No cookout is complete without a bowl of macaroni salad.

It’s refreshing, flavorful, and the perfect side dish to round out anymeat ‘n’ three.

Learn how to make macaroni salad, and watch it disappear at your next potluck or tailgate.

Southern Living Macaroni Salad in a bowl to serve topped with scallions

Credit:Morgan Hunt Glaze; Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey; Prop Stylist: Priscilla Montiel

Be sure to stir the pasta salad before serving to help loosen up the dish again.

Can You Make Macaroni Salad Ahead of Time?

Ingredients

1(16-oz.)

Southern Living Macaroni Salad ingredients

Credit:Morgan Hunt Glaze; Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey; Prop Stylist: Priscilla Montiel

pkg.uncooked elbow macaroni

1medium-size(8 oz.

)red onion, finely chopped (about 1 cup)

3small(1 1/2 oz.

Drain and rinse with cold water until cool to the touch, about 2 minutes.

Southern Living Macaroni Salad draining and rinsing the pasta

Credit:Morgan Hunt Glaze; Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey; Prop Stylist: Priscilla Montiel

Cover mixture and remaining dressing, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 12 hours.

Garnish with scallions or celery leaves.

Southern Living Macaroni Salad stirring the vegetables into the pasta

Credit:Morgan Hunt Glaze; Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey; Prop Stylist: Priscilla Montiel

Southern Living Macaroni Salad whisking together the dressing

Credit:Morgan Hunt Glaze; Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey; Prop Stylist: Priscilla Montiel

Southern Living Macaroni Salad adding the dressing to the salad

Credit:Morgan Hunt Glaze; Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey; Prop Stylist: Priscilla Montiel

Southern Living Macaroni Salad ready to serve garnished with scallions

Credit:Morgan Hunt Glaze; Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey; Prop Stylist: Priscilla Montiel