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Home » Recipes

Creamy Vegan Mac Salad

Published: Mar 13, 2022 by Bree - 5 Comments - This post may contain affiliate links - This blog generates income via ads

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This article may contain affiliate links. please check out my policy!

Creamy, refreshing vegan mac salad complimented by crisp, fresh bell peppers make this the perfect side to compliment any meal.

Or if you're like me, this is the meal!

finished macaroni salad in a bowl with wooden spoon and pasta in background.

This macaroni salad is a hit at gatherings, parties, celebrations, get-togethers, BBQ's, holiday's, you name it. Everyone will ask you for this recipe, and your kids will absolutely love it!

Also, this pasta salad is a fantastic way to hide veggies just in case you've got picky little ones!

My absolute favorite way to eat this salad is by topping it my amazing vegan bacon or fake bacon bits!

Jump to:
  • 🥘Ingredients
  • 🧾Ingredient Notes
  • 🔪Instructions
  • 📖Variations
  • ⏲️Storage
  • Why you'll love this salad:
  • ❓Frequently Asked Questions
  • 📖 Recipe

This recipe has it's own Webstory! Check it out here!

🥘Ingredients

all ingredients in macaroni salad with text labels.

🧾Ingredient Notes

You can use any pasta you want, including gluten-free. Keep in mind that some gluten-free pasta's dry out quicker and your salad may not be so great the next day. The best way to work with gluten-free pasta is to keep the sauce and pasta separate so you can re hydrate the noodles as needed.

To re-hydrate gluten free pasta, simply add some water to the bowl and microwave until the water is hot, stir the pasta around for a few minutes, then drain. Rinse to cool, drain, and mix with the sauce!

Sugar, and relish are optional ingredients, skip them if you wish.

Use vinegar in place of relish, and also exchange yellow mustard for Dijon, if you're feelin' extra spicy.

If using frozen peas, you do not need to thaw or do anything with them. Just add them in frozen and they will naturally thaw.

🔪Instructions

  • step one adding all sauce ingredients to the bowl.
  • step two mixing the dressing for macaroni salad.

In a medium sized bowl, add in all sauce ingredients: mayo, sugar, relish, mustard, lemon juice, & salt and pepper to taste. Mix everything well and set the sauce aside.

Cook's Top Tip

If you want to make this ahead of time, make the sauce and then cover it and place it in the refrigerator and store the pasta separate.

  • step three folding salad together with sauce.
  • step four in making the salad adding peas and bell peppers.

Once your pasta is cooked, rinse it under very cold water. You could also do an ice bath if you have access to ice. Mix the pasta and the sauce until your noodles are covered in dressing. Then, add in your veggies of choice and mix well again!

📖Variations

While I have used bell peppers and peas for the vegetables in this macaroni salad, you can change it up entirely and add just about anything you wish!

If you want to keep the crunchy factor:

Onions - This popular option is how most macaroni salads are made, however, bell peppers are a great option to add that familiar crunch if you can not stomach onions.

Broccoli - Y'all... back in the day I used to get a similar pasta salad at Walmart's deli. Does anyone know what I'm talking about? Anyway, it was my favorite and it had broccoli in it! not the one with raisins, the with cheese and mayo.

Shredded carrots - Another great crunchy addition with the added nutritional benefits of carrots.

Cabbage slaw mixture - If you want to make this meal even easier and skip chopping anything, this would also make this recipe extremely kid-friendly, and just get a bag of pre-mixed coleslaw. I do this often when my body doesn't want to cooperate.

Looking to make this with no mayo? Feel free to use yogurt, make a cashew based cream sauce or a tofu based cream sauce!

bite shot view of mac salad on wooden spoon topped with fake bacon bits.

⏲️Storage

  • Store in the refrigerator in an air-tight container.
  • Eat within 5 days.
  • Do Not Freeze.
  • If making ahead, store pasta and dressing separate.

Why you'll love this salad:

  • Can be made gluten-free.
  • Kid-friendly and approved.
  • Ridiculously quick & easy to make.
  • You can make it your own by adding any veggies you want.
  • It can be made ahead of time.

❓Frequently Asked Questions

How long does vegan macaroni salad last?

Around 4-5 days. Most food starts to lose flavor after day 3, and it is not recommended that you freeze this salad.

How do I get the sauce to stick in my macaroni salad?

Your pasta needs to be nearly dry before you place them into the sauce, if the noodles are still wet, water will mix with the sauce and make it too runny. Also make sure you're not over cooking your noodles.

📖 Recipe

a detailed close up of finished macaroni salad.
Print Recipe
5 from 8 votes
Leave a Comment!

Creamy Vegan Mac Salad

Creamy, refreshing vegan mac salad complimented by crisp, fresh bell peppers make this the perfect side to compliment any meal.
PREP TIME30 mins
COOK TIME8 mins
TOTAL TIME38 mins
Side Dish
Mixed
Vegan
allergen: dairy free, egg free
6
Cal: 341
Author: Bree
Cost: About $1.66

Equipment

  • medium bowl
  • medium sauce pan
  • Spatula or Spoon
  • Knife

Ingredients

  • 2 cups macaroni noodles
  • 1 cup vegan mayo
  • 2 tablespoons mustard
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 2 tablespoons dill relish
  • ½ cup frozen peas
  • ½ cup diced bell peppers - any colors
  • pinch of salt and pepper - to taste

Instructions

  • Start by cooking your pasta according to package directions.
    2 cups macaroni noodles
  • While the pasta is cooking, grab a medium-size bowl and start making the sauce.
  • To the bowl add: mayo, mustard, dill relish, sugar, salt & pepper, and lemon juice and mix well and until sugar is dissolved, then set aside. If serving next day, store dressing and pasta separately and mix the day of.
    1 cup vegan mayo,2 tablespoons mustard,1 tablespoon sugar,pinch of salt and pepper
  • Next, cut up or prepare any veggies you are adding. In this case, dice up some bell pepper.
  • Once the pasta is cooked, remove from the heat immediately and drain. Then run super cold water over them until they are completely cooled. Drain well.
    2 cups macaroni noodles
  • Once the noodles are good and drained, add them to the dressing and mix until the noodles are coated in sauce.
  • Throw in any veggies at this time and mix well once more.
  • Serve and enjoy!

Notes

  • For Gluten-free - use gluten-free pasta. Keep in mind that some gluten-free pasta's dry out quickly and aren't as great the next day.
  • Want spicy? - Add a tablespoon of jarred or fresh jalapenos. I typically use the jarred just because of the extra juice and vinegar.
  • To make things easier - use a bagged coleslaw mix in place of bell peppers. You get more options as well as the crunch factor!
  • Do Not Freeze
  • Refrigerate - up to 5 days in an air-tight container.
Nutrition Facts are a rough estimate without considering extras. Please consult a medical professional for accuracy if needed.
This recipe belongs to Planty Of Eats

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Creamy Vegan Mac Salad
Amount per Serving
Calories
341
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
16.4
g
25
%
Saturated Fat
 
0.2
g
1
%
Sodium
 
462
mg
20
%
Potassium
 
189
mg
5
%
Carbohydrates
 
42.1
g
14
%
Fiber
 
2.6
g
11
%
Sugar
 
5.4
g
6
%
Protein
 
7.2
g
14
%
Calcium
 
49
mg
5
%
Iron
 
2
mg
11
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Tried this recipe?Mention or tag @plantyofeats !

This post was originally published on Jan 5, 2021. It has been updated on March 13, 2022 with new photos and some changes.

Check out some of my other delicious salads!

  • Eggless Egg Salad
  • Vegan Cucumber Salad
« Ultimate Oil Free Tofu Scramble
Vegan Stuffed Pepper Soup »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Asher

    November 15, 2021 at 2:00 pm

    5 stars
    How is this SO MUCH BETTER with bell peppers?! Seriously, I may never use onions again, haha!

    Reply
    • Bree

      December 21, 2021 at 7:51 am

      Thank you!

      Reply
  2. Tom

    November 19, 2021 at 12:45 pm

    5 stars
    I've personally had this and I can tell you that this stuff is delicious! I wish Bree would make more!

    Reply
    • Bree

      November 20, 2021 at 7:32 am

      5 stars
      Thank you, dear <3

      Reply
  3. Bree

    December 21, 2021 at 7:51 am

    5 stars
    Thank you so much, Mandy!

    Reply

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