You know those mayo pasta salad recipes you find at every summer BBQ, sitting sadly next to the potato chips? Forget them.
This is the best macaroni salad recipe—creamy, tangy, and packed with fresh veggies, not just elbow pasta and a ton of mayonnaise. I grew up dodging bland pasta salad at family picnics, but after mixing up this pasta salad dressing recipe with mayo (and a secret love for crunch), everyone actually asks for seconds.
Welcome to your new favorite classic macaroni salad—yes, you might want to hide a bowl for yourself.
Mayo-Based Pasta Salad with Fresh Veggies
Equipment
- Large pot
- Strainer or colander
- Large mixing bowl
- Knife
- Cutting board
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Mixing spoon
Ingredients
- 2 cups dried macaroni or ditalini pasta about 8 oz
- 1 cup small broccoli florets
- ½ cup diced cucumber
- ½ cup finely diced red bell pepper
- ½ cup sliced black olives
- ¼ cup very thinly sliced green onion
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2 teaspoons white wine vinegar or plain white vinegar
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt plus extra for pasta water
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon sugar
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add a big pinch of salt, pour in the pasta, and cook according to the package instructions.2 cups dried macaroni or ditalini pasta
- Blanch the Broccoli: About one minute before the pasta is done, add the broccoli florets right into the boiling water with the pasta. After one minute, drain both the pasta and broccoli together in a colander and rinse well with cold water to cool them off fast.1 cup small broccoli florets
- Make the Mayo Dressing: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, vinegar, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, black pepper, and sugar until you have a smooth, creamy dressing. This is your mayo-based magic.½ cup mayonnaise, 2 teaspoons white wine vinegar or plain white vinegar, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, ½ teaspoon ground black pepper, ½ teaspoon sugar
- Mix Pasta with Dressing: Add the cooled pasta and broccoli to the bowl with the mayo-based dressing. Stir it all together until every noodle is coated.
- Add the Veggies: Toss in the cucumber, red bell pepper, black olives, and green onion. Mix until everything looks colorful and covered in that creamy mayo dressing.½ cup diced cucumber, ½ cup finely diced red bell pepper, ½ cup sliced black olives, ¼ cup very thinly sliced green onion
- Chill and Serve: Taste and add more salt or pepper if you need to. Cover the bowl and refrigerate your mayo-based pasta salad until you’re ready to serve. Stir again before eating, and if it looks a little dry after chilling, just add another spoonful of mayo and mix it up.
Creamy Mayo-Based Macaroni Salad Tips You Wish Your Aunt Had Known 🙃
🥒 Veggie Insanity
Go wild! Swap in celery, shredded carrot, or even frozen peas if you want a color explosion. The more veggies you sneak in, the more you can call it “healthy” (I won’t tell).
🧅 Onion Overload?
If you want less bite, soak the green onions in cold water for 5 minutes before tossing them in. Your breath (and date) will thank you.
🍝 No Macaroni? No Problem!
Ditalini, small shells, or even elbow pasta’s curly cousin—cavatappi—all work here. Just don’t show up with spaghetti and call it “macaroni salad,” please.
🥚 Egg It Up
If you love a classic macaroni salad with egg, chop up a couple of hard-boiled eggs and throw them in. Suddenly, you’re the “protein hero.”
💪 Mayo vs. Greek Yogurt
Trying to make your mayonnaise based pasta salad a little lighter? Sub in half Greek yogurt and half mayo for a creamy twist no one will notice (unless you tell them, but why would you do that?).
💥 Dressing Drama
Does your pasta soak up all the dressing overnight? Just stir in an extra spoonful of mayo (or a splash of milk) right before serving. Nobody wants a dry pasta salad—this isn’t the desert.
🥒 Pickle People
Add a few chopped sweet pickles or a splash of pickle juice for a tangy punch. It’s like a little secret handshake for deli salad lovers.
🧂 Seasoning Saves Lives
Taste before you chill! Cold food needs a bit more salt, so don’t be shy. And don’t forget fresh black pepper for that deli counter vibe.
🎉 Potluck Pro Move
Make it the night before—this best macaroni salad gets even better after chilling (kind of like you after a nap).
Now you’ve got all my secrets—just don’t let my family know I told you!
