This creamy cheddar pasta salad with mayonnaise is easy to make, super flavorful, and a delicious side dish for summer cookouts, picnics, and dinner parties!
If you love pasta salad, then try this classic Hawaiian macaroni salad, caprese pasta salad, chicken tortellini pasta salad, and this zesty Italian pasta salad too!
This macaroni pasta salad is a must all year round! I grew up eating macaroni salad like this one and this Hawaiian macaroni salad because my grandma always made it, so I know a tasty one from a not-so-tasty one, and let me tell you, this creamy mac pasta is going to blow your mind!
It's creamy, cheesy, hearty, and goes great on the side of pretty much any food! It reminds me of my grandmas, and I hope you enjoy it just as much as I do!
I've spent hours testing this recipe and perfecting it, so I know it's the best one on the internet!
My favourite part about it is that all you need is some basic ingredients to make it.
If you've been making Cup of Flour recipes for a while now, you know we always make recipes with ingredients that are accessible to everyone!
Learn more on the About page about how Cup of Flour helps people make cooking easy, fun, and approachable!
Why you'll love this recipe
- EASY: This comes together quickly with simple ingredients.
- PERFECT FOR SUMMER: It's the perfect side dish for all your summer gatherings, whether outdoor barbeques, dinner parties, or picnics!
- SOME FOR EVERYONE: This is a big-batch pasta salad recipe that can feed a large group of people!
Recipe Ingredients
- MACARONI
- GREEN BELL PEPPER
- RED BELL PEPPER
- CELERY
- RED ONION
- CHEDDAR CHEESE
- MAYONNAISE
- SUGAR
- APPLE CIDER VINEGAR
- SALT
- PEPPER
- DRIED PARSLEY
See the recipe card below for the ingredient measurements.
Kitchen Equipment
- LARGE POT: For boiling the pasta.
- STRAINER/COLANDER: To drain the pasta.
- KNIFE: For cutting the cheese and chopping the veggies.
- MIXING BOWLS: You will need two bowls, one for the salad dressing and another for the pasta salad.
- MEASURING SPOONS AND CUPS: For measuring the ingredients.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Boil: Bring a large pot of water to boil on high and cook the pasta according to the instructions listed on the package. Drain and rinse the cooked pasta with cold water and transfer it to a large bowl.
- Combine: Add and mix the chopped green and red pepper, celery, red onion, and cheese to the bowl of pasta.
- Mix: Combine the salad dressing ingredients in a small bowl, then pour the dressing over the pasta salad. Mix the pasta salad to coat everything thoroughly, and then store it covered in the fridge for 1 hour before serving.
Storage and Leftovers
You can store any leftovers in the fridge for up to 5 days covered with plastic wrap or in an airtight container.
You can also make this salad the day before and store it in the fridge overnight until it’s ready to be served.
Expert Tips
- Make ahead. To give the flavors more time to mesh and intensify, make this pasta salad the day/night before you plan on serving it.
- Cook the pasta to al dente. Cook the pasta a couple of minutes less than the package requires to ensure the pasta isn't mushy.
- Add olive oil. After draining and rinsing the cooked pasta with cold water, you can add and mix in a little bit of olive oil (about half a tablespoon) to ensure the pasta doesn't stick while you make the dressing.
Alternative Ingredients
- Mozzarella Cheese: Mozzarella cheese is an excellent option if you aren't a fan of cheddar! You can add any cheese you like to this recipe or none at all, and it still tastes fabulous!
- Tomato: Add some diced tomato or sliced cherry tomatoes for a juicy bite and some acidity that will cut through some of the creaminess!
- Green Peas: A popular veggie for creamy mac salad is green peas!
Frequently Asked Questions
Rinsing the pasta with cold water after draining it will stop it from cooking, which will prevent it from absorbing the dressing and making the pasta salad dry.
Yes, it would help if you rinse the cooked pasta with cold water after draining it to stop it from cooking, becoming mushy, sticking to other noodles, and absorbing the dressing.
The pasta will be delicious the day you make it, but the longer it chills in the fridges the longer it has for the flavors to intensify which will make it even tastier!
Store covered or in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Serving Suggestions
This creamy pasta salad goes great with a saucy rack of ribs and creamy scalloped potatoes or next to some saucy pulled pork sandwiches.
It also tastes delicious with summer bbq like hamburgers, hot dogs, and other summer side dishes like potato salad.
Print📖 Recipe
Creamy Cheddar Pasta Salad with Mayonnaise
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 10-12
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This creamy cheddar pasta salad with mayonnaise is exactly what you need for summer bbq's, picnics, and weekend dinners!
Ingredients
Pasta Salad
- Macaroni (or pasta of choice): 1 pound (450 grams)
- Green Pepper, diced: 1
- Red Pepper, diced: 1
- Celery Sticks, diced: 2
- Red Onion, diced: ⅓ cup
- Cheddar Cheese, cut into small cubes: 1 cup
Salad Dressing
- Mayonnaise: 1 and ½ cups
- Granulated Sugar: 2 tablespoons
- Apple Cider Vinegar: 2 tablespoons
- Salt: 2 and ½ teaspoons
- Pepper: ½ teaspoon
- Dried Parsley or Oregano: 2 teaspoons
Instructions
- Boil: Bring a large pot of water to boil on high and cook the pasta according to the instructions listed on the package. Drain and rinse the cooked pasta with cold water and transfer it to a large bowl.
- Combine: Add and mix the chopped green and red pepper, celery, red onion, and cheese to the bowl of pasta.
- Mix: Combine the salad dressing ingredients in a small bowl, then pour the dressing over the pasta salad. Mix the pasta salad to coat everything thoroughly, and then store it covered in the fridge for 1 hour before serving.
Notes
If the noodles have absorbed a lot of the dressing, just mix in a couple of tablespoons of milk and it will become creamy.
Make this pasta salad in advance to intensify the flavors.
Cook the pasta a couple of minutes less than the package requires to ensure the pasta isn't mushy.
After draining and rinsing the cooked pasta with cold water, mix in a bit of olive oil (about half a tablespoon) to ensure the pasta doesn't stick while you make the dressing.
Rinse the pasta with cold water to stop the cooking process and ensure the pasta doesn't absorb the salad dressing.
Tyler says