Honey Mustard Macaroni Salad Recipe

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This honey mustard macaroni salad recipe is the perfect picnic side, pot luck dish, or salad for your summer BBQ. Its a little savory, a little sweet, and loaded with cooked past & fresh vegetables for a bright crunch.

This honey mustard macaroni salad is both tangy and delicious, and the bright dressing gives an incredible flavor to the dish! It’s a great updated twist on a classic recipe – and can be made ahead of time for a party.

Want more tasty comfort food side dishes? Try our sour cream cucumber salad, orange sesame noodle salad, or our favorite authentic Spanakopita!

honey mustard pasta salad recipe with veggies and a homemade mayo dressing.

Table of Contents

This is the year of the macaroni salad for me – I’ve been experimenting with different versions and recipes this summer. I have my Sweet Deli Macaroni Salad Recipe which gives that perfect deli-style crunch. Classic Macaroni Salad with a Greek Yogurt dressing for a lightened up version without mayo. Coleslaw Macaroni Salad for a crunchy, savory bite. We’ve been enjoying serious comfort food eating going on over here.

Macaroni salad is so yummy served with anything coming off the grill. Its great paired with chickpea burgers, veggie dogs, fresh grilled corn, or any salad. This honey mustard salad is actually loaded with tons of vegetables in it, so it has a nice refreshing crunch in eat bite.

Why This Recipe Works

It’s sweet, savory, creamy, and tangy!
Loaded with Vegetables
Versatile – it goes great with just about anything.
It’s a great summer appetizer, side dish, or dish to bring to a potluck.
Put a sweet twist on classic mac salad with this honey mustard version!

Ingredients You’ll Need

Be sure to visit the recipe card below for full ingredient amounts and recipe instructions!

Macaroni Noodles: or any small gluten-free pasta shape of your choice.
Celery: for that extra crunch
Carrots: for sweetness
Sweet Onion for a nice savory crunch
Bell Pepper: use any color you’d like, any variety will work.
Classic Mayonnaise
Yellow Mustard: I used the classic prepared yellow mustard, no fancy dijon here.
Apple Cider Vinegar: for a nice acidity and a little kick. You can also use a white vinegar or any you prefer in a salad.
Raw Honey: raw honey for a bit of sweetness. Maple syrup would also be a delicious substitute for a vegan option!

Substitutions and Variations

Instead of mayonnaise in the dressing, you can substitute Greek yogurt or sour cream. Use a low or non-fat version for a lighter dressing.
Add other veggies if you prefer – peas, chopped broccoli florets, or snap peas.
Swap macaroni noodles for another small pasta of your choice. Ditalini, small shells, or orzo would all make great substitutes.

As beekeepers, we have tons of raw honey straight from our beehives. We keep a few jars of honey each year for ourselves, but mostly give away what we gave to our friends and family. Last year we were able to harvest 3 times during the summer and fall, and I sold a lot of my honey at work too. Its my favorite natural sweetener for sure!

We always had macaroni salad in the fridge growing up… or at least for a day or two, it never lasted very long! I prefer a homemade version to the deli variety because I can add whatever veggies I want in it, and also control the amount of sodium in the dressing.

How Do I Make This Deli Macaroni Salad with Honey Mustard Recipe?

Cook macaroni noodles according to package instructions. Drain, rinse in a colander under cool water.
In a large mixing bowl, add the cooled macaroni noodles, carrots, celery, bell pepper.
In a medium bowl, add all the dressing ingredients. Mix well to combine into a smooth dressing. Pour dressing over the macaroni salad, and mix well to combine all ingredients.
Cover the bowl, and chill for at least 30 minutes, or up to 1 day in advance. Give the mac salad a good stir before serving.

Make Ahead Instructions

This honey mustard macaroni salad is great to make ahead for a BBQ, party, or potluck. Make it the day before, cover and let it rest overnight, and it’s ready to go the following day! Like traditional pasta salad or coleslaw, this macaroni salad tastes better if made a day or two before. Just give it a stir before serving.

Dietary Modifications

This recipe is vegetarian, and contains no meat in the macaroni salad.
To make vegan, use a dairy-free or vegan mayonnaise which are super easy to find at the grocery store. And use a vegan sweetener instead of honey.
To make gluten free, make sure the pasta or any ingredients are certified gluten free (relish, mayo, etc.) before using.
This recipe is refined sugar free, since honey is used as the sweetener. Just make sure there is no added sugar in the relish.

Recipe FAQs

What’s in honey mustard macaroni salad?

This salad is made with cooked macaroni noodles, fresh chopped veggies: carrots, onion, celery, and has a creamy dressing made from mayonnaise, honey, vinegar, and mustard.

How long does honey mustard macaroni salad last?

Refrigerate and store leftovers in an airtight container (or cover the bowl with plastic wrap) and enjoy within 3 to 4 days.

Can you use a store-bought honey mustard dressing?

If you are short on time, you can use a store-bought dressing – however, the dressing below only takes about 5 minutes to make, and it’s easy! Making your own dressing gives the macaroni salad a great flavor.

More Macaroni Salad Recipes

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I love any salad and this one earns a A+++