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This Vegan Macaroni Salad will be a hit at your next summertime gathering. Made with a rainbow of crisp veggies and al dente elbow noodles that are finished with a creamy and zesty dressing. It's easy to make and impossible to resist!
It's not summertime without a big bowl of Vegan Macaroni Salad on the table. I make it all season long for barbecues, picnics, potlucks, and beach days. It's always the first to disappear right next to the vegan potato salad.
It's comforting, yet refreshing and cooling with its crisp veggies, al dente macaroni, and tangy-sweet dressing. It pairs beautifully with almost anything, but I especially love it alongside a vegan tuna sandwich—the ultimate combo!
Ingredients and Common Replacements
Let's take a closer look at the key ingredients in this macaroni salad and some common replacements:
- Macaroni: Elbow macaroni is classic, but penne or rotini add a fun twist.
- Veggies and Herbs: I used red bell pepper, celery, dill, and red onion. Try peas, carrots, green onions, parsley, chives, or cucumbers for variety.
- Dill Pickles: Optional, but adds great zing. Dill relish works too.
- Vegan Mayo: The creamy dressing base. Mix with unsweetened vegan Greek yogurt for a lighter option.
- Pickle Juice: Optional for extra flavor. If skipping, you may want to increase the lemon juice or vinegar. Taste first.
- Lemon Juice + Apple Cider Vinegar: Red wine vinegar is a good substitute for the apple cider vinegar.
- Dijon Mustard: Swap with yellow mustard for a milder taste.
- Agave Nectar: Maple syrup or any sweetener works. Whisk well if using granulated sugar.
- Garlic and Onion: I used dried granules. Reduce if using powder, or try 1-2 grated fresh garlic cloves in the dressing.
How to make Vegan Macaroni Salad
It couldn't be easier, and it's so easy to adjust to taste. Here's how to do it:
- Cook pasta per package instructions, then rinse with cold water. Whisk dressing ingredients in a small bowl until smooth.
- In a large bowl, combine macaroni, chopped veggies, pickles, and dill.
- Toss with dressing, chill for 1-2 hours, then taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
FAQs
Absolutely! In fact, making it a day ahead allows the flavors to meld for an even tastier salad.
Just use gluten-free pasta, and ensure your other ingredients are also gluten-free if you're very sensitive.
Dressing Variation
For a mayo-free dressing, swap the mayo with 1 ¼ cups raw cashews, 1 ¼ cups unsweetened non-dairy milk, and ⅓ cup unsweetened vegan Greek yogurt (or a thick variety). Keep other recipe ingredients the same.
Soak cashews for 3-4 hours if not using a high-powered blender (discard soaking water). Blend all dressing ingredients on high until creamy and smooth. Follow the remaining recipe instructions as written.
More summer favorites
Did you make this recipe? Let me know what you think by leaving a star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating and sharing your feedback in the comment section below. It would make my day!
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Recipe
Vegan Macaroni Salad
Ingredients
Dressing
- 1 ½ cup vegan mayo
- ¼ cup pickle juice
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice , fresh squeezed
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar or red wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons dijon mustard
- 2 teaspoons agave syrup or agave nectar
- 1 teaspoon granulated garlic
- 1 teaspoon granulated onion
- 1 teaspoon sea salt + more for pasta water
Macaroni Salad
- 16 ounces elbow macaroni
- Olive oil for drizzling on macaroni
- 1 cup red bell pepper , diced (1 small pepper)
- 1 cup celery , diced (about 2-3 stalks)
- ½ cup red onion , diced, and soaked in cold water for 10 minutes.
- ½ cup diced dill pickles
- ⅓ cup chopped fresh dill (more for garnish)
- Paprika and fresh cracked pepper , for garnish
Recommended Equipment
- Large Pot
- Colander
- Large bowl
Instructions
- Place pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water. Cook until al dente and according to package directions. Rinse under cold water to stop cooking, then drain well and drizzle with oil. Set aside.
- In a small bowl, whisk all dressing ingredients until combined. The dressing will look thin but it will coat the noodles perfectly and thicken up in the fridge.
- In a large bowl, add the macaroni, chopped veggies, pickles, and chopped dill. Add the dressing and toss well to combine. Chill for 1-2 hours, tossing again midway through. Taste for seasoning and add more if needed. Top with more fresh dill, paprika, and fresh cracked pepper and serve.
Judy
Hi, I absoIutely loved it, but I doubled the veggies. It was great!
Melissa Huggins
Hi Judy, I'm so happy you loved it! The extra veggies sound wonderful! Thank you for trying the recipe. 🙂
judy
I loved the recipe, but I added double the amount of vegetables. It was perfect. It feeds a lot of people.
Melissa Huggins
Hi Judy, I'm so glad it was a hit! Sounds perfect with the extra veggies. Thank you for trying it and sharing feedback. 🙂
Lynn Kenny
I made this 2 weekends ago. It was so fantastic! Everyone loved it that they wanted to take some home with them! Delicious, colorful and easy to make!
Melissa Huggins
I'm so happy it was a hit. Thanks for trying it and sharing your wonderful feedback. 🙂
Kelly
This was so delicious. I used macadamia nuts instead of cashews. That was the only change II made. Going to use the dressing for potato salad. Thanks for the recipe!
Support @ Vegan Huggs
Hi Kelly! We are so happy to hear that you loved the recipe and that it worked out well with the macadamia nuts 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
Linda
Super yummy and so much better than using mayo. The taste and texture is perfect! The dill really makes this meal pop.
Olivia
Can you freeze these and if so, please could I have instructions :))
Melissa Huggins
Hi Olivia, I haven't tried freezing this, so I'm not sure of the results. Sorry, I wish I could be more help. Thank you for stopping by 🙂
Nina
Loved this recipe! I made it for a summer cookout dinner along side vegan hot dogs and fruit.
Melissa Huggins
I'm so glad you liked it. Sounds perfect with the hot dogs and fruit. Thank you for giving it a try 🙂
Shannon
What would you suggest for a cashew allergy? Thanks!
Sara
Made it today and it’s about to be served. Beautiful salad!
Melissa Huggins
Hi Sara! Thank you so much! 🙂
Cassie
love that this is dairy free 😍
Sam
This macaroni s as lad recipe was spot on in taste and texture. Thanks for the "WAY" healthier mac salad recipe!
Sarah Smith
This looks amazing!! I cant wait to make it!!
Melissa Huggins
Thank you, Sarah! 🙂