This Easy Macaroni Salad Recipe Is the Only One You'll Ever Need

On this episode of Keep It Simple, Chef Jon Ashton is showing us how to make the perfect homemade macaroni salad. This is a classic, creamy macaroni salad at its best—the ultimate cookout staple that reminds you of your childhood and is ideal for summer celebrations, such as Memorial Day, the 4th of July, Labor Day and more.

Related: How Much Potato Salad Do You Need for a BBQ?

While it seems like a no-brainer to just grab a tub of store-bought macaroni salad while you're picking up burgers, buns and other BBQ must-haves, trust us when we say: it's so easy to make macaroni salad from scratch. And it's cheaper, too!

Making homemade macaroni salad also allows you to control how much mayo you use; if you want to go for a lightened-up mac salad, simply use half mayo and half Greek yogurt or another non-fat yogurt.

Keep reading for the best-ever macaroni salad recipe and to watch a video to see it come together.

Related: 10 Macaroni Salad Recipes to Make All Summer

Ingredients Needed to Make Macaroni Salad

To make homemade macaroni salad, you'll need the following ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups mayonnaise

• 1 Tbsp whole-grain mustard

• 1 Tbsp honey or agave nectar

• Lemon zest

• 1 lemon, juiced

• 2 cloves garlic, pureed against a microplane grater

• 2 ribs celery, chopped

• 6 scallions, chopped

• 1 lb cooked elbow macaroni

• Salt and black pepper, to taste

Tools Needed to Make Macaroni Salad

• Lemon juicer

• Microplane or box grater with small holes

• Vegetable peeler

• Spatula

• Whisk

How to Make Macaroni Salad

Step 1: In a large bowl, add mayo, mustard and honey.

Step 2: Zest your lemon into the same bowl, then add lemon juice and grate your garlic in over a microplane grater or box grater. Season with salt and pepper and whisk well.

Step 3: Use a vegetable peeler to take the outside fibers off your celery, chop it, then add chopped celery and scallions to the same bowl. Use a spatula to fold all of the ingredients together.

Step 4: Cook your pound of elbow macaroni according to the box directions.

Step 5: Add 1 lb cooked elbow macaroni to the same bowl with dressing and mix well to incorporate.

Step 6: Set in the fridge for a few hours (2-3) to let the flavors combine and marinate while chilling the macaroni salad.

Here's an easy macaroni salad video to learn how to master the summer pasta salad:

Best Macaroni Salad Tips

• Using full-fat mayo makes macaroni salad extra creamy

• If you don't have whole-grain mustard, you can swap for Dijon mustard

• If you don't have a microplane to grate garlic, use a garlic press or a grater with small holes

• Use a vegetable peeler to peel the fibrous strands off your celery ribs before chopping

• Spice up your macaroni salad by adding curry powder or chili powder

• When cooking your pasta for macaroni salad, use 4 quarts of water plus 1 Tbsp salt per 1lb of pasta

• If you don't have elbow macaroni, you can use penne pasta for macaroni salad

• If you like your macaroni salad to be creamy with more mayo, feel free to add more

• Refrigerate macaroni salad for at least a few hours before serving

How Long Does Macaroni Salad Last?

If stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, macaroni salad can last up to three days and always tastes better on the second day, which makes it a great make-ahead side. Never leave it sitting out somewhere warm or at room temperature for more than two hours, however.

Can You Freeze Macaroni Salad?

Yes! As long as you use heavy-duty, sealed freezer bags, you can freeze macaroni salad for up to four months. If you don't defrost it and dig in before then...

More Macaroni Salad Ideas & Ingredients to Add

• Chopped bacon

• Chopped ham

• Tuna, crab or shrimp

• Veggies, like tomatoes, peas and onions

• Shredded rotisserie chicken

• Pulled pork

Related: Last-Minute Ideas for Labor Day Cookouts

Best Macaroni Salad Variations

• Country Macaroni Salad

• Shrimp and Crab Macaroni Salad

• Macaroni Salad with Pepperoni

• Hawaiian Macaroni Salad

• BLT Macaroni Salad

• Amish Macaroni Salad

• Avocado Macaroni Salad

• Macaroni Salad with Chicken

• Cowboy Macaroni Salad

• Cesar Macaroni Salad

• Tuna Macaroni Salad

• Summer Garden Macaroni Salad With Cucumbers

On Keep It Simple, Jon Ashton shows you how to level up your home cooking. You can find videos of these easy recipes on our YouTube channel!

Ingredients

• 1? cups mayonaise

• 1 Tbsp whole-grain mustard

• 1 Tbsp honey or agave nectar

• Lemon zest

• 1 lemon, juiced

• 2 cloves garlic, pureed against a microplane grater

• 2 ribs celery, chopped

• 6 scallions, chopped

• 1 lb cooked elbow macaroni

• Salt and black pepper, to taste

1. In a large bowl, add mayo, mustard and honey.

2. Zest your lemon into the same bowl, then add lemon juice and grate your garlic in over a microplane grater or box grater. Season with salt and pepper and whisk well.

3. Use a vegetable peeler to take the outside fibers off your celery, chop it, then add chopped celery and scallions to the same bowl. Use a spatula to fold all ingredients together.

4. Cook your pound of elbow macaroni according to the box directions.

5. Add 1 lb cooked elbow macaroni to the same bowl with dressing and mix well to incorporate.

6. Set in fridge to let flavors combine and marinate while chilling the macaroni salad.

Best Homemade Macaroni Salad Recipe