The best Classic American Macaroni Salad now with a perfectly gluten-free, vegan, and top 8 allergy-free recipe! Summer isn’t complete without this traditional BBQ and grilling cookout essential pasta side dish!
I brought you the Classic American Potato Salad last week and now I’m bringing you the best remade gluten-free, vegan, and allergy-friendly recipe for Classic American Macaroni Salad! A few years ago I shared my “Modern Macaroni Salad” with you all. That’s all fine, dandy, (and delicious), but my heart needs the classics! As a little girl, my favorites foods were pasta, pasta, more pasta, watermelon, PBJ, and seltzer. Everyone in my family equated Rebecca with Noodles.
MY LATEST VIDEOSComing from an Italian pasta-loving family, I had a strong addiction to all the noodles, mac and cheese, and pasta dishes you could make. With a diagnosis of Celiac Disease in my tweens, that pasta loving world came to a crashing halt. When summer rolled around, how would I enjoy my Italian pasta salad and that good ole’ classic macaroni salad!? Of course, during that time I had already kicked the dairy, then the egg and soy. The classic macaroni salad would have to take on a transformation…and STAT!
There were certain macaroni salads that I just adored and others…I could do without. I didn’t want anything overloaded with mayo, no mush noodles, and nothing too sweet. Obviously, no one likes a lot of mayo. Mushy noodles though…cold mushy noodles. Ick! I have this intense memory of eating this super cold mushy macaroni salad (the elbow noodles weren’t even noodles anymore) at some random summer BBQ many years ago. Left me with mushy macaroni nightmares for years. Then there’s the “macaroni sugar drencher”. I usually find this problem in pre-made macaroni salads from the grocery (I’m implicating you, Black Bear macaroni salad!)
I solved all those “possible” macaroni salad conundrums and all dietary restriction problems with this remade recipe; have no fear. First, that mayo problem? We kicked all that nasty egg stuff of course. We also kicked any soy-based vegan options. I’m all for low-cal veggie options, as seen here, but that’s not classic (hence the name). I’m also a fan of the “tahini mayo” seen here and here. But, the best allergy-free mayo I’ve found is from…drumroll…Trader Joe’s! They call it “Vegan Spread/Dressing inspired by Mayo”, but it’s mayo through and through. I don’t live near a Trader Joe’s, but sometimes my mom is able to send me a few choice essentials I love. When I heard about this mayo a few months, I begged her to snag me some.
I was so pleasantly pleased (not surprised; I knew it would be good!) Perfectly “mayoy” with just the right amount of tang and sweetness. Solved that sugar problem easily! Equipped with this killer mayo, I went full on recipe remake mode and made that Classic American Potato Salad and this Classic American Macaroni Salad. Don’t worry, if you don’t have a Trader Joe’s and can’t order from Amazon, you can use this mayo which is decent as well. The mushy noodle problem wasn’t a problem at all either with this delicious gluten-free pasta. Solved, solved, and solved!
Classic American Macaroni Salad
- 8 oz Gluten-Free Elbow Macaroni
- 1 Cup Chopped Red Bell Pepper
- 1 Cup Chopped Celery
- 1 Cup Diced Carrots
- ½ Cup Diced Red Onion
- 1 Cup Vegan Soy-Free Mayo*
- 1 TB White Vinegar
- 2 Tsp Dijon Mustard
- ½ Tsp Black Pepper
- Cook the macaroni for about 9-10 minutes. Drain and cool.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooled macaroni noodles, chopped veggies, and other ingredients.
- Stir and mix well to combine and fully coat everything.
- Serve chilled.
Load in the black pepper for me! That’s the other thing. I love black pepper in macaroni salad. It goes so well with the slightly sweet and tangy mayo. Glorious and 1, 2, 3, easy! This classic macaroni salad will be for everyone now! No summer pasta sadness or mushy macaroni salads on my watch!
So tell me:
+ How do you like your macaroni salad?
+ What’s your favorite eggless mayo?
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I love Macaroni Salad, this looks delicious!
Thank you!
reminds me of pasta salads from childhood! (and agree, a good dose of black pepper is great!)
Yes! Have to bring back the childhood classics!
This looks like the perfect potluck side dish to bring! 😀 I’ve never tried vegan soy-free mayo, but I never would’ve guessed that this had it from the photos! :O
That stuff is magic! Tastes like a normal mayo (from when I can remember! Haha!)
I like you used Dijon mustard instead of yellow mustard. Looks like a delicious macaroni salad!
All the recipes I saw used dijon! Haha!
Its actually very nice the way you have put this together ,plus the pepper part is interesting!
Sure, thank you!
I adore pasta salad, no matter how it’s put together. This looks and sounds amazing.
Right? It’s always a good choice 😉 Thanks!
I love black pepper too in a macaroni salad, it gives it a bit of a kick.
The right amount of easy spice!
This is awesome! Thanks so much for sharing. My nephews have many allergies, and I struggle finding new things to try making for dinner. This is one I will be adding to the list.
This is such a great side to whip up this summer!
I had no idea that America claims this as its own – so do several other countries I’ve lived in! Just goes to show that good taste is pretty universal, right?! LOL!
Haha, I don’t think the classic mayo filled macaroni salad is anything but American (usually has nasty eggs too!)
Perfect for summer picnic. Your pasta definitely attracts my kids 🙂
Thank you! Everyone will enjoy!
I love Macaroni Salad’s and this one is perfect!
Thanks, Neil! This one is a true winner!
This looks almost too pretty to eat. I love how many veggies you put in this dish.
Haha, well thank you!
What a great twist on a classic recipe. This is great for office parties when there are so many allergies to deal with!
Yup! Everyone can enjoy!
I love creamy recipes and even better the way you put it together.
Haha, sure!
It really excites me that something that looks as delicious as this can be allergy friendly.
It sounds absolutely delicious.
Yes! Thank you, Trinity!
Marconi Salad was one of my favorites growing up! This recipe is so colorful and bright I am practically running out of the door to get the ingredients to make it!
Yes! It was always a favorite! Thanks, Stella 🙂
I’ve actually never tried macaroni salad…it never was my thing. But I’d definitely try at least one bite of this – yum!
You are about to be in for a pleasant and yummy surprise!
Vegan macaroni salad? That totally caught my attention and this looks and sounds so good! I love a good pasta salad and I’ve been trying to try more vegan and vegetarian recipes, so this totally made the list!
This one is a must make then! The TJ’s mayo is the best vegan (and soy-free!) mayo around!
My oldest daughter ALWAYS asks for macaroni salad for her birthday. I make a HUGE batch so she can take leftovers home. These are great, especially during grilling season. Perfect way to feed a crowd.
Haha, that is great! What a birthday “gift” 😉
It sure does feed a hungry crowd!
This is definitely the macaroni salad for everyone! It looks and sounds delicious.
Yes! It is super yummy, thanks! 🙂
Yummy!
Your comment, spot on.
Yummy! I’m glad there’s ways to enjoy pasta salad while gluten free.
There is always a (delicious) way!
We do enjoy pasta salad here… and plan to make it today… I like to use LOTS of veggies in it.
Wooohoo! Nothing better than pasta and veggies!
This is such a pretty dish! I’ve never tried Macaroni Salad before, but this dish would be just perfect for the heatwave we’re currently experiencing here in the UK. We rarely get the chance to eat al-fresco so I grab every opportunity to hop outside when we do ☺️
Well you will love this American classic!! Grab a plate and enjoy the sun 😉