Go Back
–+ servings
southern macaroni salad with tomatoes, cheese and celery
Print Recipe
5 from 2 votes

Southern Macaroni Salad Recipe

This creamy Southern Macaroni Salad recipe is a staple down south, and the best you'll find for picnics, potluck dinners and summer barbecues!
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Course: Salads
Cuisine: Southern
Servings: 12 servings
Calories: 323kcal
Author: Debi Morgan | Quiche My Grits

Equipment

Ingredients

MACARONI SALAD

  • 16 oz. elbow macaroni
  • 1 cup celery diced
  • 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese cubed
  • 1 cup cocktail tomatoes sliced in half
  • ½ cup cucumber diced
  • ½ cup green onion diced
  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 3 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar
  • 2 Tbsp. sugar

SEASONINGS

  • ¼ tsp. garlic salt
  • ¼ tsp. onion powder
  • ¼ tsp. ground mustard
  • ¼ tsp. celery seed
  • ¼ tsp. dried parsley
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Bring 2 quarts of salted water to a boil in a large pot.
  • Add macaroni and cook 10 minutes.
  • Dice celery, tomatoes, cucumbers and onion while noodles are boiling.
  • Drain macaroni and cool down by rinsing with cold water. 
  • In a separate large mixing bowl, mix celery, cheese, tomatoes, onion, mayonnaise, vinegar and sugar together. 
  • Add all seasonings and mix well.
  • Place macaroni in a large serving dish and pour dressing over top. Mix well.
  • Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours.
  • When ready to serve, add a tablespoon of mayonnaise to the salad to loosen it up. Add salt and pepper to taste. 

Notes

  • Time does not include refrigeration. If not serving right away, refrigerate for at least 2 hours to chill the salad.
  • Serve Southern Macaroni Salad over lettuce as a main dish, or as a side for barbecue, burgers or hot dogs.
  • Only boil macaroni for 10 minutes. Cooking longer will cause it to be mushy.
  • Adding extra mayonnaise just before serving will loosen up the salad that has absorbed most of the dressing. 
  • Store leftover salad in the refrigerator for up to 3 days in an airtight container. Be sure to keep this dish on ice if serving outdoors at a picnic.
  • This recipe shouldn't sit out of the refrigerator unless it's on ice. It shouldn't reach room temperature due to safety concerns.
  • Since this dish contains mayonnaise, freezing is not recommended. The veggies and mayonnaise don't freeze well so it's best to eat this recipe within 3 days.
  • View the Google Web Story for Macaroni Salad! 

Nutrition

Calories: 323kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Sodium: 229mg | Potassium: 174mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 90mg | Iron: 1mg