Deli-style macaroni salad is tangy, flavorful, and always a hit at barbecues, potlucks, and parties. The best part is that this isn’t ordinary pasta! It’s made with gluten free macaroni noodles. We hope you love this gluten free macaroni salad as much as we do!
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You only need a few simple ingredients to make this yummy macaroni salad. This salad is egg-free, dairy-free, and sugar-free! The dijon mustard dressing is the real show-stopper! It is the perfect combination with fresh veggies and gluten free pasta noodles.
Before I share all the delicious details, I want to take a moment to give you some help when it comes to gluten free pasta. If you are new to eating gluten free or don’t make a lot of pasta, you might be wondering why it turns out mushy.
If you are getting ready for a picnic, you will want to make this delicious loaded baked potato salad to bring too! This recipe can easily be made vegan by using vegan mayo!
Oh my goodness I made this yesterday for todays Fellowship dinner in a 9x13 I doubled the sauce to he creamier and it was a big hit and I didn’t have any left to bring home! They didn’t know it was gluten free noodles I used the spirals and I put thawed frozen sweet peas in and I did the pickle relish! It was loved and some came back for seconds!"
Janese S., Facebook reader
Why this recipe is great:
This easy homemade gluten free deli-style macaroni salad is so easy to make, and my recipe tastes as it came from a restaurant. It tastes delicious and is popular with the whole family.
Naturally, you can make this easy macaroni salad to go with your dinner or lunch, but there are many other reasons to serve it! Reunions, barbecues, bridal showers, baby showers, and picnics are a few of my favorite reasons to make this classic pasta salad.
Ingredient notes:
- Gluten free macaroni - I highly recommend you use Tinkyada or Jovial brands.
- Red pepper - You can also use green or yellow pepper.
- Parsley - Flat leaf or curly leaf
- Mayonnaise - Use dairy-free/egg-free if you are vegan.
- Optional: Sweet Relish.
How to make gluten free macaroni salad:
Step 1: The first step is to boil your macaroni per package instructions. Don't forget my tip above about cooking it a minute less!
Step 2: When the pasta is done, drain into a colander and then do a cold water rinse to cool it off.
Step 3: Chop your vegetables and add them to a bowl.
Step 4: Add the mayo, vinegar, dijon, and seasoning to the bowl. Mix well and pour into a container. Put it into the refrigerator until you are ready to eat it.
If you love salads as much as we do, you will want to check out my delicious gluten free salad recipes!
Mix-ins:
If you want to add a few extra ingredients to the macaroni salad, feel free! Or eat it the way the recipe is written. Here are some fun ideas to try out:
- Green Onions
- Crumbled Bacon Pieces
- Parmesan Cheese (If you tolerate dairy)
- Chicken Breast - Add some chopped cooked chicken breast for some protein.
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
What brand of gluten free macaroni is best?
I really love using the Tinkyada brand of macaroni in this recipe. It is more hearty and doesn't get mushy.
Tips to avoid mushy pasta:
- Cook the macaroni a minute less than the package says so that the pasta is very al dente. This way, it gets some moisture from the dressing and doesn't get mushy.
- After cooking, drain the pasta in a colander. Rinse the pasta well in cold water to halt the cooking process to avoid mushy pasta
Look at my guide How To Cook Gluten Free Pasta To Avoid Mushy Pasta. You will thank yourself later!
Recipe FAQ:
There are many different types of gluten free pasta. Traditional pasta is loaded with wheat flour, which is gluten. So, when shopping for pasta, it’s best to read the labels.
You should be looking for pasta noodles that are certified gluten free and are made from multi-grains like corn, rice, or quinoa. Some noodles are made from buckwheat flour, chickpea, and shirataki.
Gluten free pasta can taste very similar to traditional pasta, depending on what it is made out of. The texture is a little different. In most cases, you can make a gluten free macaroni salad or other pasta dish and serve it, and no one will even realize the difference.
Store leftover macaroni salad in the refrigerator. Make sure to keep it in an airtight container; it will last 2-3 days in the fridge.
Don’t freeze the gluten free salad because the pasta and mayonnaise will not do very well. If you notice that the macaroni salad has become mushy, watery, or dried out, it’s probably old and should be thrown out.
You shouldn't freeze this pasta salad. It will not thaw out and is the same as freshly made macaroni salad.
Serve With:
This pasta salad is super versatile and goes with all kinds of foods. Here are some of my favorite recipes to pair it with:
- Easy Grilled Pork Chops With An Olallieberry Thyme Sauce
- Dijon Mustard Grilled Pork Tenderloin
- Proposition Chicken’s Gluten Free Fried Chicken Recipe
Reader Rave:
Super yummy! Added some dried parsley on top."
Jordan B., Pinterest user
Literally EVERYTHING I wanted it to be! No kidding when they say it’s the best! Soooooo delicious!!"
Kati C., Pinterest user
More delicious salad recipes to try:
📖 Recipe
Deli Style Macaroni Salad
Ingredients
- 12- ounce gluten free elbow macaroni
- ½ cup celery finely diced
- ½ cup red bell pepper diced
- ½ cup carrot grated
- ½ cup red onion finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon parsley chopped
Salad Dressing
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup white vinegar
- 2 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 teaspoon honey
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Optional: 3 tablespoons sweet relish
Instructions
- Follow the directions of the packet for cooking your gluten free elbow macaroni in salted water, then drain well and allow it to cool.
- Mix together the ingredients for the macaroni salad dressing while the pasta is cooking.
- Chop the vegetables as directed and add to a large bowl with the cooled cooked macaroni.
- Add the salad dressing and mix well to combine, chill salad before serving.
Video
Notes
SPECIAL NOTE
Please know that every gluten free flour blend has a different starch to grain ratio. If you use a blend I didn't test, you may need to adjust your moisture levels in your baked goods.
Nutrition
Nutrition Disclaimer
Nutritional information is an estimate provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the actual nutritional information with the products and brands you are using with your preferred nutritional calculator.
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Jenn
Perfect side for BBQ. Lots of flavour and the kids even ate it. I’ll be making it again.
Sandi Gaertner
I am so glad everyone liked it!
Allison
This tastes JUST like the macaroni salad from my favorite deli. Love it!
Sandi Gaertner
I am so glad you enjoyed it Allison. Thank you!
Katie
Looks so good! Can't wait to try this one with my friends.
Sandi Gaertner
Enjoy Katie, let me know if you have any questions :-).
Linda Tanzini
Sandi, I have the oposite problem when making gluten free salads. Instead of turning mushy my pasta turns rock hard when stored over night! I've tried many methods but it always happens, any suggestions from you or other viewers? Thanks, Linda
Sandi Gaertner
Hi Linda, that is interesting. What brand of gluten free pasta do you use? I am not sure which recipe(s) you have tried, I would be curious how wet the salad was, quantities of wet ingredients. Also, how do you store it in the refrigerator?
Linda Tanzini
Follow up about hard pasta. I have used several brands, tinkyada, barilla and others. I have made pasta salad with italian dressing with extra added, maccarone salad with mayo and eggs and others. Even my daughter who loves pasta salad said hers turns hard as well. I make mac and cheese, pasta with sauce, goulash with no problem, just the cold salads give me grief. I've tried making it extra wet, dressing it warm, hot cold, still same results. Maybe I should stick to hot foods, Thanks for your reply and any advice you might have, Linda
Mara Radford
Hello! You post says egg-free and the recipe includes mayonnaise- which traditionally has eggs. Do you use a homemade recipe for mayo to make it egg-free? I have been making/experimenting with egg-free mayo's and have not found one I love yet. Would love a suggestion! Thank you!
Sandi Gaertner
I use Veganese brand mayo. Any mayo will work but if you need egg-free, definitely use Veganese or another brand you like.