What is Southern Macaroni Salad?

Unlike some versions of pasta salad that are made with vinaigrettes, this version is creamy with a mayonnaise-based dressing. Simple vegetables are often combined with cheese or a protein like ham or eggs.

How do I store macaroni salad?

Because this is a mayonnaise-based salad, it needs to be kept refrigerated in either a covered bowl or airtight container until ready to serve.

How long does creamy macaroni salad last?

After you have the first bite, it probably won’t last long. However, you can keep it for 3-5 days in the refrigerator in an airtight container.

Southern Macaroni Salad - Chiles and Smoke

Name: Southern Macaroni Salad
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Pasta Salad
Ingredients: ½ pound macaroni pasta; ¾ cup sharp cheddar, cubed; ½ cup diced celery; 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and diced; 2 scallions, diced; 1 red bell pepper, roasted; 3/4 cup mayo (Duke’s for tradition); 2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish; 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice; 2 teaspoons yellow mustard; 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar; 1 garlic clove, grated; ½ teaspoon paprika; Kosher salt; Fresh ground black pepper

Ingredients

Scale

½ pound macaroni pasta
¾ cup sharp cheddar, cubed
½ cup diced celery
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and diced
2 scallions, diced
1 red bell pepper, roasted
3/4 cup mayo (Duke’s for tradition)
2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
2 teaspoons yellow mustard
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
1 garlic clove, grated
½ teaspoon paprika
Kosher salt
Fresh ground black pepper

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Instructions

Roast the red pepper. Turn up your grill or gas burner and char the red pepper for a few minutes until the skin
Cook the macaroni in a large point of boiling, salted water according to the package instructions. Cook until al dente. Drain and rinse in a strainer with cold water to remove excess starch.
While the pasta is cooking, dice the celery, jalapeno, scallions, and roasted red pepper.
In a small bowl, mix the mayonnaise, lemon juice, mustard, apple cider vinegar, sweet relish, grated garlic, and paprika.
In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta with the dressing in the small bowl, along with the cubed cheese and diced vegetables. Toss everything together and season with salt and pepper to taste. Feel free to add more mayo if the pasta isn’t creamy enough. Garnish with additional paprika for color.
Refrigerate for at least an hour before serving, overnight if possible.

Notes

The pasta will soak up the dressing, so if you’re serving for the next day don’t be afraid to add a little extra mayo to keep it creamy.

Author: Brad Prose
Prep Time: 20
Cook Time: 10
Category: Side Dish
Method: Boiling
Cuisine: Pasta Salad

Keywords: Southern Food, Southern macaroni salad, pasta salad, pimento cheese, side dish