Old Fashioned Macaroni Salad

Old fashioned macaroni salad is the retro recipe that will remind you of growing up at Grandmas. Cue the big scoops on the side and lets get busy making this simple, but delicious, macaroni salad party side dish. Also a perfect salad for Thanksgiving, you cannot go wrong adding this one to the menu this holiday season.

One thing about an old fashioned macaroni salad recipe is that everyone has an opinion. There are hoards of variations regarding this traditional side dish and what you like in it or on it is something that is continuously debated. Growing up I was exposed to just about every macaroni salad that you can imagine.

From tangy to sweet, every picnic, church function and family get together has included this aging staple. And why not? Wrapped up in delicious spices and mayo, the pasta in the macaroni salad is so creamy and delicious.

Now this particular macaroni salad recipe is a basic version but its absolutely the best macaroni salad. It can be added and detracted from quite easily to make the recipe your own.

To mix your macaroni salad up, you can add olives or colored peppers and feel free to experiment with different pasta sizes as well. If you choose something other than the macroni’s and go with farfelle or fusille (the corkscrew pastas) it can bring a texture change that a lot of people really love as unique. 

If you make my macaroni salad and did something special with it, make sure you tag me at #SaltySideDish on social media so I can follow along!

Other Crowd Friendly Salads you may Love:

• Pea Salad
• Cherry Tomato Salad
• Red Potato Salad 
• Carrot Salad

Old Fashioned Macaroni Salad

This recipe version tastes like traditional macaroni salad. It’s a 10-15 minute salad, longer if you don’t have your pasta ready. You can also boil your pasta and cool a day before if you need to. 

• 4 cups cooked macaroni, about 2 cups dry
• 1 cup real mayonnaise
• 3 hard boiled eggs, chopped
• 1/2 cup diced celery
• 2 green onions, thinly sliced and divided
• 1 tablespoon prepared yellow mustard
• 1 tablespoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper

How to make Macaroni Salad

Add macaroni, eggs, and celery in a mixing bowl and mix well.

Stir in mayonnaise, mustard, onion powder, salt and pepper and mix well.

Add all but 1 teaspoon of green onions and mix well.

Refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight.

Serve with remaining onions sprinkled on top.

Serves 6-8

 

Old Fashioned Macaroni Salad Recipe

Yield: 6 people

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

Old fashioned macaroni salad is the retro recipe that will remind you of growing up at Grandmas. Cue the big scoops on the side and lets get busy making this simple, but delicious, party side dish. Also perfect for Thanksgiving, you cannot go wrong adding this one to the menu this holiday season.

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Ingredients

• 4 cups cooked macaroni, about 2 cups dry
• 1 cup real mayonnaise
• 3 hard boiled eggs, chopped
• 1/2 cup diced celery
• 2 green onions, thinly sliced and divided
• 1 tablespoon prepared yellow mustard
• 1 tablespoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper

Instructions

1. Add macaroni, eggs, and celery in a mixing bowl and mix well.
2. Stir in mayonnaise, mustard, onion powder, salt and pepper and mix well.
3. Add all but 1 teaspoon of green onions and mix well.
4. Refrigerate your Old Fashioned Macaroni Salad Recipe for 4 hours or overnight. Serve with remaining onions sprinkled on top.