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Home » Recipes » Salad and Salad Dressings

Creamy Pasta Salad Recipe

Published: Apr 26, 2024 · Modified: Mar 29, 2025 by Debra Clark · 27 Comments

Jump to Recipe Pin Recipe

You'll love my grandma's Creamy Pasta Salad Recipe! It's filled with crunchy veggies, tender pasta, and bacon. Topped with a creamy dressing, this old-fashioned macaroni salad is great for your next picnic, cookout or barbecue! You'll get rave reviews from family and friends!

Vegetable Macaroni Salad on plates with forks.
Simple Macaroni Salad Recipe

Looking for another great pasta salad for your next get-together? Be sure and try this mayo-free Italian Bow Tie Pasta Salad filled with fresh veggies!

Jump to:
  • ❤️ Creamy macaroni salad
  • 🗒️ Ingredients
  • Instructions
  • Equipment
  • 🙋‍♀️ FAQ's
  • Top Tip
  • Variations
  • Storage
  • More great past and potato salad recipes
  • Serving suggestions
  • Macaroni Pasta Salad Recipe

❤️ Creamy macaroni salad

✔️ Creamy pasta salad loaded with veggies and packed with bacon and cheese. Need I say more?

✔️ It's a great side dish, almost a meal in itself!

✔️ It's a quick and easy recipe for a cook-out and it makes a great summertime side dish when you're grilling.

You'll love it, as much as we do, I promise!

Ingredients for the recipe with print overlay.
This classic macaroni salad recipe is always a hit!

🗒️ Ingredients

Please refer to the recipe card at the bottom of this post 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.
Step-by-step instructions to make the recipe with print overlay.

Instructions

This is an overview of the instructions for the easy macaroni salad recipe. For complete written instructions, just scroll down to the bottom of the blog post.

  1. Cook the pasta and drain. Cool and refrigerate.
  2. Cook and crumble the bacon.
  3. Dice the the veggies and cube the cheese.
  4. Combine the noodles, bacon, cheese and vegetables in a large bowl.
  5. 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 necessary.

Equipment

  • Mixing bowls, measuring spoons and a good knife.

Here are some of my favorite products you'll need for chopping, dicing and mixing your pasta salad.

🙋‍♀️ FAQ's

Can you make pasta salad ahead of time?

Absolutely! In fact, it will taste better if it's made ahead of time. Another option is to cook the pasta a day ahead. Rinse it well, toss with olive oil and store in a Ziploc bag or well-sealed container.

Why should pasta noodles be chilled before adding salad dressing?

Because if you add dressing when the pasta is warm or hot, it will soak up a ton of dressing, resulting in soggy pasta.

Vegetable Macaroni Salad in bowl.
Easy Pasta Salad Recipe

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.

  • Don't overcook the pasta. Cook to al dente as per package instructions.
  • Chill pasta quickly by draining it well using a colander. Then place the colander in a bowl of ice water for a minute or two, drain well, and refrigerate.
  • If it's too dry - stir it well right before serving. If the salad isn't creamy add additional salad dressing and stir again. Check the seasoning before serving.

Variations

Looking for some other ways to doll up this Macaroni Pasta Salad Recipe?

  • Chilled cooked shrimp is amazing in this recipe.
  • Add diced red bell peppers or green bell peppers. Dill pickles or sweet pickles would add a nice vinegary bite!
  • 2-3 Chopped boiled eggs or is a great addition.
  • 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.

Storage

Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container. It doesn't freeze well, eat and enjoy. After day five, discard any leftovers.

Vegetable Macaroni Salad in bowl with serving spoon.
Classic Macaroni Salad Recipe

More great past 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.

Serving suggestions

I think grilled meat and macaroni pasta salad goes together so well! Here are some great recipes that I recommend! For a complete listing of all things grilled, be sure to check out the summer grilling recipes!

  • Teriyaki Chicken Kabobs - sweet, salty and char grilled until tender.
  • Grilled Chili Lime Chicken - so much flavor with so little effort!
  • Air Fryer Hot Dogs - I love a great dog!
  • Every summer BBQ should have grilled Beer Brats - so good and so easy with this simple recipe!
  • BBQ Tri Tip Recipe - only 30 minutes to make! Thinly sliced, tender and juicy every time!

If you love this as much as we do, be sure to leave a five-star rating below! I reply to every comment on the blog, and I'd appreciate hearing what you think of this recipe!

Vegetable Macaroni Salad in bowl.
5 from 15 votes

Macaroni Pasta Salad Recipe

Crunchy vegetables and salty bacon are loaded into this Creamy Macaroni Salad! Topped with coleslaw salad dressing, this is SO GOOD and so easy!!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe SaveSaved!
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Prep Time15 minutes mins
Cook Time10 minutes mins
Total Time25 minutes mins
Course: Lunch or Dinner
Cuisine: American
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 335kcal
Author: Deb Clark

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

Allow the pasta to completely cool before adding the salad dressing. If you add the salad dressing when the pasta is hot, it will soak it up, using twice as much. It will cause the elbow macaroni pasta to get mushy!
 

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    Nutrition

    Calories: 335kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 31mg | Sodium: 692mg | Potassium: 439mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 2030IU | Vitamin C: 73.8mg | Calcium: 155mg | Iron: 1.2mg

    This recipe was originally part of a blog hop and a recipe I shared from Aunt Bee's Recipes.

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    About Debra Clark

    Hey I'm Deb Clark, and I'm the owner of Bowl Me Over! We live in the sleepy little town of Scappoose, Oregon. And I admit it... I love food! Join me in this foodie journey (even if you've never cooked before!) I will help you learn to be confident in the kitchen! Want to learn more? Let's stay connected, you can email me at debra@bowl-me-over.com and find me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.

    Comments

      5 from 15 votes (1 rating without comment)

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Deanna says

      May 01, 2019 at 4:58 pm

      5 stars
      Mmm I love macaroni salad!!! This salad, OMG!!!!

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over says

        May 11, 2019 at 1:23 pm

        Thanks Deanna!!

        Reply
    2. Lori V says

      May 01, 2019 at 4:51 pm

      5 stars
      Some of my very favorite flavors in one delicious salad. I'm gonna be making this all summer long.

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over says

        May 11, 2019 at 1:23 pm

        Absolutely!! It's a real favorite here!!!

        Reply
    3. Julie Menghini says

      April 29, 2019 at 6:38 pm

      5 stars
      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!

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over says

        May 11, 2019 at 1:24 pm

        Yum, yum, yum!! It's so delicious, enjoy!

        Reply
    4. Kylee from Kylee Cooks says

      April 29, 2019 at 9:43 am

      I mean, you had me at bacon.... but this looks like a fantastic addition to my salad rotation for the summer!

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over says

        May 11, 2019 at 1:25 pm

        Never have too much bacon 😉 totally with you there!

        Reply
    5. Angela says

      April 29, 2019 at 7:11 am

      5 stars
      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.

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over says

        May 11, 2019 at 1:25 pm

        Good old fashion macaroni salad - always a classic favorite!!

        Reply
    6. Amy says

      April 29, 2019 at 6:22 am

      5 stars
      This is always the most popular salad of the summer, isn't it? I think this is the recipe I would have chosen too!

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over says

        May 11, 2019 at 1:26 pm

        Great minds think alike Amy!!!

        Reply
    7. Brandi Burgess says

      April 28, 2019 at 7:33 pm

      5 stars
      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!

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over says

        May 11, 2019 at 1:26 pm

        I'm in LOVE with this salad - It's so good Brandi! Thank you for letting me share it with my readers!

        Reply
    8. Michaela Kenkel says

      April 28, 2019 at 2:54 pm

      5 stars
      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!!

      Reply
    9. Lisa@Lisa's Dinnertime Dish says

      April 28, 2019 at 2:48 pm

      5 stars
      I love pasta salad for summertime and this one has so much yumminess in it!!

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over says

        May 11, 2019 at 1:27 pm

        Most definitely Lisa! I hope you give it a try!!

        Reply
    10. Jennifer Stewart says

      April 28, 2019 at 2:38 pm

      5 stars
      This is perfect for a picnic or summer meal. My family will love this.

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over says

        May 11, 2019 at 1:27 pm

        I think so too - thank you, Jennifer!!!

        Reply
    11. Sandra Shaffer says

      April 28, 2019 at 8:07 am

      5 stars
      Loving the veggies and chunks of cheese in this pasta salad. What a great hearty dish to bring to a cookout!

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over says

        May 11, 2019 at 1:27 pm

        Yes, it's something everyone loves!!

        Reply
    12. debi at Life Currents says

      April 28, 2019 at 6:32 am

      5 stars
      This is perfect for all my summer parties - everyone loves a good pasta salad & this one looks amazing

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over says

        May 11, 2019 at 1:28 pm

        Thank you Debi!!

        Reply
    13. Madi says

      April 28, 2019 at 4:59 am

      5 stars
      This looks like such an incredible summer side dish! I will definitely be making it for my next cook out!

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over says

        May 11, 2019 at 1:28 pm

        It will be the first thing gone Madi - it's such a favorite!

        Reply
    14. Erin Parker says

      April 27, 2019 at 7:09 pm

      5 stars
      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!

      Reply
    15. michele says

      April 27, 2019 at 4:18 pm

      5 stars
      Im always looking for new summertime salads and Im keeping this for the next BBQ! So many great flavors in it!

      Reply
    Blogger Deb Clark smiling at camera holding a plate filled with a casserole.
    Welcome to Bowl Me Over!

    Hey I'm Deb Clark! I'm the owner of Bowl Me Over. We live in a sleepy little town just north of Portland in the beautiful Pacific Northwest... (read more)

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