Macaroni Salad with Egg is one of those timeless classics we all grew up with. It seems like every family has their own version of this recipe with the perfect sentimental story to go along with it. This particular version is one of those cold creamy macaroni salad recipes that make the perfect summer side dish!
It goes with practically anything, it’s totally de-lish and as simple as you can get! It’s also a pretty flexible recipe. It doesn’t take much to turn this into a super tuna macaroni salad that eats like a meal, a sweet Hawaiian macaroni salad, or just the best macaroni salad your family has ever tasted. BAM! Are you salivating yet?
Let’s get started…..
What I Love About This Recipe
There is nothing more satisfying on a hot day than getting a plate piled high with seared meat and smooth macaroni salad! Part of what makes macaroni salad with egg such a satisfying side dish is how chef-friendly this recipe is.
- Easy to prepare
- Gets better with fridge time!
- Simple, filling ingredients.
- Creamy dreamy heaven!
How To Make Macaroni Salad With Egg Recipe
Whipping up this awesome side dish can be complete in less than half an hour. Simply boil and cool your noodles and set aside while you chop the other veggies and eggs.
Now whip up your dressing and mix it all together. You’re done once you slide it in the fridge to marinade. Easy peasy!
Macaroni Salad With Eggs Recipe Notes
I’ve encountered a lot of barbecue-goers who shy away from the idea of making their own macaroni salad with eggs. This poor dish has gotten quite the reputation for being finicky or causing dreaded tummy aches if not done properly.
Here’s the most significant way to ensure the very best macaroni salad:
Al Dente – First, for dishes such as this, with heavy sauces, you want your pasta to be just prior to al dente. Since the noodles will be sitting in the pasta for a while (preferably overnight, to get really yummy!), you want the structure to stand up to the length and liquid. Soggy pasta will ruin a perfectly delicious macaroni salad.
Do I really rinse the pasta? Next, rinse the pasta after boiling. I know it goes against everything hardcore pasta cooks hold dear but its essential to this recipe. Washing off the starch will keep it from becoming a dry sticky mess.
- Small, sturdy noodles a tad on the crunchy side will ensure your pasta salad is perfect!
Egg Pasta Salad Ingredient Notes
You’ll need hard-boiled eggs to make this classic macaroni salad unless you just don’t want them. But let me tell you – absolutely nothing beats a creamy dreamy egg pasta salad on a hot summer afternoon.
Peeling Eggs – So, if peeling eggs is one of those chores you hate or you haven’t quite yet mastered I’ve got an easy trick to make this pasta salad a cinch.
- Just crack your boiled egg on a hard surface or roll it to break the shell. Then turn a spoon around backward and slip it under there. Work and wiggle it around the gg and the shell should come off easily – no-fuss peeling remastered!
Pasta – For cold salads like this, it’s always best to use small, sturdy pasta that can stand up to the creamy sauce over time. Bow tie, or farfalle all work great!
No sriracha? No problem: Don’t have sriracha in the house? A good, easy substitute is any hot sauce you have handy or even Tabasco sauce. Get creative! We just want that slight tickle of heat in the sauce.
Relish that relish: This recipe calls for sweet pickle relish — but don’t feel limited to that option. There are dozens to choose from at the grocery store, from salty to spicy to tangy. Get creative!
Tools to Make
Serving up an awesome salad is so simple it just may turn into your go-to summer side! And it doesn’t take a lot of crazy tools either. The most important thing is that you have a good colander to rinse and drain the pasta – and maybe a spoon for the eggs.
How Long Can You Keep This In The Fridge?
Your deeply satisfying creamy macaroni salad with egg will stay fresh and beautifully delicious for up to 4 days in the fridge. I do recommend you store it in an airtight container or cover tightly with cling wrap for best results.
Make Ahead Tips
Since this salad needs some chill time anyway, you’ll get the most tantalizing flavor profile if you can make it the day before serving. This is totally optional but – my, oh my – does it make a difference!
Serving Recommendations
Since this salad is loaded to the gills with dairy products, you’ll want to do your best to keep it cold even when serving. Treat it like a shrimp pasta salad or a bacon ranch pasta salad and try to reserve the FDA recommended 2-hour serving rule. I like to nestle mine in a big bowl of ice when serving.
Recipe Variations
This scrumptious salad is such a versatile recipe, a few simple substitutions can give you some completely different flavors. Here are some tasty suggestions.
- Up the protein factor with poultry and make chicken macaroni salad that eats like a meal.
- Grab your favorite barbecue sauce and make a smoky-sweet BBQ pasta salad that’s sure to steal the show.
- Add some sweetened condensed milk to the mix for a sweet-n-tangy Southern macaroni salad that’ll color you happy.
- Toss in all your South of the border fixins’ for a zesty taco pasta salad sure to curb the appetite and please the palate.
- A few simple swaps and some anchovy paste will turn this into a decadent caesar pasta salad that’s sure to satisfy.
Macaroni Salad With Egg
Ingredients
Salad
- 1 (16 ounce) box elbow macaroni
- 8 large hard-boiled eggs, peeled and diced
- 2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish
- 1 cup celery, small, chopped
- 1 cup red onion, small, chopped
- 1/2 cup parsley
Dressing
- 1 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup milk more as needed
- 1/4 teaspoon sriracha
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
- 2 teaspoons paprika
Instructions
- Cook the macaroni just until it's al dente according to package directions in lightly salted water; drain and rinse with cold water until completely cool. Set aside.
- Add all salad ingredients.
- In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together all dressing ingredients. Toss with salad ingredients until everything is well coated. Refrigerate for 6 hours or, better, overnight.
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More Pasta Salad Recipes
There are lots of yummy pasta salad recipes on the summer horizon! Here are a few delicious options you may want to whip up for your next warm-weather meal.
- Mediterranean Pasta Salad – A scrumptious myriad of colors and textures combine to make this delicious crowd pleaser.
- Dill Pickle Pasta Salad – Usher in the warm weather with this easy cheesy herbaceous summer salad.
- Pesto Pasta Salad – Bright lively flavors and healthy too!
- Italian Pasta Salad – A tangy penne salad, plenty of summer veggies, and a secret ingredient to kick things up a notch.
- Tortellini Salad – When you need a hearty nutritious salad that eats like a meal this is your go-to blend.
Conclusion
Creamy, chewy, and perfectly seasoned, macaroni salad with egg is the side dish that livens up any party. And if you bring this homemade version to your next gathering, I guarantee you’ll be the hit of the bash! I mean, it’s pasta in a mayo sauce. Who could not love you for serving this?
What do you like to pair your pasta salad with? Comment below!
Macaroni Salad With Egg
Ingredients
Salad
- 1 (16 ounce) box elbow macaroni
- 8 large hard-boiled eggs, peeled and diced
- 2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish
- 1 cup celery, small, chopped
- 1 cup red onion, small, chopped
- 1/2 cup parsley
Dressing
- 1 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup milk more as needed
- 1/4 teaspoon sriracha
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
- 2 teaspoons paprika
Instructions
- Cook the macaroni just until it's al dente according to package directions in lightly salted water; drain and rinse with cold water until completely cool. Set aside.
- Add all salad ingredients.
- In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together all dressing ingredients. Toss with salad ingredients until everything is well coated. Refrigerate for 6 hours or, better, overnight.
Fans Also Made:
None found
RATE THIS RECIPENutrition
Conclusion
Creamy, chewy, and perfectly seasoned, macaroni salad with egg is the side dish that livens up any party. And if you bring this homemade version to your next gathering, I guarantee you’ll be the hit of the bash! I mean, it’s pasta in a mayo sauce. Who could not love you for serving this?
What do you like to pair your pasta salad with? Comment below!
Wht do you think Heidi’s turned out pink and yet the picture of your salad doesn’t look pink. She mentioned paprika, yet paprika is more on the orangey. I want to try this recipe. How should it look?
You usually comment but you didn’t. I have written down several of your recipes. Thanks, Ginger
Hi, Ginger. The dressing looks a little pink due to the combination of sriracha and paprika. Hope this helps!
Delicious, but my salad was a pretty pink from the paprika I guess. 🙂
My new favorite macaroni salad
That’s so easy to make!! 🙂
Enjoy! 🙂