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Gram’s Easy Macaroni Salad

May 22, 2017 62 Comments

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No summer picnic or BBQ is complete without traditional macaroni salad. And Gram’s Easy Macaroni Salad is always a crowd pleaser!

Gram's Easy Macaroni Salad

I’ve been counting the days for what seems like forever. It’s one week to the kickoff to Summer 2017 folks!! Are you guys as excited as I am?

I love all the seasons, but summer is at the very tippy top of my list. Always has been, always will be. So many fond memories of fun at the Jersey Shore growing up. Nothing beats a long sunny day at the beach soaking up the sun and floating in the ocean. It’s just magical. It’s like all your cares and worries drift away.

Gram's Easy Macaroni Salad

For me, another plus of the summer season is all the entertaining I’ll be doing. The beach is my happiest place, but my kitchen comes in a close second. And you know me, I’m a planner so I’ll be planning lots of menus all summer long.

Gram's Easy Macaroni SaladGram's Easy Macaroni Salad

My Gram’s Easy Macaroni Salad makes numerous appearances on the menu throughout the summer. Not only because it’s delicious, but because it’s incredibly easy and it feeds a crowd. It’s perfect for BBQ’s and picnics or just great to have in the fridge as a side for your sandwich at lunch. My Gram never wrote down any of the ingredients, but growing up, I watched her make it so many times, I can now make it with my eyes closed.

Gram's Easy Macaroni Salad

My favorite part of this macaroni salad is the addition of the hard boiled eggs. And lots of ’em. 8 large eggs total. Some celery and red onion for crunch, but if you prefer a milder onion, by all means use a Vidalia onion. And then everything is tossed in a tangy mixture of mayo, a bit of yellow mustard, white vinegar and salt and pepper. Don’t expect any leftovers guys. This one goes quick. Enjoy!

 

Gram's Easy Macaroni Salad
Print
Gram's Macaroni Salad
Prep Time
25 mins
Total Time
25 mins
 
Servings: 8 -10 servings
Author: MaryAnn Dwyer
Ingredients
  • 1 16- oz. box elbow pasta
  • 1 cup good mayonnaise
  • 2 tsp. yellow mustard
  • 1 Tbsp. distilled white vinegar
  • 1 tsp. kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
  • 8 large eggs hard-boiled and roughly chopped
  • 1 1/2 cups celery finely chopped
  • 3/4 cup red onion finely chopped
  • fresh parsley finely chopped for sprinkling on top if desired
Instructions
  1. In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook elbows according to package directions. Drain and let cool for 5-10 minutes.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together mayo, mustard, vinegar, salt and pepper until smooth. Set aside.
  3. In a large bowl, combine cooled pasta with eggs, celery and onion. Toss with the dressing. Sprinkle with parsley if desired. Cover and place in refrigerator to chill.

 

Gram's Easy Macaroni Salad

 

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Comments

  1. Karen @ Seasonal Cravings says

    May 22, 2017 at 7:15 am

    I am right there with you girl! Can’t wait for summer and I love all the seasonal fruits and veggies available. This looks like the perfect dish for my Memorial Day weekend party I am planning. Easy to make ahead and looks delicious. Cheers girl!

    Reply
    • Mary Ann says

      May 22, 2017 at 12:20 pm

      I knew you’d be Karen! This one is perfect for Memorial Day! Happy Monday.

      Reply
  2. Michelle | The Secret Ingredient Is says

    May 22, 2017 at 7:56 am

    I’ve been counting down the days til summer for weeks now too! I LOVE macaroni salad, it’s probably my favorite summer side dish, and I can’t get over how delicious this one looks – I can’t wait to make it for one of our summer parties soon! Gorgeous photos.

    Reply
    • Mary Ann says

      May 22, 2017 at 12:20 pm

      Thanks Michelle! This one is definitely a summer favorite. Hope you enjoy it if you try!

      Reply
  3. Alida | Simply Delicious says

    May 22, 2017 at 8:15 am

    Love the look of this salad Mary Ann! There’s nothing quite like spending time at the beach, it’s always the highlight of my year.

    Reply
    • Mary Ann says

      May 22, 2017 at 12:19 pm

      Mine too Alida! Hope you give this a try! It’s so delicious!

      Reply
  4. Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers says

    May 22, 2017 at 8:26 am

    I have a pasta salad of some sort in my fridge all summer long. It goes so perfectly with anything on the grill or for lunch. Can’t wait to try this one, as it looks absolutely delicious!!

    Reply
    • Mary Ann says

      May 22, 2017 at 12:19 pm

      You’ll love it Jennifer! Happy Monday.

      Reply
  5. Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says

    May 22, 2017 at 8:35 am

    YESSSS! I am suuuper excited for the start of summer! There is something about summer that makes it perfectly acceptable to lounge around, slow down and just enjoy life. And that is something I can totally support. :) Summer DEFINITELY requires pasta salads on repeat, and this one looks absolutely delicious, Mary Ann! I love hard boiled eggs in my pasta salad, so I LOVE that you used them here!! This salad is right up my alley! Pinning to try! Cheers, dear! <3

    Reply
    • Mary Ann says

      May 22, 2017 at 12:18 pm

      Woohoo Chey! I knew you’d be excited too! Hope you enjoy this one and thanks so much for pinning!

      Reply
  6. Dawn - Girl Heart Food says

    May 22, 2017 at 9:51 am

    I can’t believe we are talking about summer, Mary Ann! Just hearing you talk about it is making me all excited and happy for all the bbqs we will have. I love recipes like this, ones passed down from family. Funny how your grandma didn’t write it down, but you know it all the same and now you have it wrote down for all of us to enjoy! Pinned and trying this one at my next bbq. Love all the eggs in there! Makes it nice and substantial :) Cheers to a lovely week, my friend! xo

    Reply
    • Mary Ann says

      May 22, 2017 at 12:17 pm

      The eggs make this macaroni salad Dawn! I can still close my eyes and see my Gram in the kitchen making it!

      Reply
  7. Lindsay | With Salt and Pepper says

    May 22, 2017 at 10:00 am

    I can almost taste that salad, it’s so nostalgic!! Love that you shared this Mary Ann!! Yay for the start of summer :-)

    Reply
    • Mary Ann says

      May 22, 2017 at 12:17 pm

      It’s sooo good Lindsay! A summer fave!

      Reply
  8. Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen says

    May 22, 2017 at 10:15 am

    Summer is my favorite, too! The long, sunny days make shorter, grayer days worth it :). Macaroni salad is so perfect for this time of year, and I love that this was your grandma’s recipe. Grandma recipes are definitely the best. Have a great week, Mary Ann!

    Reply
    • Mary Ann says

      May 22, 2017 at 12:16 pm

      My Gram was an awesome cook Kelsie!! I enjoy this macaroni salad all year long, not just summer! Happy Monday.

      Reply
  9. Gerlinde | Sunnycovechef says

    May 22, 2017 at 10:59 am

    Thank you for this recipe Mary Ann, I will make this when my visitors from Germany return from their road trip.

    Reply
    • Mary Ann says

      May 22, 2017 at 12:15 pm

      It’s so easy Gerlinde and always a favorite with everyone. Happy Monday!

      Reply
  10. sue | theviewfromgreatisland says

    May 22, 2017 at 5:59 pm

    I could eat that whole entire bowl myself Mary Ann, I’m hopeless when it comes to macaroni salad ~ I shared this one on facebook today, it’s a winner!

    Reply
    • Mary Ann says

      May 22, 2017 at 6:05 pm

      Me too Sue! It’s one of my favorite recipes of my Gram’s! Thank you so much for sharing! Happy Monday!

      Reply
  11. Karly says

    May 22, 2017 at 6:28 pm

    Any recipe from Gram is a winning recipe in my book! This looks SO good. Sometime’s ya just can’t beat the classics! :)

    Reply
    • Mary Ann says

      May 22, 2017 at 6:46 pm

      I agree Karly! You can never beat the classics! Hope you have a great week!

      Reply
  12. Michele @ Bacon Fatte says

    May 23, 2017 at 10:03 am

    Summer is at the tippy top of my favorites list, too, and so are classic salads like this one – especially if they’re old family recipes! Nothing better! I’ll be sharing – and making – this one very soon. Happy Summer, Mary Ann!

    Reply
    • Mary Ann says

      May 23, 2017 at 1:17 pm

      Thanks so much for sharing Michele! This one has been a favorite for years! I hope you enjoy it as much as we do!

      Reply
  13. Geraldine | Green Valley Kitchen says

    May 23, 2017 at 11:31 am

    I just love macaroni salad, Mary Ann – it’s the perfect summer salad – brings backs so many great summer memories. And don’t you just love family recipes past down with love! Hope you are having a great week!

    Reply
    • Mary Ann says

      May 23, 2017 at 1:18 pm

      I hope you’re having a great week too Geraldine. I can still see my Gram when I close my eyes, in the kitchen at the counter whipping this one up!

      Reply
  14. annie@ciaochowbambina says

    May 23, 2017 at 12:06 pm

    Nope – no leftovers with this one!! I love mac salads! Especially on sunny summer days! :)

    Reply
    • Mary Ann says

      May 23, 2017 at 1:18 pm

      Notta spoonful left…ever!

      Reply
  15. Matt says

    May 23, 2017 at 5:35 pm

    Dishes like this get me so pumped up for summer!

    Reply
    • Mary Ann says

      May 23, 2017 at 6:01 pm

      Me too Matt! It’s almost here!

      Reply
  16. Katherine | Love In My Oven says

    May 23, 2017 at 6:13 pm

    What a wonderful macaroni salad!! I am SO excited for summer to be just beginning. Truly the best time of year. Summer gatherings are not complete without macaroni salad, and this one looks just fab!!

    Reply
    • Mary Ann says

      May 23, 2017 at 6:31 pm

      You’d love it Katherine! It’s delicious, feeds a crowd and you can make it ahead!

      Reply
  17. Kathy @ Beyond the Chicken Coop says

    May 23, 2017 at 10:18 pm

    I love summer too….and I’m really loving this pasta salad! It looks delicious and it just scream SUMMER! Happy Almost Summer!

    Reply
    • Mary Ann says

      May 23, 2017 at 10:21 pm

      Same to you Kathy! This one’s a winner!

      Reply
  18. Tieghan says

    May 24, 2017 at 12:56 am

    Same here! I cannot wait for summer…and all the macaroni pasta salads! Sounds so good!

    Reply
    • Mary Ann says

      May 24, 2017 at 7:59 am

      I’m doing the final countdown Tieghan!

      Reply
  19. Gina @ Running to the Kitchen says

    May 24, 2017 at 8:54 am

    I wish the weather would cooperate to make this weekend and the unofficial start to summer a little nicer! Would love to enjoy a bowl of this with a BBQ outside!

    Reply
    • Mary Ann says

      May 24, 2017 at 9:36 am

      Me too Gina. Not sure what it’s looking like here yet. I’m keeping my fingers crossed for an outside BBQ or two and some of Gram’s macaroni salad! Happy holiday weekend!

      Reply
  20. Chris Scheuer says

    May 24, 2017 at 8:55 am

    I’m quite certain I could eat my weight in this salad. It looks like a wonderful combination of macaroni and egg salad, YUM!

    Reply
    • Mary Ann says

      May 24, 2017 at 9:36 am

      Me too Chris! Lol!

      Reply
  21. Gaila says

    May 24, 2017 at 9:29 am

    Mary Ann, this reminds me of a salad, my mom use to make, every time we have a family gathering, so good! it just screams home to me! have great week!

    Reply
    • Mary Ann says

      May 24, 2017 at 9:36 am

      Glad it brings back memories Gaila! Hope you’re week is off to a great start too!

      Reply
  22. Jennifer Farley says

    May 24, 2017 at 10:20 am

    Grandma knows best!

    Reply
    • Mary Ann says

      May 24, 2017 at 2:30 pm

      Yes she does!

      Reply
  23. Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy says

    May 24, 2017 at 1:46 pm

    So classic and perfect!

    Reply
    • Mary Ann says

      May 24, 2017 at 2:30 pm

      Thanks Jennifer!

      Reply
  24. Marissa says

    May 24, 2017 at 1:56 pm

    Yes! Hooray for summer!!

    I have a confession: I usually skip macaroni salad. There’s just one reason, it so often has too much dressing and tastes goopy. But you (and your Gram) have won me over with this one. I’ve been thinking about it ever since I saw it on Instagram! I love the egg addition and that the dressing looks like it’s in perfect proportion.

    Reply
    • Mary Ann says

      May 24, 2017 at 2:31 pm

      I hope you give it a try Marissa! I just love this one and I think you will too!

      Reply
  25. amisha says

    May 24, 2017 at 3:05 pm

    This macaroni pasta salad sounds amazing! I know my kids would eat this too! very summery, and perfect picnic food like you said! I love your idea of spending summers by the beach! I wish I lived close by to the beach too !!

    Reply
    • Mary Ann says

      May 24, 2017 at 4:48 pm

      I love the beach Amisha! It’s so relaxing. This macaroni salad has been a favorite at our house for years! I hope you give it a try!

      Reply
  26. Traci | Vanilla And Bean says

    May 24, 2017 at 6:16 pm

    Oh my goodness! When I saw this Mary Ann I immediately thought of my MaMaw! Hers was just like this but she put dill in hers… JUST LIKE IT! I make it several times a year, especially during picnic season… it is SO good and definitely a crowd pleaser! I loooove all the crunchy goodness in it and the pop of the macaronis! Hooray for Summer coming soon too! I looove summer too… I’ve never been to the Jersey shore, but would love to visit some day!

    Reply
    • Mary Ann says

      May 24, 2017 at 6:20 pm

      Open invitation Traci! You’d love it here! We enjoy this all summer long for our BBQ’s and lunches. I love the eggs and all the crunchy stuff too! Thank goodness I watched Gram make it hundreds of times! Have a great holiday weekend!

      Reply
  27. Laura | Tutti Dolci says

    May 26, 2017 at 10:53 pm

    Bring on summer! I’m so excited and this salad is just perfect! :)

    Reply
    • Mary Ann says

      May 27, 2017 at 10:28 am

      It’s my FAVORITE summer salad Laura!

      Reply
  28. Cindy says

    May 31, 2017 at 4:32 pm

    Looks absolutely delicious. My mother makes a lovely macaroni salad too so you are right, it feels quintessentially summer with this lovely side. Love how you added the crunch – YUM. Adding this to the bbq list! Who knows, maybe one day I will try it on the Jersey side!

    Reply
    • Mary Ann says

      May 31, 2017 at 5:45 pm

      I don’t think summer would be summer without this macaroni salad! It’s a favorite at all our BBQ’s!

      Reply
  29. Kevin | Keviniscooking says

    June 9, 2017 at 1:10 pm

    You brought Summer to me! Love that this isn’t drenched in a mayo dressing, it looks perfect. Love the egg addition, too! Go Gram!

    Reply
    • Mary Ann says

      June 9, 2017 at 5:18 pm

      Gram perfected this recipe over the years. It’s my favorite Kevin! I hope you give it a try. Happy Friday!

      Reply
  30. Evan says

    July 22, 2020 at 1:53 am

    Can I make this salad the night before my bbq and refrigerate it..???

    Reply
    • Mary Ann says

      July 22, 2020 at 9:18 am

      Hi Evan. Yes, you can. I would save some of the dressing to toss the day of serving though. Enjoy. This one is my favorite!

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Lemony Orzo Pasta Salad with Shrimp | The Beach House Kitchen says:
    March 5, 2020 at 5:30 am

    […] few other favorite pasta salads here at the BHK are my Gram’s Easy Macaroni Salad, my Chicken Strawberry Avocado Salad with Creamy Poppyseed Dressing and my Chicken Pesto Pasta […]

    Reply
  2. Frito™ Pie | The Beach House Kitchen says:
    May 18, 2020 at 5:31 am

    […] few other summer party favorites here at the BHK are Gram’s Easy Macaroni Salad, my Baked Three Bean Casserole, and my Watermelon, Feta and Couscous Salad with Citrus […]

    Reply

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