Quick and Delicious Macaroni Salad Recipe

This classic Macaroni Salad recipe is quick and straightforward to make. Made with chopped vegetables and pasta tossed with a creamy flavor-packed dressing, this macaroni salad is perfect for your next potluck or picnic.
RECIPE: preppykitchen.com/macaroni-sa...
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Macaroni Salad
Published: May 12, 2021 · Modified: May 12, 2021 by John Kanell
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This classic Macaroni Salad recipe is quick and straightforward to make. Made with chopped vegetables and pasta tossed with a creamy flavor-packed dressing, this macaroni salad is perfect for your next potluck or picnic.
A plate of macaroni salad in front of a bowl on a marble surface.
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A staple for hot summer days, this macaroni salad is made with only a handful of kitchen staples. It’s shockingly easy to make at home and much more flavorful than the store-bought tubs. The best part about this dish is that it tastes even better after it’s spent some time in the fridge, meaning you can make this ahead of time whenever you’re free. No fuss, no muss, no rush!
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[@juliamorton3438]

The miming of cutting the parsley got me laughing

[@saundraschaefer]

Same. 💖

[@tinacostner3069]

Me to. I bet he picks up parsley ASAP

[@PreppyKitchen]

LOL, thank you!!!

[@humanoidcat9633]

Soo petty😅

[@lauragriffin6512]

That was hilarious. I love his videos.

[@Mediterranean81]

I laughing when u cut imaginary parsley, 😂😂😂😂😂

[@Lin99990]

Poor Brian, he will forever be remembered for forgetting the parsley 😆

[@Aiko2-26-9]

Couples issues! So funny.

[@fandhtwoohs8129]

Brian did it to himself. Shaaaame, shaaaame.

[@HSdirectioner5]

@@Aiko2-26-9 wait what?

[@soloangel625]

Good video enjoy your day yummy

[@creatinepowder353]

Brian you scank !! what do you mean you forgot the parsley ?? LOL

[@uniquejummieanigilaje3035]

Oh my goodness, you got me at the fresh parsley imaginary chopping 😂🤣 I was like where’s the parsley 🌿 ❓❓

[@SisiYemmieTV]

The invincible parsley 😂😂

[@MaiMai-ov9pl]

Right?!😂 I was laughing away. Poor thing lol.

[@jmontgomery32]

Invisible

[@janabanana3396]

The tip about vinegar to tame down the onion is GOLDEN!!!!

[@sha-irapaiman1938]

Your video's are alwayss so funnnn😂the invisible parsley🤣

[@PreppyKitchen]

OMG, thank you!!! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Fuzzi974]

I rolled on the flour laughing when I saw John cutting the parsley. I'm still laughing 3 minutes later.

[@jillybean9569]

can i just say i am SOOO HAPPY and excited to see food recipes besides baking recipes on ur channel i absolutely love ur recipes and cant wait to try this one!

[@PreppyKitchen]

Thank you so much!!

[@williamsmith2771]

I also am happy to see these recipes.

[@cv6329]

hhii

[@christinavang9198]

@@PreppyKitchen jk😅j

[@tg360andbeyond]

Grey Poupon!! About 20 years ago my friend rented a limo for a day trip. When we climbed in the back there was a jar of Grey Poupon velcroed to the wall next to the window. As we're going down the highway people were ogling the limo, so my friend rolled down the window, grabbed the jar and totally mimed that commercial. I thought it was hilarious and the people in the other car did too. A great memory. 😁

[@amorson3035]

Funny! When I had my prom in -ahem- 1996 we rented a limo. We had so much fun rolling down the window asking cars beside us if they had any grey poupon.

[@lauragriffin6512]

This is my macaroni salad!!! I keep a bowl of some sort of salad in the fridge all summer long so that if any of my family wants a nutritious snack, instead of chips, etc. they just grab a small dish of salad...macaroni, potato, cucumber, or any other that will last well in the fridge for a couple of days. Been doing that for 4 decades.

[@Ena48145]

Sorry but calling this nutritious made me laugh.. pasta is the worst carb you can eat as is coating it with mayo. WITH THAT SAID, I made macaroni salad tonight and I'm adding extra ingredients mentioned in the video because I am craving a deli style one lol. I'm about to chow down on a big bowl of it! My mom always did the same as you for us kids!! Macaroni salad, potato salad, cucumber salad in the fridge pretty much all summer long. Her potato and macaroni salad is just mayo, salt, pepper, celery, onion and that will always be my favorite and best way for me (except when I feel spicy and want something different like tonight lol) and then her cucumber salad is thinly sliced cucumber and onion, mayo, vinegar, salt, pepper, I think a little bit of sugar? She also always made something called "dippy" (she and her Italian family would dip bread into it) which is just onion, fresh tomato, olive oil, salt, pepper. She hasn't made pasta salad in years but I always loved that too!.. olives, onion, chunks of salami and mozz, etc. Might have to make that tomorrow! You sound like a great mom and I'm glad you take care of your family the way you do and make sure they are provided for :)

[@lauragriffin6512]

@@Ena48145 Our salads are identical, including the cucumber. We must be related. Only difference with my potato and macaroni is that I add a LOT of celery, onion, red and orange sweet peppers, shredded carrots (must be shredded, not chopped), so that half the salad is nice crunchy vegetables....nutritious. 😊 !! Plus chopped hard boiled eggs in the potato.

[@deanr3417]

Cut bell beepers with the soft inside part facing up. Your knife won’t slip of the tougher slippery skin that way saving your tender fingertips!

[@hardyzfan86]

John’s got jokes! The chopping of the imaginary parsley, the Grey Poupon commercial reference 😂 recipe video and comedy skit all rolled into one

[@DavidHall-ge6nn]

Years ago, I had a friend with a gorgeous, classic 1956 Bentley. He always had a jar of Grey Poupon in the glove box because, invariably, somebody at a stoplight would say, "Pardon me, would you happen to have any Grey Poupon?" "Certainly," he'd reply with a blinding smile fairly radiating noblesse oblige. It never got old.

[@PreppyKitchen]

This made my day. What a great story!!

[@beritobere82]

Man… that parsley looked so fresh 😂😂

[@corogal2518]

So, the Grey Poupon commercials, yes I remember them. I just aged myself. :)

[@jddo3298]

it's OK @Coro Gal.... just say you saw them while watching reruns! lol. PS I remember them too. Have an Awesome day.

[@casolo8107]

Me three.

[@alwp8758]

“Smart mom’s know, how kids minds grow, SWEET PICKLES! I haven’t thought of those books in decades, thanks for the reminder, those were fun. Chopping parsley 🌿 never looked so entertaining - you are awesome. Thanks for another great video.

[@PreppyKitchen]

OMG that's the song!!!!!!!!

[@raygilliam8472]

I didn't remember the song, but we have the whole collection of books including several extras. 😊

[@thebrightestrainbowever3841]

It’s the imaginary chopping parsley for me 😂💜🌈 Love your humor John! Also this sounds and looks so good!👏🏻

[@royordway9157]

I got a kick out of too. Last week my husband went to the market for me to get stuff. I had carrots on the list and when I reached into the fridge to get them, no carrots. I wish my brain worked fast enough to do just what you did. Good job John

[@DrBrunoRecipes]

That looks absolutely delicious 😋 Greetings from Scotland 😊 Have a wonderful day everyone 🌻 Stay safe, stay blessed 🌻

[@ldgalaxy]

John's channel is one of my top three cooking channels. I love the variety of recipes he shares and his camera presence is very engaging. Like many others have mentioned, the parsley cutting bit was funny. Keep up the good work John and thank you for your well done presentations.

[@ishsadeepa9359]

What are the other 2 channels?

[@ninaf6068]

I'm definitely going to add this to the baby shower food menu. My neighbor always makes pasta salad but I always end up picking out the deli meat she adds and just eating the elbow pasta. On the other hand, John's version would be eaten up in one sitting. Thanks!

[@MF-qz7en]

Also try this kzbin.info/www/bejne/eJ2zdqudntGseMU

[@d.m.junior6194]

okay...the parsley thing was THE BEST passive aggressive, hilarious thing I've seen today! ROTFL!!! I love it!

[@marangelasp7462]

Greetings from Oklahoma. Don't take me wrong, but I love this guy. He is so natural, has a winning smile, and is a good chef. I am crazy about his personality. I never get tired of watching him when he is making delicious recipes. He reminds me a lot of my close dear cousin, all the mannerisms.

[@vanessacarreno2241]

Un aplauso for that second when you said "me encanta". It was the cutest thing besides the parsley miming. Cheers from Venezuela.

[@joannevargas9638]

Hi John! Love all your videos! Yes, I do remember the Grey Poupon commercials! I have a great tip for easy peel hard boiled eggs. Saw it somewhere... Steam the eggs on a vegetable steamer over boiling water for 15 minutes, cool down in ice water after steaming. Even if they are fresh, so easily peeled! Just pop the cooked on the round bottom to start the cracking and Voila!! Easy peasy!

[@Fatimazalme]

Absolutely stunning!👌🏻

[@bjarbj944]

I can tel you are a true foodie. Your opinions on onions and mayonnaise are spot on! It’s the little details that make dishes so delicious!

[@es5696]

I just made your mac salad w no eggs. It is delicious. Am eating some now. Thanks John!

[@eybimadrid8117]

Loving the parsley sass❤ You are the best!

[@julendia]

Of course we remember Grey poupon, I always carry some in my purse but doesn’t everyone 🤣

[@juliepoppe6294]

Made this! Delicious!subbed frozen thawed peas for the carrots.

[@beliabustamanterojas8335]

I’ve had such a difficult day, but seeing you with your good energy and cutting the imaginary parsley made me so happy. Thanks!!!

[@bluesakura2092]

Don’t worry, Be happy 🌸

[@nazihaaslam2635]

Tip to help peel eggs effortlessly: make a pin size hole with toothpick one end of the eggs before placing in the boiling water. The water separates the shell from the egg as it boils. The shell literally falls off!

[@Vera111]

oh interesting, when they're boiled I let them chill in cold water and then crack them open in the water, it works wonders every time and they peel super easy.

[@57msdeb]

Not fresh from the farm eggs. They are a mess to peel.

[@joanmcguire1112]

Put salt in the water . The egg shell are easy to peel

[@jeevithaglory8557]

My daughter's favorite dish Thank you John 😍

[@jackiet586]

Love you John! Virtual cooking with you always gives me the happy feeling! This was another one of your splendidly delicious dishes. Thank you!

[@mmakomanyatja5213]

John your recipe are Devine thank you

[@TheGenflute]

I totally remember that commercial! My sister and I always wanted to ask cars next to us. 😂

[@jessicadoire8831]

Your videos have inspired me to get back into cooking! I’ve tried many of your recipes and I’m always amazed at how great they are. Thank you

[@PreppyKitchen]

I'm so glad! Thank you!

[@foodkpop339]

I love your energy! your videos always makes me smile

[@sandyandresen2636]

Inspirational pasta salad, and so easy! In my mind I'm heading right out to buy all the ingredients cause I'm literally out of everything. Even the pasta! Never happens! I won't forget the parsley! Thank you. 🙋‍♀️

[@rebeccaritchie5920]

I love your videos so much but this one was extra special. I was laughing the whole time…chopping the invisible parsley, the Grey Poupon (but of course), the wiggly spoons, and my favorite, that “pop of green!” I think that hanging out with you and Brian would be so much fun!

[@natashakadam4617]

I made this and it was excellent. John's recipes are foolproof. I make a lot of his recipes and often.

[@renajagdeo8120]

Can t wait to try this recipe!

[@Vera111]

Such a quick and delicious salad recipe!! I made this the other day but more like a healthy version, forget about all that mayo dressing, just add a bit of olive oil (I used the oil from the canned tuna, it adds more flavor) vinegar, salt, pepper and on top of the ingredients you used I added tuna, sweet corn & chickpea 😏 super healthy and delicious summer meal. There's no right or wrong for this, you can play with the ingredients, like you can skip the pasta or instead of tuna add shredded chicken or turkey so it's up to your imagination and taste buds!! 🤤

[@betsyhietala9362]

What a gr8 summer time salad. Wonderful colors. The parsley really makes it pop!😉

[@ldnurse79]

hahaha, your parsley bit was hilarious!!! Love it! You were obviously in a playful mood today.

[@aaroncross2366]

This recipe is the closest I have ever had to my mother's. She was a simple country lady and had perfected a way of cooking things that eliminated the unnecessary and concentrated on the things that made a recipe sooo good. The only difference I think is that she didn't use peppers in her mac salad, and sometimes she would add small cubes of cheddar. Anyway, thanks for the recipe, It's very good.

[@GPT1982]

I made this macaroni salad for Mothers' day and it was a hit!!❤THANK YOU!

[@mcroebuck7673]

I love your sense of humor. Thank you so much.

[@ninucijoy7958]

Definitely try this one.Hit the like button for parsley

[@todaysfoodrecipe6899]

Wow such an easy and quick recipe😍macroni looking very delicious😋thanks for sharing this amazing recipe👍May God give you more success.

[@seycas118]

I love a macaroni salad, so this video was just the one I was waiting for. Thanks, Preppy John!!

[@eugenevisser5415]

Love your channel! This recipe is exactly what I was looking for! Thank you!❤️🙌🏿🙌🏿🙌🏿🙌🏿🙌🏿

[@scottthomas1894]

I liked the reference to Grey Poupon in Wayne’s World when they pulled up next to a Rolls.

[@florencemariangeles3847]

Its 3am here in the Philippines and this made me hungry. Yummm.

[@bibimbabam6636]

This is often found on the Filipino Christmas Eve dinner table, but with more dressing added.

[@miriam3700]

Bibim Babam and with raisins too. Lol

[@bibimbabam6636]

@@miriam3700 And without parsley. That's why Bryan did not get it. Parsley is for pancit. 😆😆

[@traceyszostek6264]

As always, you did it again!!! Thanks for sharing! Looks delicious!!!

[@HowToCuisine]

Totally in love with this macaroni salad! Yum! Thank you for sharing! 😍😍

[@idiot675]

Sometimes my macaroni salad is egg salad with some macaroni in it

[@muggle804]

I do remember the Grey Poupon commercials. I’m a child f the 80’s.

[@carolbenson6524]

I love your choice of vegetables in the salad! You always have a good recipe for what I'm looking for!

[@linjaysha]

LOL! The invisible parsley and the shout out to the old Grey Poupon commercial! I was hoping you were going to break out into song about the sweet pickles! 🎵🎶🎵

[@archergirl2000]

The parsley shade being thrown omg 😂

[@d.t.garcia8705]

You are so cute! 😂 Can't let a little missing parsley get you down! There are videos to be uploaded!

[@CoffeecupCV]

You are an amazing and humorous human. Thank you for being you and sharing

[@eleanorjpoindexter4299]

I love your channel. Great content! Keep up the great work and thank you for the recipes! Blessings to you.

[@Argggg-]

Can you believe this vid was posted about 29 minutes ago yet it has so many views 👏👏👏

[@candyarmstrong5400]

I have my own chickens n ducks and can say fresh eggs are a pain in the wazoo to peel when hard boiled it's much easier when the eggs are 1-2 weeks old

[@curly73ful]

The trick to peeling hard boiled eggs is to immediately run them under cold water & peel them as the cold water is running over them. The shell slides right off

[@lauragriffin6512]

That doesn't work for me. 😒

[@curly73ful]

@@lauragriffin6512 How long do you boil your eggs. I like to boil them for 15 minutes. Turn on the cold water, pour the eggs into the sink. Crack the eggs under the cold water & start peeling. Hope that helps 😊

[@icekilla126]

The reel trick is the older the egg the better. Doesn’t matter what you try a freshly laid egg never peels cleanly.

[@lauragriffin6512]

@@curly73ful I have one of those boiled egg indicators that you put in the pot with the eggs. It turns color according to the doneness of the eggs and they come out perfect every time. But I have tried every trick, gimmick, idea, suggestion known to man on how to peel the shells, leaving the egg intact and I still can't do it.

[@curly73ful]

@@lauragriffin6512 Don't give up. You'll find something that works. Good luck 😊

[@matilderodriguez1603]

Thank u John great recipe I like it a lot GOD BLESS You

[@marjoriemoser3961]

John you crack me up! Love your animated quality!♥️

[@amypeterson1280]

Ugggghhh this looks Soo good! 😩🙌 Definitely going to make this tonight.

[@HanneCroonen]

Ggtidrsffak

[@Canadianbatgirl62]

Hi John! Awesome recipe, can't wait to try it. Just a hint... whether your eggs are fresh or not, a teaspoon of baking soda in the water while they cook makes those shells slide right off. Give it a try!❤️👍🙂

[@bluesakura2092]

Thanks for the recipe !!! ❤️

[@billlee536]

I love you and all your recipes !!

[@bettydamnboop3030]

I’m a dash of this, a pinch of that and a smidge of of the good old stuff kinda cook 🧑‍🍳. Love the recipe 🌻🌻🌻

[@amberluttrelll8359]

This looks amazing. Father’s Day I made something I’ve never tried before. I made macaroni salad and put in the fake crab 🦀 and chopped it up. It was so good. Nice change from tuna salad

[@KENTUCKY-MAMA]

Thanx 4 the Idea. I use lumped crab drained from the can in quiches. Soo good

[@alicepineda8064]

Best way to make sure you don’t cut yourself is to flip the bell pepper over so you’re chopping the inside. It won’t slip on the inside like it does on the outside skin ! 😃

[@lauragriffin6512]

That's what I do too.

[@thetwins6449]

Simply amazing! 🙌🏼 I don’t cook, just watch you for a moment of relaxation. 😊

[@MarjanSI]

Love it, simple, fresh, delicious... not only for side dish, also for dinner, brunch 👍

[@BK-hs1dd]

I grew up with that commercial " pardon me sir"

[@jaynehall5592]

I have a very old fig tree in my garden, but I have no idea what to do with them, maybe when it’s fig time you could do a dessert, I live in the UK

[@mahnoor8914]

Same...it ain't old.....but has got so many figs..... It's fig season tho....am Asian

[@Vera111]

baby, make jam!! I make fig jam almost every year and most of it I send it to my family in Romania, it lasts forever too!! You need only 3 ingredients figs sugar and lemon juice and a lot of jars to store it 😋

[@nattyl2070]

I just love your cooking videos. I have learned alot!!

[@Sunshineindarkestofdays]

Perfect even without parsley! I liked the idea of taming the onions. Definitely going to do this going forward - thank you!! Me encanta :-)

[@DanielleRabbit]

Lol “imaginary” parsley ☺️

[@LL-squared]

I just planted a pot full of imaginary parsley! Cannot wait to harvest it 😆

[@ameeraallouzi9488]

Hii..I love all ur recipes, its the best, thank you 😊

[@firstnamelastname4183]

I LOVE macaroni salad!!! Thanks for the recipe 😊

[@kimsteele7714]

OMG, I am screaming, the chopping of the parsley., too too funny. 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@RUBG900]

Cannot wait to try this! Looks absolutely delicious!

[@Xiao-ouni.admirer]

AYYYYY this recipe is bombbb! I added corn and substituted the celery with red kidney beans! it adds so much more texture and flavor to the recipe, and I also added canned pineapples and chopped them up! tastes amazziinggg!! if you see this comment I suggest you add those things it'll add such amazing toches to the recipee!!

[@ksully6551]

I didn't think you were old enough to remember that commercial, thanks for the giggle 😊

[@meganross2378]

I love your videos! I wish I had your energy while cooking

[@attimesava1596]

I watch the baking videos because I just like watching you bake but I love these videos because I’ll give them a try.

[@lisabillard8049]

Made this today with parsley and we loved it. Funny video. Love that you are calm and joke even though you don’t have all the ingredients and it still looks perfect. This dressing taste amazing! Thank you for sharing.

[@annetaylor4280]

Third time I’ve made this. Fantastic every time thx

[@iraqiqueen]

Usually I mess up my macaroni dishes. I did almost exactly on what you said and it turned out DELICIOUS!!! I literally couldn’t believe that I did this dish!! Thank you so much for sharing 😍😍 one small thing I really don’t like mayonnaise next time maybe I’ll add 1/4 cup less and add more of the sour cream.

[@akatibucarta]

“Me encanta” love it

[@imeldasantana1652]

The macaroni salad looks delicious 😋. A mi tambien me encanta 👏👏💋.

[@alexsinclaire8894]

I love macaroni salad. Thank you.

[@packertai1]

I love his saying in the beginning “it tells ya!” 😂 Love it!

[@hollytaylor4212]

Omg! Sweet Pickles!.😂😂😂 I remember too. ❤

[@lauramcelhiney]

Hi Taylor

[@erics3039]

Made this for our 4th of July lunch. Turned out great! Thanks, John!

[@urbanhomesteadingchannel1813]

I love that you mentioned eating the Mac salad with a spoon. A few weeks ago I made Mac salad and gave my husband a fork. He looked at me like I came from a different planet. He said who eats Mac salad with a fork?? I said everyone I know. Hes like how do you scoop it up? I said I'm stab the Mac with the tines?🤷‍♀️ I've never eaten Mac salad with a spoon!! He thought I was nuts 😂