Classic American Macaroni Salad
Classic American Macaroni Salad is a beloved picnic and barbecue staple featuring elbow macaroni tossed in a creamy, tangy dressing. Its typical ingredients include mayonnaise, mustard, vinegar, diced celery, onion, and often hard-boiled eggs or pickles for added texture and flavor. This chilled pasta salad is a quintessential part of American casual dining, especially popular in the Midwest and on the East Coast.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
This dish is generally high in carbohydrates from the pasta and fat from the mayonnaise-based dressing, with moderate protein if eggs are included. A standard one-cup serving typically provides around 350-450 calories, along with some B vitamins and minerals from the vegetables and eggs.
Nutrition breakdown
| Calories | 350 kcal |
| Protein | 8 g |
| Carbs | 30 g |
| Fat | 22 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 6 g |
| Sodium | 680 mg |
| Potassium | 180 mg |
| Calcium | 60 mg |
| Iron | 1.2 mg |
| Vitamin A | 120 IU |
| Vitamin C | 3 mg |
| Vitamin D | 0.5 mcg |
| Vitamin B12 | 0.4 mcg |
| Phosphorus | 110 mg |
Per 1 cup (240 g) · estimated, varies by recipe
💡 What's interesting
Culturally, it's a fixture at potlucks and summer gatherings, symbolizing communal, comfort-food dining. Nutritionally, its unique combination of a creamy, high-fat dressing with starchy pasta makes it a very energy-dense side dish, designed for hearty appetites.
