Creamy Southern Macaroni Salad with Cheese

A combination of both sour cream and mayonnaise create the creamiest Southern macaroni salad around. A hint of sweet and sour along with grated cheese makes this the star of any potluck or cook out. A fantastic make ahead summer salad that gets even better after a day in the fridge. No mushy bland salad here!

The Creamiest Cold Macaroni Salad

This macaroni salad with grated cheese is creamy and refreshing, and makes a perfect side dish for sharing at your next potluck or cookout. It’s the best macaroni salad I’ve ever had, and I’m not exaggerating.

This easy salad has both sour cream and mayonnaise for the ultimate creamy dressing, which is slightly sweet with the perfect amount of vinegary tang. Plenty of shredded cheese adds a perfect cheesy flavor that everyone loves. There’s also red onion and celery for just the right amount of crunch.

I don’t generally like mayonnaise based salads but this dressing, while it has mayo, also has sour cream which offsets the mayonnaise so it’s still creamy but not so tangy. Similar to the dressing for my creamy pea salad. The vinegar adds a little tanginess but the sugar compliments it for a fabulous combination of flavors.

This salad is not bland and boring like the macaroni salad you find in the grocery. It also has an amazing textural contrast with the creamy dressing, crisp veggies, and al dente macaroni. If you like pasta salad but don’t want the creamy dressing, then try an antipasto pasta salad or a basil pesto pasta salad.

A cold macaroni salad is so easy to put together and is a fantastic choice for making ahead of time. You can serve it right away, but it’s better if it chills for a few hours as the dressing soaks into the pasta as it cools and the flavors get to know each other.

You’ll want to reserve some of the dressing to add right before serving because the initial dressing is absorbed into the pasta. Adding more dressing before serving gives it a fresh taste but you might not need it all.

The whole salad comes together in the amount of time it takes to boil the water for the pasta, so you can make a flavorful Southern macaroni salad even when you’re short on time.

This macaroni salad with cheese can easily be served with a BBQ’d burger lunch, but it also seems compliments a full-blown seafood boil dinner!

Yes, it’s normally a side dish, but it can also make a fabulous lunch. Pair with with some leftover chicken or ham for a more filling meal. Of course if you’re taking this to a potluck, you might need a dessert to pair with it! We’ve been making these no bake s’mores Rice Krispie bars the last few months, and everyone seems to love them! Ooey gooey chocolate perfection!

Why is creamy macaroni salad so popular in the South? 

Macaroni salad is a creamy side dish that is popular in the South for a number of reasons! One reason is that it’s just plain tasty. It’s truly a comfort food like mac and cheese but you don’t have to turn on the oven. It’s also a cold, refreshing dish that is especially popular during the hot, humid summers we have here in the South. 

Why do I need to rinse my pasta before making pasta salad? 

Many pasta salad recipes call for rinsing the pasta in cold water before assembling the salad. The idea behind this technique is to prevent the freshly cooked pasta from sticking to itself in one big clump. In this recipe, you don’t need to rinse the pasta. Instead, as soon as you drain it, mix it with some of the dressing. The hot pasta will absorb the dressing and become super flavorful, and as a bonus, it won’t stick together. 

Why You’ll Love a Southern Macaroni Salad

• Quick and easy: This salad comes together super quickly and is a great choice for a last-minute side dish. 

• Simple ingredients: This easy macaroni salad doesn’t require any special ingredients – everything is easily found at your regular grocery store. 

• Super flavorful: This salad includes mayonnaise, vinegar, Dijon mustard, red onion, cayenne pepper, and cheddar cheese for tons of flavor and textures. 

• Make ahead of time: This dish can be made in advance and kept in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve it. It only gets better the longer it sits. 

Macaroni Salad with Cheese Recipe Ingredients

• Pasta: Use any short pasta you like for this cold macaroni salad. The classic choice is elbows, of course, but rotini, fusilli, penne, or shells would all work. 

• Mayonnaise: Creamy, rich, and tangy mayonnaise is the base of the dressing. This salad really benefits from the use of full-fat mayo and sour cream.

• Sour Cream: Sour cream provides a luscious texture and a yummy tanginess. You can substitute it with light sour cream or Greek yogurt. 

• Cheddar Cheese: Use a block of high-quality cheddar cheese and grate it at home for the best flavor and texture. By grating the cheese instead of cutting it into cubes, you get a subtle cheesy flavor throughout the salad.

• Dijon Mustard: Mustard adds a little bit of a kick as well as depth to the dressing. You can use any mustard you have on hand but I find Dijon to be less harsh them some mustards.

• Sugar: Balances the flavors and brings a touch of sweetness. 

• Apple Cider Vinegar: Provides a subtle tang and fruity note. Substitute with white vinegar if you prefer. 

• Red Onion and Celery: Crunchy, aromatic veggies that complement the dish beautifully.

• Spices: Onion Powder, Garlic Powder, and Cayenne.

Simple Steps to Make a Macaroni Salad 

Step 1: Boil the water.

Set a large pot of salted water on the stove and allow it to come to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package directions for al dente pasta. When it’s done, drain it right away.

Step 2: Prepare the salad dressing. 

Meanwhile, measure out the mayonnaise, sour cream, salt, vinegar, mustard, and sugar and whisk to combine thoroughly.

Step 3: Combine the salad. 

Dump the drained pasta into a large bowl. While the pasta is hot, add in the onion, celery, and spices and combine.

Next, add about half of the dressing and mix the salad thoroughly. Finally, add the cheese and season to taste with more salt and pepper. Chill the salad in the refrigerator until it’s cold. 

Before you serve the salad, toss it with the remaining dressing. Don’t pour it all in at once just enough to freshen it up.

Tips for Creating a Perfect Macaroni Salad 

• Don’t overcook the pasta – it should be cooked al dente to hold up to the dressing without getting mushy and falling apart. 

• Use salt to season the pasta water.

• Make sure you add everything to the pasta while it is still warm so that the pasta absorbs the flavors.

• Use a good-quality sharp cheddar cheese for a stronger flavor profile.

• Taste as you go and adjust seasonings according to your preferences.

How can I keep macaroni salad cold during a cookout? 

Macaroni salad is a favorite at picnics and cookouts, but nobody wants to eat a warm macaroni salad. To keep your salad chilled, find a Tupperware container or large metal bowl bigger than your serving bowl. Fill the big bowl with ice and nestle your serving dish into the ice. This will keep the salad cold as you serve it. Add more ice to the bowl as needed to keep the macaroni salad chilled. 

Cold Salad FAQs

What can I add to make this salad more colorful?

To add more color, consider tossing in some halved cherry tomatoes, diced bell peppers in different colors, shredded carrots, thawed or fresh peas. It’ll brighten up the dish and add fresh flavor. If you like a spicy salad, you can also use fresh diced jalapeno peppers. 

What’s the best way to transport this salad for a potluck or picnic?

To transport the salad, use a lidded, airtight container, and keep it chilled in a cooler with ice packs until you’re ready to serve. 

Can I add some protein to this salad?

Adding some protein to this macaroni salad is a great way to turn a perfect side dish into a main meal. Grilled chicken, diced ham, or even cooked and chopped shrimp would be excellent additions.

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