The Ultimate Labor Day Recipe That’s a Guaranteed Favorite

Labor Day marks the end of summer and the arrival of fall. If you’re soaking up the final days of warm weather before autumn sets in, I’ve got the perfect recipe to share at your gathering.

“I made this for a local event, and it was a hit with everyone,” says reviewer Sally Wilsey about our top-rated Classic Macaroni Salad recipe. “The taste is fantastic, and the dressing is a standout!”

This recipe is a true crowd-pleaser. Just ask the Dinogo community: it’s been saved more than 15,000 times.

With over 2,500 reviews and 1,800 five-star ratings, this recipe is simple, featuring just five easy steps and a few pantry staples. It's the ideal dish to bring to any Labor Day celebration.

How to Prepare Macaroni Salad

There are three key steps to making the perfect macaroni salad:

1. Start with a creamy, mayo-based dressing, seasoned with sugar, vinegar, mustard, salt, and pepper.
2. Next, mix in your favorite veggies. This version includes celery, onions, bell peppers, and carrots.
3. Finally, add in the macaroni. It's that simple!

Let the salad chill in the fridge for at least two hours before serving, so the noodles can soak up all the delicious dressing.

Nicole's Expert Tips

Our culinary producer Nicole McLaughlin prepared this recipe and has shared some helpful tips of her own.

• “They say this is optional, but to me, I always saw little flecks of red pimentos in a macaroni salad. My little twist, since it is optional, is that I prefer a roasted red pepper.” Pimentos still work, so this one is purely preference for Nicole. “They have just a little bit of a better flavor to me and a deeper red color.” 
• This is definitely one of those salads that get better with age. After one or two days, this recipe will be ever more flavorful than when you first cooked it. If you can let your macaroni salad sit overnight before eating, that’s even better.

What the Community Is Saying

“Just like my Mom’s!” says recipe reviewer Jeanne. “For years, I couldn’t get it quite right (most recipes are too creamy). Be sure to let it sit in the fridge overnight—it may seem a bit too creamy when you first mix it, but it’s perfect after chilling.”

“I’ve made this a million times. It’s great just as the recipe suggests, but we use less sugar, less mustard, and always let it chill overnight!” says reviewer DMB4LIFE. “Also, the next day, resist the urge to add more mayo. Just stir it well, and it’s perfect. After sitting overnight, the salad soaks up all the flavors, and it’s never too wet or creamy. In my opinion, it’s a perfectly made macaroni salad!”

“I brought this to a family reunion, and everyone agreed it was the best macaroni salad they’d ever tasted,” says reviewer chellethegreatone. “I couldn’t agree more. I love this recipe! The only tweak I make is using 1/3 cup of sugar. Everything else stays the same! It tastes even better the next day!”