipe as there are only two of us. This will be my go-to mac salad for summer BBQ’s. Thank you!!
Julie Evink says
June 3, 2014 at 11:27 amOh I’m so glad to hear this Melanie! This is my husband’s mom’s recipe and it’s always a favorite at any event!
Connie goll says
September 15, 2018 at 1:28 pmWhat to do. For too much cerley salt in the macaroni salad please help
Julie Evink says
September 16, 2018 at 9:18 pmI’m sorry there’s not much you can do unless you double the entire recipe and skip the celery salt the next time!
Cate says
February 10, 2019 at 3:41 amWhat amount is 1 pt mayo listed in ingredients list?
Julie Evink says
February 11, 2019 at 9:07 pmThere are two cups in a pint.
Judy says
May 24, 2019 at 3:54 amIs 1pt. Mayo, 2 cups?
Linda Hulsebos says
May 24, 2019 at 12:46 pmI have had this salad and really like it but instead of ham I like flaked tuna in it much better.