The best creamy no crunch macaroni salad recipe is simple and easy! This sweet homemade salad is made with Miracle Whip, mayo, and deviled egg flavors and like the classic is served cold. You will learn how to make the perfect side dish with elbow macaroni for any summer BBQ.
My friend, Joanne, has a sister who is the ultimate homemaker. Except that she works a full time job, but we'll ignore that. Joanne's sister, Mil, makes all sorts of wonderful foods to bring to all the barbecues and picnics she attends. Almost every time I see her, I say, "Mil, can I have the recipe for this?"
Can I also say that I HATE CRUNCHY BITS in my macaroni salad? Red onions, dill pickles, celery, red bell peppers, I hate them all. It's not that I object to them in theory, but I hate the smooth creaminess of my macaroni salad being interrupted by those little bursts of flavor. NO THANK YOU. So this recipe doesn't have any. You're welcome.
What you'll need to make the best creamy macaroni salad
See printable recipe card at the bottom of the page for all measurements and more information.
- Uncooked macaroni - You'll cook the macaroni in the first step of the recipe below. You could really use any shape of pasta, but elbow macaroni is the standard.
- Miracle Whip - This recipe uses both Miracle Whip and mayonnaise. Please don't skip one or the other. The mayo has a rich, fatty flavor, and the Miracle Whip has a lighter, tangy flavor. Together, they make a dressing that is bright and full of flavor. The combination is so delicious.
- Mayonnaise
- Horseradish mustard - I love horseradish mustard, but if you don't, substitute spicy brown or dijon mustard instead.
- Sugar - Or you can use half sugar and half Splenda. I don't recommend using all Splenda because the dressing doesn't quite taste right.
- Water
- Brown vinegar - I use apple cider vinegar.
- Celery salt - I personally don't like celery, but I like the flavor that celery salt gives the dressing.
- Onion powder - Macaroni salad tastes good with onion, but I hate having crunchy bits in my macaroni salad. The onion powder gives me the flavor of the onion but without the crunch.
- Garlic powder - Garlic gives the dressing a little bite which is nice with the spice of the mustard.
- Dried parsley - I feel like dried parsley has no flavor, but it brightens up the dressing and gives it a fresh taste.
- Salt to taste - You probably won't need much if you're using celery salt.
- Hard cooked eggs - These make the macaroni salad so rich and hearty. Feel free to add more than 3 if you really like eggs. (I do!)
How to make the best no crunch macaroni salad
- Prepare the macaroni in a large pot according to package instructions, except drain it a bit early so that the pasta is a little more firm than al dente. Drain and rinse in cold water until the pasta is cool, then put the cooked macaroni in a large bowl. Set aside.
- Combine Miracle Whip, mayonnaise, mustard, water, vinegar, and spices in a small bowl. When I make this recipe, I measure the Miracle Whip, mayonnaise, sugar, Splenda, and vinegar, but I eyeball everything else.
- Add the sugar.
- Whisk to combine.
- Pour the macaroni salad dressing over the pasta and toss to coat.
- Add the chopped egg and parsley and mix well.
- Cover and refrigerate at least an hour to overnight. Serve cold.
Tips for the best creamy macaroni salad
Make sure you don't overcook the pasta. Set a timer for 1-2 minutes less than the box says for al dente.
Make sure you rinse the pasta in cold water. Pasta is covered in starch after you boil it, and rinsing removes the starch. If you don't rinse the pasta, it might get sticky instead of saucy when you put the dressing on.
Make the macaroni salad ahead for the best flavor. You can even make it the day before, and it will taste great!
The pasta will absorb some of the dressing as it sits. It may seem like there's too much dressing, but trust me, some will soak in, and you'll be glad for the extra.
Any small shape of pasta will be good. Spirals, radiatore, wagon wheels, and even small shells will all work.
What to serve with this creamy summer pasta salad
This macaroni salad is perfect for all picnic food: grilled chicken, juicy burgers, and sticky ribs.
How to store leftover macaroni salad
Macaroni salad tastes best after it sits a while. In fact, it's even better the day after you make it. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
This recipe does not freeze well.
Try these other delicious salad recipes:
- Simple Instant Pot Potato Salad
- Cucumber Pasta Salad
- Our Favorite Broccoli Salad Recipe (with creamy dressing)
- The Best Keto Broccoli Salad with No Mayo
- BLT Salad with the Best Homemade Salad Dressing
- Mexican Black Bean, Corn, & Avocado Salsa
- Red, White, & Blue Fruit Salad
- Egg and Asparagus Salad with Mimosa Vinaigrette Dressing
- Asian Ramen Noodle Salad
- Cowboy Caviar
- The Best Classic Deviled Eggs
- Bacon Cheddar Deviled Eggs
- Cilantro Lime Rice with Black Beans, Corn, & Tomatoes
Recipe
The Best Creamy Macaroni Salad
Ingredients
- 2 cups macaroni uncooked
- 1 cup Miracle Whip
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons horseradish mustard or spicy brown
- 1 cup sugar or ½ cup sugar and ½ cup Splenda
- ¼ cup water
- ¼ cup brown vinegar
- 2 teaspoons celery salt
- 1 tablespoons onion powder
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- dried parsley I use a handful.
- salt to taste
- 3 hard cooked eggs diced
Instructions
- Prepare pasta according to package directions, cooking to almost al dente but still firm. Drain and rinse with cold water until pasta is cool. Set aside.
- Whisk all other ingredients (except egg) together in a mixing bowl. I measure the Miracle Whip, mayo, sugar, and vinegar, and I eyeball everything else. Mix well.
- Pour the sauce over the pasta, add the diced egg, and toss to coat.
- Cover and refrigerate at least one hour to overnight.
JoeyfromSC says
Thanks SO much for taking the time to post this!!:) sounds so good!! By brown vinegar, you mean apple cider vinegar right? lol
I wonder if cucumbers would be good in this..I love them!
Thanks again and I can't wait to try it!
JoeyfromSC says
Thanks SO much for taking the time to post this!!:) sounds so good!! By brown vinegar, you mean apple cider vinegar right? lol
I wonder if cucumbers would be good in this..I love them!
Thanks again and I can't wait to try it!
Intentionally Katie says
Really? It's the BEST? Well, I love me some macaroni salad, so I may have to give this one a try...
Intentionally Katie's last blog post..Chocolate Chip Cake Mix Cookies
Intentionally Katie says
Really? It's the BEST? Well, I love me some macaroni salad, so I may have to give this one a try...
Intentionally Katie's last blog post..Chocolate Chip Cake Mix Cookies
Vanderbilt Wife says
MMM. That does sounds good. Does macaroni salad usually have something crunchy, like celery, in it?
Vanderbilt Wife's last blog post..Family Recipe Friday: Layered Salad
Tara says
Joey - Yes, you are right. 🙂 Brown vinegar is the same as apple cider vinegar. I think you could add any veggies to this salad, and it would be delicious. Diced cucumbers, diced carrots, even celery and onion (see my note to Vanderbilt Wife below) would probably be yummy.
Vanderbilt Wife - Where I live, macaroni salad almost always has crunchy celery and onions in it. I hate the crunch! I like my macaroni salad to be just macaroni and the dressing, which is why I use celery salt and onion powder instead of the chopped veggies.
Vanderbilt Wife says
MMM. That does sounds good. Does macaroni salad usually have something crunchy, like celery, in it?
Vanderbilt Wife's last blog post..Family Recipe Friday: Layered Salad
Tara says
Joey - Yes, you are right. 🙂 Brown vinegar is the same as apple cider vinegar. I think you could add any veggies to this salad, and it would be delicious. Diced cucumbers, diced carrots, even celery and onion (see my note to Vanderbilt Wife below) would probably be yummy.
Vanderbilt Wife - Where I live, macaroni salad almost always has crunchy celery and onions in it. I hate the crunch! I like my macaroni salad to be just macaroni and the dressing, which is why I use celery salt and onion powder instead of the chopped veggies.
Linda@Lime in the coconut says
Sounds yummy....Love the addition of the horseradish!
Linda@Lime in the coconut says
Sounds yummy....Love the addition of the horseradish!
DesignTies says
Pasta is my favourite food in any way, shape, and form!! I'm always up for trying a new pasta recipe, and this sounds like a good one 🙂
Kelly @ DesignTies
DesignTies says
Pasta is my favourite food in any way, shape, and form!! I'm always up for trying a new pasta recipe, and this sounds like a good one 🙂
Kelly @ DesignTies
Jane says
I'm going to give this recipe a try. I've been looking for a good macaroni salad recipe forever!
Jane's last blog post..CAPE COD CURTAINS
Amy @ Finer Things says
Love it when I find THE recipe for something. Thanks for sharing this one!
Amy @ Finer Things's last blog post..Finer Things Friday: Freedom
Amy @ Finer Things says
Love it when I find THE recipe for something. Thanks for sharing this one!
Amy @ Finer Things's last blog post..Finer Things Friday: Freedom
Julia @ Hooked on Houses says
YUM! This sounds delish. Thanks for the recipe!
Julia @ Hooked on Houses's last blog post..Hooked on Red, White, & Blue
Julia @ Hooked on Houses says
YUM! This sounds delish. Thanks for the recipe!
Julia @ Hooked on Houses's last blog post..Hooked on Red, White, & Blue
Jane says
I'm going to give this recipe a try. I've been looking for a good macaroni salad recipe forever!
Jane's last blog post..CAPE COD CURTAINS
Liz@HoosierHomemade says
Thanks Tara! I needed a good macaroni salad recipe! This looks awesome!
~Liz
Liz@HoosierHomemade's last blog post..Fruit for the Fourth
sarah says
Well thins looks simple enough. I may just have to try it.
sarah's last blog post..Finer Things Friday- Being Canadian
sarah says
Well thins looks simple enough. I may just have to try it.
sarah's last blog post..Finer Things Friday- Being Canadian
Liz@HoosierHomemade says
Thanks Tara! I needed a good macaroni salad recipe! This looks awesome!
~Liz
Liz@HoosierHomemade's last blog post..Fruit for the Fourth
Krys says
Where is the recipe for the Popeye Chicken Salad you mentioned?
Tara Ziegmont says
I don't think I've ever shared it on my blog. I'll see if I can find it in my recipe box and get it published.
Elizabeth says
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!! I thought I was the only one in the world who hated crunchy bits of things in my macaroni salad, and by the way I also hate them in my potato salad as well!!! you gotta a recipe for that? LOL!!! (not kidding) I will be making this soon!!! I'm happy to know I seem to have a soul sista!!!! again, thank you!
Michelle says
I’m definitely trying this and yes! I HATE crunchy in my macaroni salad. Carrots and celery, blah. This looks perfect!!
LC says
I thought that brown vinegar was malt vinegar. Now after reading the comments I realize it was supposed to be apple cider vinegar. The malt vinegar is very strong. I’ll try it again someday with apple cider vinegar.
AM says
I came across this recipe today, in 2024! I like the creamy, no crunch texture but it was way too sweet for my liking - 1 cup of sugar seemed like a bit much.