Classic Macaroni Salad – An Old Fashioned Macaroni Salad Recipe

Classic Macaroni Salad is the perfect side dish for a summer cookout, family reunion or even a tailgate. Along with the traditional ingredients, the dressing for this version of macaroni salad includes sweetened condensed milk. This old fashioned macaroni salad is definitely a recipe your friends and family will be asking for after they taste it.

Classic Macaroni Salad

Nothing screams summer like this Classic Macaroni Salad recipe. It is a must-have for any family reunion, cookout or even just as the perfect side with your favorite grilled protein, like steak, burgers, pork chops and hot dogs.

Our family does not normally tailgate before the games featuring our favorite college and pro football teams; however, we do enjoy gathering to watch the game. And when you get together to watch football, it’s required that you have a spread of good “tailgating” food!

Sweet Macaroni Salad Recipe

This sweet Macaroni Salad with sweetened condensed milk is one that is easy to put together the night before and only gets better and better after a few hours in the refrigerator.

During football season, our dad and Barbara’s husband are busy with corn and soybean harvest so recipes like this Classic Macaroni Salad are also great to be able to either leave in the fridge for a quick lunch (if they take a break) or load up in our awesome Colts tote and serve as a side with a hearty sandwich for supper.

The ingredients for this macaroni salad include the traditional mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, but this recipe adds in a can of sweetened condensed milk. It is so good that you have to resist the urge to eat it with a spoon.

Ingredient List for Creamy Macaroni Salad

Elbow Macaroni

Sweetened Condensed Milk

Mayonnaise

White Vinegar

Sugar

Salt

Black Pepper

Bell Pepper, diced

Onion, minced or diced

Carrots, grated

How To Make Macaroni Salad with Sweetened Condensed Milk:

Instructions:

1. Cook macaroni according to package instructions; drain well.
2. Make the dressing by combining mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, sweetened condensed milk, and salt and pepper. Pour over macaroni and stir.
3. Add in carrots, pepper and onion; mix gently. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

For the for ingredient amounts and recipe steps for for Sweet Macaroni Salad with Sweetened Condensed Milk, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post. 

Old Fashioned Macaroni Salad

Macaroni salad is one of those old fashioned recipes that takes you back to your childhood.

As I’m eating it, I’m reminded of picnics in the back of the truck when my Dad was out in the field during the fall.  Old Fashioned Macaroni Salad served along side fried chicken or a simple lunch meat sandwich.  You really can’t go wrong.

There’s also something about this sweet macaroni salad dressing using sweetened condensed milk that just seems nostalgic.  I love dishes like that.

Notes About Old Fashioned Macaroni Salad

• Use sweetened condensed milk for this recipe, not to be confused with evaporated milk.
• Red, yellow or orange peppers could be substituted for green peppers, if desired.
• Be sure to refrigerate this old fashioned macaroni salad for a minimum of 4 hour to let the flavors marinate together before serving.
• If the pasta salad seems dry, add a bit more mayonnaise to loosen it up.
• Want a pasta salad that can serve as a main dish? Try our Tuna Pasta Salad.

Our Favorite Cookout Recipes

Need other ideas for your next summer cookout or tailgate?

Old-Fashioned Pea Salad

Pink Lady Salad

Black Bean Caviar Salsa

Crock Pot Calico Beans

Old-Fashioned Fruit Salad

Southern Vegetable Salad

Sweet Potato Salad with Canned Yams

Print Recipe

Classic Macaroni Salad

This Classic Macaroni Salad is the perfect side dish for a summer cookout, family reunion or even a tailgate. Along with the traditional ingredients, the dressing for this version of macaroni salad includes sweetened condensed milk. This is definitely a recipe your friends and family will be asking for after they taste it.

Prep Time20 mins

Cook Time0 mins

Refrigerate4 hrs

Total Time4 hrs 20 mins

Course: Salad

Cuisine: American

Keyword: classic macaroni salad, creamy macaroni salad, macaroni salad, macaroni salad with sweetened condensed milk, sweet macaroni salad

Servings: 12

Author: Barbara

Ingredients

• 16 oz. macaroni pasta
• 3 large carrots grated
• 1 onion diced small
• 1 green pepper diced small
• 2 cups mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup vinegar
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk
• Salt and Pepper to taste

Instructions

• Cook macaroni according to package directions to al dente. Drain.
  
• Mix together mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, sweetened condensed milk and salt and pepper; add to macaroni and stir well.
  
• Add in carrots, onion and green pepper. Mix until completely incorporated.
  
• Refrigerate for a minimum 4 hours before eating.
  

Notes

• Use sweetened condensed milk for this recipe, not to be confused with evaporated milk.
• Red, yellow or orange peppers could be substituted for green peppers, if desired.
• Be sure to refrigerate this old fashioned macaroni salad for a minimum of 4 hour to let the flavors marinate together before serving.
• If the pasta salad seems dry, add a bit more mayonnaise to loosen it up. 
• Want a pasta salad that can serve as a main dish? Try our Tuna Pasta Salad.

For some more pitch-in recipes, try our Old Fashioned Pea Salad, Cherry Fluff and Ranch Cauliflower Salad.