Grandma's Creamy Pasta Salad is the kind of recipe that disappears first at every cookout. Loaded with crispy bacon, crunchy vegetables, tender pasta, and plenty of creamy dressing, this old-fashioned pasta salad has been stealing the spotlight at family gatherings for years.
Creamy macaroni salad
Grandma's Creamy Pasta Salad is the kind of recipe that disappears first at every cookout. Loaded with crispy bacon, crunchy vegetables, tender pasta, and plenty of creamy dressing, this old-fashioned pasta salad has been stealing the spotlight at family gatherings for years.
Macaroni Pasta Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound macaroni pasta noodles cooked to al dente, drain, cool completely
- 6-8 slices bacon cooked, drained and crumbled
- 1 head broccoli cut into florets
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes sliced in half
- ½ cucumber diced
- 1 stalk celery diced
- 1 carrots peeled and diced
- ½ red onion diced
- 1 cup cheddar cheese diced into small cubes
- ¾ cup coleslaw salad dressing start with ½ cup add additional salad dressing as needed.
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Cook the macaroni noodles to al dente. Drain the noodles. Cool to room temperature. Toss with a tablespoon of olive oil to keep the noodles from sticking together - refrigerate.
- Cook the bacon, cool and crumble the bacon.
- Prepare the vegetables - dice the cucumber, onion and celery, slice the tomatoes in half, peel and dice the carrot. Separate the broccoli into the florets.
- Cube the cheese.
- Combine the noodles, bacon, cheese and vegetables in a large bowl.
- Toss with about half the salad dressing. Season with salt and pepper. Cover and refrigerate. Right before serving, give it a good stir. Add additional salad dressing if needed. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
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🗒️ Ingredients
Please refer to the recipe card for the exact measurements.
- Macaroni noodles are the classic choice. Any bite-sized pasta, like bow ties or small pasta noodle will work in this salad recipe.
- Crispy bacon - salty ham would be a great substitution and delicious!
- Broccoli, cucumber, tomato, carrot, celery, red peppers, and black olives - most vegetables would be delicious!
- Red onion - green onions would be a great substitute.
- Extra sharp cheddar cheese and Monterey Jack cheese is terrific as well.
- Coleslaw dressing - store-bought or homemade. This tangy dressing is easy to make with mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, a couple of teaspoons of sugar, and a pinch of salt.
Variations
Looking for some other ways to doll up this Macaroni Pasta Salad Recipe?
- Add diced red bell peppers or green bell peppers. Dill pickles or sweet pickles would add a nice vinegary bite!
- If you'd prefer a creamier dressing use ½ cup mayonnaise and ¼ cup sour cream.
- Dice some refrigerator pickles to add to the pasta salad. You'll love the tangy flavor. Or add a splash of white wine vinegar.
Instructions
This is an overview of the instructions for the pasta salad.
🙋♀️ FAQ's
Yes! This is actually one of those recipes that tastes even better after it chills for a few hours. Making it ahead gives the pasta time to soak up all that creamy flavor. If the salad thickens after refrigeration, just stir in a splash of milk or an extra spoonful of dressing before serving.
Absolutely. Chopped ham, grilled chicken, cooked shrimp, or even diced hard-boiled eggs turn this side dish into a hearty lunch.
Top Tip
Allow the pasta to cool completely before adding the salad dressing. Adding the salad dressing when the pasta is hot will soak it up, using twice as much. It will cause the elbow macaroni pasta to get mushy.
More great pasta and potato salad recipes
Here are more great salad recipes I think you'll really enjoy!
- Southern Style Ham Pasta Salad. it's an easy side dish and a family favorite.
- This one is one of my favorite light lunches! Tuna Pasta Salad in a creamy sauce, it's SO GOOD!
- Italian Bow Tie Pasta Salad - Great for cookouts and bbq's because there's no mayo. It's tossed in a store-bought dressing and it's delicious!
- This is my Mom's recipe for Classic Potato Salad - we enjoy it all year long!
- Hawaiian Macaroni Salad - another great choice for bbq's and cookouts.
The pasta salad everyone goes back for
This creamy macaroni salad has everything you want in a classic summer side dish! With crunchy vegetables, crispy bacon, tender pasta, plenty of creamy dressing, and loads of flavor in every bite. It's easy to make ahead, easy to customize, and always one of the first bowls emptied at potlucks and cookouts.
Whether you're serving it next to burgers on the grill or sneaking a spoonful straight from the fridge at midnight like a raccoon in pajama pants, this old-fashioned pasta salad never disappoints!
Deanna says
Mmm I love macaroni salad!!! This salad, OMG!!!!
Bowl Me Over says
Thanks Deanna!!
Lori V says
Some of my very favorite flavors in one delicious salad. I'm gonna be making this all summer long.
Bowl Me Over says
Absolutely!! It's a real favorite here!!!
Julie Menghini says
What a beautiful salad and it's just in time for summer picnics! I'm pinning this to my favorite board so I don't lose it. I'm looking forward to trying it!
Bowl Me Over says
Yum, yum, yum!! It's so delicious, enjoy!
Kylee from Kylee Cooks says
I mean, you had me at bacon.... but this looks like a fantastic addition to my salad rotation for the summer!
Bowl Me Over says
Never have too much bacon 😉 totally with you there!
Angela says
Fantastic recipe! This really reminds me of one my mom used to make. I am definitely giving this a try this week! So much flavor, texture and color.
Bowl Me Over says
Good old fashion macaroni salad - always a classic favorite!!
Amy says
This is always the most popular salad of the summer, isn't it? I think this is the recipe I would have chosen too!
Bowl Me Over says
Great minds think alike Amy!!!
Brandi Burgess says
OMG I am SO glad you made and loved this recipe!!! It is literally my favorite macaroni salad on EARTH!!! Your photos are SO GREAT!!! Now I am craving this macaroni salad again LOL!
Bowl Me Over says
I'm in LOVE with this salad - It's so good Brandi! Thank you for letting me share it with my readers!
Michaela Kenkel says
Nothing says grilling season more than pasta salad! It literally goes with anything from hot dogs to pork loin! I can't wait to give your recipe a try!!
Lisa@Lisa's Dinnertime Dish says
I love pasta salad for summertime and this one has so much yumminess in it!!
Bowl Me Over says
Most definitely Lisa! I hope you give it a try!!
Jennifer Stewart says
This is perfect for a picnic or summer meal. My family will love this.
Bowl Me Over says
I think so too - thank you, Jennifer!!!
Sandra Shaffer says
Loving the veggies and chunks of cheese in this pasta salad. What a great hearty dish to bring to a cookout!
Bowl Me Over says
Yes, it's something everyone loves!!
debi at Life Currents says
This is perfect for all my summer parties - everyone loves a good pasta salad & this one looks amazing
Bowl Me Over says
Thank you Debi!!
Madi says
This looks like such an incredible summer side dish! I will definitely be making it for my next cook out!
Bowl Me Over says
It will be the first thing gone Madi - it's such a favorite!
Erin Parker says
Confession: I've never made macaroni salad before, and I had NO IDEA it was so easy... or that you could add veggies to it! Definitely putting this into rotation for summertime festivities and gatherings because this is brilliant.
Nicely done!
michele says
Im always looking for new summertime salads and Im keeping this for the next BBQ! So many great flavors in it!