Make this easy macaroni veggie salad for your next sport tailgate! Creamy, tangy, and packed with vegetables — a crowd favorite side dish.
A Tailgate Favorite Everyone Will Love
When it comes to tailgating, especially for a fun soccer game, you need something easy to make, travels well, and feeds a crowd. This Macaroni Veggie Salad checks every box!
It’s creamy, colorful, and full of flavor — the perfect side dish for big outdoor gatherings or family cookouts. We are in the midst of a busy soccer season. I made this recently for a soccer tailgate party, and it was a total hit! Everyone loved the crunch of the veggies with the creamy dressing and tender pasta. Even the kids went back for seconds!
Why You’ll Love This Salad
- Feeds a crowd: Makes about 18 servings — perfect for tailgates, BBQs, or potlucks.
- Make-ahead friendly: The flavors get even better after a few hours in the fridge.
- Fresh and colorful: Loaded with crisp veggies and chunks of cheese for texture and flavor.
- Creamy & tangy: The homemade dressing ties it all together beautifully.
Ingredients
Salad:
- 24 oz elbow macaroni noodles
- ½ cup red onion, diced
- ¾ cup red pepper, diced
- 1 cup broccoli, chopped
- ¾ cup frozen peas
- 1½ cups Colby Jack or Cheddar cheese, cubed
Dressing:
- 1½ cups mayo (I use light)
- ⅜ cup distilled vinegar (¼ cup + ⅛ cup)
- 5 tbsp white sugar
- 1½ tbsp Dijon mustard (or spicy mustard)
- 3 tbsp sweet pickle relish
- 1½ tsp salt
- ¾ tsp pepper
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse with cold water, then drain well.
- In a large bowl, combine red onion, red pepper, broccoli, peas, and cheese cubes.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the dressing ingredients until smooth and creamy.
- Add the noodles and dressing to the large bowl with vegetables and cheese. Stir until evenly coated.
- Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Tip: I like to keep about ⅓ to ½ cup of the dressing aside in a small container. Right before serving, mix it in to make the salad extra creamy and fresh!
Perfect for Game Day or Any Gathering
This creamy macaroni veggie salad is the ultimate crowd-pleaser for tailgates, potlucks, BBQs, or picnics. It pairs perfectly with grilled burgers, hot dogs, or sandwiches — and it’s easy to make the night before so you can enjoy the game without the stress.
Storing Leftovers
Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.
Before serving, give it a quick stir and add a spoonful of extra dressing if it needs a little refresh.
Make It Your Own
You can easily customize this recipe! Try swapping or adding:
- Diced celery or shredded carrots
- Cauliflower florets
- A sprinkle of paprika or black pepper for color
- Sharp cheddar for a bolder flavor
This Macaroni Veggie Salad is a must-have side dish for tailgates and summer parties.
It’s creamy, fresh, and always a hit — perfect for feeding a hungry crowd before cheering on your favorite team!
Macaroni Veggie Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 24 oz Elbow Macaroni Noodles
- 1/2 cup Red Onion diced
- 3/4 cup Red Pepper diced
- 1 cup Broccoli chopped
- 3/4 cup Frozen Peas
- 1&1/2 cup Colby Jack, or Cheddar Cheese cubed
Dressing
- 1&1/2 cup Mayo I use light
- 3/8 cup Distilled Vinegar 1/4 cup & 1/8 cup
- 5 tbsp. White Sugar
- 1.5 tbsp. Dijon Mustard can use spicy mustard
- 3 tbsp. Sweet Pickle Relish
- 1.5 tsp Salt
- 3/4 tsp Pepper
Instructions
- Cook the Elbow Macaroni Noodles according to package directions, drain and rinse with cold water. Drain well.
- Add the diced Red Onion, diced Red Pepper, chopped Broccoli, Frozen Peas, and cubed Colby Jack (or Cheddar) cheese to a large bowl.
Dressing
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the Mayo, Distilled Vinegar, White Sugar, Dijon Mustard, Sweet Pickle Relish, Salt and Pepper together until smooth and creamy.
- Add the noodles and the dressing to the large bowl with the prepared vegetables and cheese. Stir until coated evenly.
- Keep Refridgerated until ready to enjoy.
Notes
Notes:
I keep about 1/3 – 1/2 cup worth of dressing aside in a small container. I add this to the macaroni salad right before serving to make sure it’s extra creamy.
