Old Fashioned Southern Macaroni Salad with Peas and Cheese
Whether you’re planning a backyard barbecue, Sunday dinner, family reunion, or holiday gathering, this Old Fashioned Southern Macaroni Salad with Peas and Cheese is always a crowd favorite. It’s easy to make, full of flavor, and tastes even better after chilling in the refrigerator.
This Macaroni Salad with peas and cheese is loaded with tender pasta, crisp vegetables, sweet peas, and cheese cubes, all dressed with a tangy homemade dressing that keeps everyone coming back for more.
This creamy macaroni salad is just as delicious as my Potato Salad with Bacon, my Easy Pea Salad Recipe, Baked Beans with Ground Beef, and my Broccoli Salad with Bacon. It also goes well with BBQ Ribs in the Oven and Chicken Legs on the Grill for the ultimate summer cookout.
When the weather warms up, activities move outside, and I am always looking for a simple recipe to fit the occasion. Potato salad, Spinach Salad with Cranberries, and Mexican Corn Salad usually appear on the menu when grilled food is served.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
There’s a reason old-fashioned Southern macaroni salad has been showing up at cookouts and family reunions for generations; it’s creamy, comforting, and always one of the first dishes to disappear.
- It’s easy to customize with your favorite vegetables and cheeses.
- A classic Southern side dish that’s perfect for summer gatherings.
- Easy to make with simple ingredients and perfect for BBQs and family reunions.
- It’s creamy and flavorful and can be prepared ahead of time.
What Makes This Southern Macaroni Salad Different?
Southern macaroni salad is known for its creamy mayonnaise dressing, a touch of sweetness, and plenty of flavor. Unlike some traditional pasta salads, this old fashioned macaroni salad includes sweet peas, cheese cubes, crunchy vegetables, and a tangy dressing. It’s the perfect make-ahead side dish for summer cookouts, Memorial Day, Independence Day, and holiday gatherings.
Creamy Macaroni Salad Ingredients
Simple ingredients are needed for this delicious macaroni salad—nothing fancy, just straightforward items from the refrigerator and pantry.
Macaroni Salad:
Elbow Macaroni: This is a classic pasta shape for old fashioned macaroni salad. You could use spiral or another small pasta for this recipe.
Celery: Adds crunch and freshness.
Bell Pepper: Adds color, crunch, and sweetness. I use a green bell pepper most of the time, but a yellow or orange will work as well.
Onions: Add flavor and crunch. I use a sweet onion for this salad. Purple onion will also add nice texture and color.
Frozen Peas: Green peas bring sweetness and make the salad colorful. Add them frozen or slightly thawed. You do not need to cook them.
Cheese Cubes: You could use Cheddar, Colby, or Pepper Jack.
Jalapeno: Optional; adds a little kick.
Creamy Dressing:
Mayonnaise: Creates the rich, creamy base.
Dijon Mustard: Adds tangy flavor.
Sweet Pickle Relish: Adds sweetness and gives this macaroni salad its classic Southern flavor.
Sugar: Just a touch adds sweetness to the salad.
Vinegar: Balances the dressing and adds a bright flavor.
Salt and Pepper: Just simple seasonings are needed.
Recipe Variations
- Add chopped hard boiled eggs.
- Stir in cooked chopped bacon pieces or diced ham.
- Use a variety of cheeses for extra flavor.
- Swap the sweet pickle relish for dill pickle relish.
- Add some chopped pimentos for more Southern flair.
- Make it spicy. Leave the seeds in the jalapeno or add a pinch of cayenne pepper for extra heat.
How to Make This Recipe
Step 1: Cook the Pasta. Prepare the pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. Shake well to remove excess water and allow the pasta to cool for about 15 to 20 minutes.
Step 2: Combine the Salad Ingredients. Add the cooled macaroni, celery, onion, bell pepper, peas, cheese cubes, and jalapeño to a large mixing bowl.
Step 3: Prepare the Dressing. In a small bowl or Mason jar, whisk together the mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, sweet pickle relish, sugar, salt, black pepper, and white vinegar until smooth and creamy.
Step 4: Mix and Chill. Pour the dressing over the macaroni and stir to coat evenly. Keep the salad covered and refrigerated until ready to serve. If serving the next day, stir in another spoonful of mayo or ranch dressing into the salad. This will ensure more creaminess. The noodles absorb all of the dressing while chilling in the refrigerator. Enjoy!
Easy Greek Pasta Salad is loaded with fresh vegetables and topped with a tasty dressing. Simple and incredible.
Recipe Tips
- Cook the pasta just until al dente, so it doesn’t become mushy.
- Rinse the macaroni with cold water to stop the cooking process.
- Drain the pasta thoroughly so the dressing stays creamy and not watery.
- Make this salad several hours ahead of serving for the best flavor.
- Expert Tip: If you’re making this macaroni salad a day ahead, reserve ¼ cup of the dressing or an extra spoonful of mayonnaise. Stir it into the salad just before serving to restore its creamy texture. The noodles absorb a lot of the creamy dressing while chilling in the refrigerator.
- Cut the vegetables into small, uniform pieces for the best texture.
How to Store Leftovers
Store leftover macaroni salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Stir before serving and add a little extra mayonnaise if needed to refresh the creamy texture.
Recipe FAQs
Southern macaroni salad has a creamy mayonnaise dressing and includes peas, cheese, and crunchy vegetables.
Yes. Rinsing the macaroni under cold water stops the cooking process and helps prevent the pasta from becoming sticky.
Absolutely. Frozen peas work perfectly in macaroni salad. Thaw slightly to remove extra ice crystals before mixing them into the salad.
The pasta absorbs some of the dressing as it chills. Stir in a little mayonnaise or a ranch dressing before serving to restore the creamy texture.
No. Macaroni salad does not freeze well because the mayonnaise dressing separates after thawing.
Traditional elbow macaroni is the classic choice, but small shells or rotini can also be used.
Yes! In fact, macaroni salad often tastes even better the next day because the flavors have time to blend. Just stir in a spoonful of mayonnaise or a splash of ranch dressing before serving if the pasta has absorbed some of the dressing.
What to Serve with Southern Macaroni Salad
If you tried this Old Fashioned Macaroni Salad with Peas and Cheese or any other recipe on my blog, please consider leaving a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. Thanks for visiting!
Old Fashioned Southern Macaroni Salad with Peas and Cheese
Ingredients
- ½ cup celery diced
- ½ cup bell pepper diced- red, green, or yellow
- 1 small onion diced
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 1 cup cheese cubes Cheddar, Pepper Jack or Colby
- 1 jalapeno (optional) finely chopped with seeds removed
- 1 pound (16 oz.) elbow macaroni dried
Dressing
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon Dijon Mustard
- 3 tablespoons sweet pickle relish
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ cup white vinegar
Instructions
- Cook the noodles according to package instructions, then drain in a colander and rinse with cool water. Shake well to remove all water and allow the noodles to cool for about 15-20 minutes. Then add to a large bowl.
- Add the diced celery, onion, bell pepper, peas, jalapeno, and cheese to the pasta. Stir well.
Dressing:
- Whisk together the dressing ingredients in a small bowl or Mason Jar (with a tight fitting lid) until smooth and creamy.
- Pour the dressing over the macaroni and stir to coat evenly. Keep the salad covered and refrigerated until ready to serve.
Notes
- Cook the pasta just until al dente, so it doesn’t become mushy.
- Rinse the macaroni with cold water to stop the cooking process.
- Drain the pasta thoroughly so the dressing stays creamy and not watery.
- Make this salad several hours ahead of serving for the best flavor.
- Expert Tip: If you’re making this macaroni salad a day ahead, reserve ¼ cup of the dressing or an extra spoonful of mayonnaise. Stir it into the salad just before serving to restore its creamy texture. The noodles absorb a lot of the creamy dressing while chilling in the refrigerator.
- Cut the vegetables into small, uniform pieces for the best texture.
This is delicious! It was so quick and easy to make and absolutely everyone loved it. That never happens!
This is such a classic and delicious recipe! We brought this to a picnic today and it was a hit – everyone loved it and we had no leftovers!
This is so awesome and indeed classic. I remember eating this when I was a kind and really enjoying it. I loved this so much now as well!
Enjoyed this with dinner last night and it was a savory success! Quick, easy and delicious; the perfect summertime staple, indeed!
This is so easy to make! Love the recipe!
Can we please have the nutritional list for this recipe? I’m a new diabetic and need to watch calories, as well as sugars and salt. Thank you for your valuable time! 😁😊
I’ll work on that for you! Thanks for the comment!
I love macaroni salad as a side dish, especially in the summer months. It’s a barbecue staple!
The jalapenos in this gave it such a nice little kick! I added a little extra because I love them so much and WOW this mac salad is popping!
I’ve eaten lots of macaroni salad over the years but never one with cheese chunks in it! What a great addition! I’ll never make it without cheese again!
Definitely the perfect addition to potlucks and barbecues! This macaroni salad looks so good and so easy too.
This is so nostalgic! It was perfect and the jalapenos are a MUST!
i was looking for a classic mac salad and this one totally hit the spot!
This macaroni salad looks fantastic! Such an easy and flavor-packed side dish. Definitely perfect for celebrations.