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Southern macaroni salad is a vibrant combination of colors and textures with a sweet and tangy dressing to hold it all together. This is one of those beautifully tasty pasta recipes that makes people love macaroni salad, and it comes together in just 30 minutes.
This salad isn’t one of those dainty pasta salad recipes. It’s a hearty combination of elbow macaroni and crisp summer vegetables, all coated in a distinctively sweet and tangy Southern-style dressing with an irresistibly fresh flavor.
If you’re a fan of macaroni salads, be sure to try my Classic Macaroni Salad, Hawaiian Macaroni Salad, or Macaroni Salad with Egg.
For even more variations, don’t miss my Macaroni Salad Recipes collection, where I share all the best versions for every occasion. And if you’re looking for even more easy sides beyond macaroni salad, be sure to browse my full Pasta Salad Recipes collection, including Italian, Mediterranean, and more fresh favorites.
Let’s make this!
What I Love About Southern Macaroni Salad
There are just so many things to love about this southern macaroni salad, I could go on and on. I love the slightly sweet nuances in the cold creamy dressing and the invitingly beautiful presentation of the dish itself. The fact that it only takes 10 minutes to put together is another big plus in my book. Here are even more great reasons to love this dish.
- Totally flexible recipe
- Robust flavor
- Beautiful presentation
- Comes together quickly
- Wholesome and nutritious
- Multiple uses
Southern Macaroni Salad Ingredients
- Macaroni – I prefer to use the elbow macaroni in this recipe and take a stroll down memory lane, but others will work, too. Mini farfalle, affectionately referred to as bowtie pasta, will work just as well or you can even use the small conchiglie pasta (shells).
- Salt + Pepper: Use simple table salt and freshly cracked black pepper.
- Mayonnaise: Use either Duke’s or Best Foods, depending on where you live in the country.
- Condensed Milk: This recipe is super creamy because it calls for sweetened condensed milk instead of sugar. Sugar works, as we all know, but it can remain gritty sometimes and its hard to get the measurement just right. With the sweetened condensed milk, you don’t have to worry about that. Plus, it helps bind all the other ingredients together for a thick dreamy dressing that coats all the different playful textures.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: Adds the right touch of gentle acidity.
- Paprika – don’t skip the paprika as some people do. It combines with the apple cider vinegar to infuse a bit of a smoky tangy undertone that really takes the dressing to the next level.
- Dry Mustard: I use Coleman’s.
- Onion: Yellow onion is my favorite for this salad.
- Bell Pepper: You can use any color you’d like. I love red bell pepper in this salad.
- Celery: I love the crunch and flavor celery brings to the salad. I like it minced very finely.
Easy Macaroni Salad Recipe Notes
Making this easy macaroni salad is so simple if you know the little tricks to pull it together!
- Pasta: One cardinal rule for making great pasta salad involves draining and rinsing your pasta after it cooks. Normally you should avoid rinsing pasta for many recipes but when making pasta salad you want to stop your pasta from cooking completely.
- Seasoning: Speaking of which, you should season your pasta salad rather aggressively. Foods that are served cold, such as an easy pasta salad, requires more seasoning to taste because chilling kind of dulls the natural flavors.
- Resting: Lastly, it is important to let your southern macaroni salad rest in the fridge before serving and/or eating. Resting time can vary with recipes and I know it can be hard to walk away but I find this one tastes best if it rests overnight.
- Cooking Tips: Cooking the noodles takes a little time but not much, usually 7-9 minutes. You want to keep your pasta al dente so it doesn’t get soggy and ruin your southern macaroni salad.
- Regardless of what you’ve heard before, you must salt your pasta water for maximum flavor. I find that 2 tablespoons per 4-6 quarts of water is typically ideal. Contrary to popular belief, it doesn’t have anything to do with raising the boiling point.
- Pasta absorbs the water as it cooks. So, if you salt the water appropriately it will absorb the salt too, essentially seasoning the pasta from the inside out. That is really the key to making incredible tasting pasta!
Storing + Freezing + Make-Ahead
- Old Fashioned Macaroni Salad Recipe Storing Tips: Of course, you’ll need to store your southern macaroni salad in an airtight container in the fridge. If that big huge bowl takes up too much space and your fridge is already packed, you can store your macaroni salad in two 1-gallon Ziploc bags. That will save some room and still allow all the yummy flavors to mingle.
- If you are preparing for the week and you know you’ll be taking southern macaroni salad for lunch a few times, then go ahead and store it in some single serve portion containers. It just makes things easier for you to grab and go.
- Can You Freeze This? Sorry! Unfortunately, you just can’t freeze this one. Since it only takes 10 minutes to throw together, there really is no need.
- If you are prepping and looking to save some time, go ahead and pre-make the dressing and store it in an airtight container in the fridge. I find a mason jar works great for this.
- You can also chop the veggies and do the same with them. When you are ready to make your southern macaroni salad, simply boil your elbow pasta and combine everything. Voila!
- How Long Can You Keep This? Well, if you store it properly it will stay fresh for 3-5 days in the fridge. It should be kept at or below 40 degrees Fahrenheit and you should observe the recommended window (less than 2 hours) for serving at potlucks and get togethers.

Classic Macaroni Salad Recipe Variations
Tweaking this macaroni salad to suit your personal taste and dietary restrictions is just a given! Of course, the original recipe is pretty bang up just like it is so you may want to give it a try before you change it.
- Add more herbs: You can add some nice flavor and dress up your southern macaroni salad before serving it by using some fresh herbs. You only want to do this right before you serve it, though.
- Fresh herbs are delicate, and they do their best work immediately after they are chopped. I love adding cilantro, dill or basil depending on my mood and the occasion.
- Add protein: Adding protein is one way to dress up your southern macaroni salad. Cubed ham is really good for this and the slightly salty flavor is great with the sweet smoky nuances in the dressing! Half a can of black beans is great too and they add some beautiful color to your salad.
- Add cheese: Cheese is another great option because everything is better with cheese! I find that cubed cheese works best with this recipe. Cheddar, Colby and Monterey jack are all great options.
- Olives: For a really feisty twist, you can even add some olives or capers to your southern macaroni salad. I would be conservative though.
More Pasta Salad Recipes
- Tuna Macaroni Salad
- Chicken Macaroni Salad
- Antipasto Salad
- Chicken Pasta Salad
- Greek Pasta Salad
- Italian Pasta Salad
- Pesto Pasta Salad
- Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing
- California Spaghetti Salad
- Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
- Shrimp Pasta Salad
- Tuna Pasta Salad
Tried This Recipe?
Leave a review, I love hearing your feedback! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Southern Macaroni Salad
Ingredients
- 1 pound uncooked elbow macaroni
- salt
- black pepper
- 2 cups mayonnaise
- 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon dry mustard
- 1 large red onion chopped
- 1 green bell pepper chopped
- 1 red bell pepper chopped
- 1 cup celery chopped
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add macaroni (1 pound) and cook until al dente, about 9 minutes. Rinse under cold water to stop cooking then drain well.
- In a medium bowl make a dressing by whisking together mayonnaise (2 cups), condensed milk (1 can), vinegar (1/2 cup), paprika (1 tablespoon), mustard (1 teaspoon), salt, and black pepper until smooth.
- In a large bowl add the cooked pasta, onion, green and red bell peppers, celery (1 cup), and whisked dressing. Fold gently until well combined. Refrigerate overnight and serve.









Best macaronisalad I have had!
Thanks for sharing!
Yay, Gini! Thank you so much! 🙂
Oh my gosh, this is SO GOOD! Everyone loved this salad! I was intrigued with the ingredient of sweetened condensed milk, so decided to try it. (That, plus all the great reviews!) It is a unique flavor and a keeper recipe! So glad to add this to my collection of your recipes, Kathleen.
Leesa, I’m so happy it was a hit for you!!!
I made this salad for a pot luck picnic last summer. EVERYONE loved it and wanted the recipe. I’ll be making a lot this summer. It goes with anything and can also be a meal in itself. Thanks so much for sharing.
PS.-I’ve seen many recipes that add about 1/2 cup of sugar to this but that makes it WAY too sweet. Your recipe is the topper!!!
Carla
Cobourg Ontario
Ooooh that’s awesome, Carla! 😀 Hope you enjoy it again!
I’m having macaroni and tomato sauce for dinner. I’ll use the remaining macaroni for this salad! Yum!
Yay! Enjoy! 🙂
Just FYI, this site is using your pictures on a different recipe without credit: https://mindwaft.com/how-to-make-the-best-macaroni-salad/
Thank you so much for looking out for me Maggie <3 <3 <3
I just have to leave you a comment about this delicious salad (as one Southern gal to another, right?!). Today was my 2nd time to make this. The 1st try was good, but I made the mistake of just going by the ingredient list that showed up when I hit pin, and I should’ve known to go to your website. But, alas, I didn’t, and initially only used 1/4 of the sweetened condensed milk. I added a bit more, as it needed more moisture, and it was really tasty, just not creamy! Realizing something was wrong, I went to your website. I made this today, with the full can this time, and it is divine! I don’t know if I want to share lol! Love your recipes, and may make the peach crisp or cobbler after while. Thanks for sharing your recipes, and happy 4th to you and your family!
Hi Sheri. Wow, what a lovely comment. So glad you came to the website and got the full recipe! I’m happy to hear you love this salad and I really appreciate your sweet sentiments! You made my day 🙂
What kind of fresh herbs did you put on top?
Hi Ashley. Just a little bit of chopped flat leaf parsley for more color 🙂
wow very yummy! Thank you for sharing your recipe!
Thank you Jodi hope you enjoy!
I sub mayo with Veganiase. No saturated fat but creamy and delicious. I also made only half the pasta but the same amount of veggies. More colorful and crunchy which is exactly what we love!
Hey Joyoga. Love the modifications! Sounds delish 😉
Your website makes me happy! I just joined last week, I NEVER write comments but just want you to know that I can’t wait to try your recipes. Perfect morning… Coffee, ipad, back into bed to plan my foodie day! Thanks Kathleen!
Wow Lezlie how very lovely of you to say!!! Thanks for joining. I’m so happy you’re here with me 😉
Could you use miracle whip?
Hi Darcy! I Love Miracle Whip! I would not use it in this recipe though because it is already pretty sweet on it’s own. The sweeetened cond. milk makes this salad really creamy and it stays well dressed. It seems like it also helps the dressing not completely absorb into the pasta salad so I hate to mess with adjusting that to compensate for the sweetness of MW.
Made and it was great
Thanks Darcy so glad you liked it!
Is that a whole can of condensed milk? I can’t imagine that much sweetness in a macaroni salad but the reviews say it’s a winner!
Hi Angela. Yes I use a whole can. This makes a sweet Southern style dressing.
What is the fresh green herb in the picture~parsely?
Hey Beth, yes I sprinkled some parsely on for it’s beauty shot! LOL
Hello,
Do you prefer any special brand of pasta?
Thank you!
Jodi
Hey Jodi, Barilla or DeCecco are my favorites 🙂
THIS IS AWESOME!! I served this at my sons confirmation luncheon and EVERYONE wanted the recipe! My 11 year old nephew couldn’t get enough of it. I thought he would get a tummy ache from eating so much, lol. This will be a regular at all of our family functions! THANK YOU!
Macaroni salad never looked better!