Bacon macaroni salad is a delicious, savory dish that takes the traditional macaroni salad to a whole new level. With its creamy dressing, crunchy bacon bits, and the perfect balance of flavors, this salad makes for a standout side dish at barbecues, picnics, or family gatherings. It combines the comforting creaminess of classic macaroni salad with the irresistible crunch and smoky flavor of crispy bacon, creating a dish that’s both satisfying and full of character.
The base of bacon macaroni salad is the same as the classic version – elbow macaroni pasta, boiled until al dente. Once the pasta is drained and cooled, it’s tossed with a creamy dressing made from mayonnaise, sour cream, and a touch of mustard or vinegar to balance the richness. A little salt, pepper, and garlic powder help to season the dressing, but the real magic comes from the bacon. Crispy bacon bits are scattered throughout the salad, offering salty, smoky goodness in every bite. The bacon adds not only flavor but also a satisfying crunch, contrasting beautifully with the soft, creamy pasta.
To round out the salad, you can add some additional vegetables for freshness and crunch. Chopped celery, bell peppers, and red onion give the salad a bit of texture and a pop of color, while also adding a refreshing element to balance the richness of the dressing and bacon. Some people even include a boiled egg or a sprinkle of cheese for extra flavor.
Bacon macaroni salad is incredibly versatile, too. You can customize it by adding your favorite ingredients, like pickles, olives, or fresh herbs like parsley or dill. For a little extra zing, a dash of hot sauce or a squeeze of lemon juice can brighten the flavors and cut through the richness.
This salad is perfect for summer gatherings, potlucks, or even as a side dish to complement grilled meats. The combination of creamy pasta, smoky bacon, and crunchy vegetables makes it a crowd-pleasing favorite that everyone will enjoy. It’s a dish that’s easy to make in advance, allowing the flavors to meld together and making it the perfect make-ahead option for any event. Whether you’re serving it at a backyard barbecue or just craving a comforting, flavorful side, bacon macaroni salad is always a hit.
Ingredients
- 2 cups macaroni cooked and drained
- 6 slices bacon cooked and crumbled
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1/2 cup diced celery
- 1/2 cup diced red onion
- 1/2 cup diced cherry tomatoes
- to taste salt and pepper
Instructions
- Cook the macaroni according to package instructions. Drain and allow to cool.
- In a large bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, and sugar until smooth.
- Add the cooled macaroni, crumbled bacon, celery, red onion, and cherry tomatoes to the bowl.
- Gently stir all ingredients together until evenly coated with the dressing.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste, and refrigerate for at least one hour before serving.
Nutrition
Tried this for a barbecue and it was a hit. Super easy to make, too!
I used regular white vinegar once in a pasta salad and it was way harsher. Apple cider vinegar is a better choice, but I’d still taste the dressing before mixing everything in.
Not gonna lie, I was skeptical about mixing sweet + vinegar + mayo. But it worked! My kids actually asked for seconds, so yeah.
My kids loved this! They normally don’t eat salad but this was gone in minutes.
Yum!
Not my fav. The bacon overpowered everything and it felt too greasy.
Bacon = happiness. Is there a better combo???
Bacon is life! This sounds delish. Can’t wait to try it out!
This is the best macaroni salad I’ve ever tasted! The bacon adds such a nice flavor. Highly recommend!
This was a hit at our BBQ! Everyone loved it. Will definitely make again!
Yummy! Even my kids liked it and they hate veggies. Thanks for sharing!
That’s awesome! Kids can be so picky, so this is quite a win! 🍅
I dunno… bacon in a salad seems weird. Isn’t that just pasta?🤔
I think the macaroni gets soggy if you keep it too long. Mine was great the first day, but by day two it softened a lot even though I refrigerated it right away. Any tips to keep it firmer?
I tried it but my mayo mixture never got “smooth” like the recipe says—maybe because my mayo was too thick. Still tasted okay though.
Why does it have sugar?? Just weird. Too sweet for my taste.
This salad is a hit at our BBQs! Everyone loves it. Definitely making it again!
Sounds delicious! Can’t wait to try it myself at the next BBQ.
This looks dangerously good. The cider vinegar + sugar combo should make it tangy without tasting “pickle-y.” I’m definitely adding more black pepper.
My kids ate it before it even made it to the fridge lol. I used tiny pasta because that’s what I had and it still worked. Super easy for a potluck.
I don’t know… I think the mayo would ruin it. I just like more simple recipes, you know?
I added too much vinegar, it’s too tangy now. I wouldn’t use that much again.
Bacon in salad? Sounds weird but I guess it’s ok. Didn’t like the vinegar much.
Too much mayo for my taste. Next time, I’ll use less.
I think the mayo is what makes it creamy and rich! But, to each their own. 👍
But it’s bacon mac salad, how can you do with no mayo? That’s crazy talk!
I made this for a potluck, and it disappeared within minutes! So easy to make.
So easy and delicious! Perfect for summer picnics. ✨
7/10. Easy recipe, but I accidentally overcooked the pasta and it got a little mushy. Still got compliments, so… yeah.
Yummy! I added some jalapenos for a kick and it was perfect. Thanks for sharing!
I don’t have applesider vinegar only normal vinegar 🤷♂️. Will it still be good?
Meh. Tastes like salad dressing with pasta. Bacon was good though.
Honestly I get what you mean—it’s basically a creamy tangy mayo-vinegar dressing situation. The bacon is definitely the hero here though. Did you refrigerate it long enough? I find it tastes way less “salad dressing” after an hour.
This salad was a hit at my BBQ! Everyone loved it! 😍
I didn’t have apple cider vinegar so I used lemon juice. Still came out good!
I tried this and it turned out AMAZING… I mean, for real. The tomatoes pop, the celery crunches, and the bacon flavor is on point. Will make again for sure.
Sounds tasty but I’m on a low-carb diet… no macaroni for me. 🍽️
You can try a low-carb version with cauliflower instead of macaroni! 😊
I don’t understand how people like mayo so much! Gross.
Not bad, but 1 cup mayo felt a bit heavy for my taste. Next time I’ll cut it down and add a splash more vinegar. Still, the flavors are nice and it holds up well in the fridge.
I’m not sure about 1 cup mayo with that much vinegar. Seems like it could split or get too sour, but I guess refrigerating helps. Will try once.
I think it needs more seasoning. I salted but it still tasted kinda flat, and the onion flavor was strong even after chilling.
Totally get that—this salad dressing is pretty tangy/sweet from the cider vinegar + sugar, so it can taste flat if the salt/pepper balance isn’t there. I’d try adding a bit more black pepper, and maybe 1–2 tsp more vinegar/sugar only if it tastes *too* sharp or *too* mild. Also, red onion can be intense—next time soak diced onion in cold water for 10 min or use a little less.
Bacon Mac salad = best ever. Period.
Totally agree! This salad is a game changer! Bacon makes everything better! 🥓💖
Honestly, I don’t get the hype. Bacon mac salad sounds good on paper, but I found it kinda bland unless I added extra salt. Might be my seasoning, but yeah, needs work.
Totally get that—mine is also pretty “meh” if I don’t season hard enough. I usually add a bit more salt/pepper (and sometimes a pinch of garlic powder) after it chills, because the flavors seem to dull a little.
Way too much mayo for my taste. Maybe cutting it in half could help? 🤔
Bacon and pasta? YUM! Can’t go wrong with those. I added some peas too.
Peas in mac salad? That’s an interesting twist! I like it!
Ugh, I left out the bacon and it was still good but I can tell it would be better!
I made it last week and was surprised by how good it tasted.
I totally agree! It’s so creamy and filling. I didn’t expect it to be such a hit at my BBQ.
So yummyyyy!!! 😋 Perfect for a picnic. I doubled up on bacon, of course!
Pretty solid recipe, but 1 hour in the fridge wasn’t enough for me—better after 3-4 hours. Also next time I’ll dice the onion smaller so it doesn’t get too punchy.
This looks like the perfect potluck situation—savory bacon + tangy vinegar dressing is such a good combo. I’d probably add a little black pepper and maybe a pinch of garlic powder for extra kick. Great that it needs chilling too!
Totally agree—bacon + that tangy vinegar dressing is the winning combo. I’m definitely adding black pepper too, and maybe a little garlic powder like you said. Chilling it makes it so much better!
Hmm… I dunno about the vinegar ratio. 1/4 cup sounds like it could be way too sour with a whole cup of mayo. I’d maybe cut it in half or use more sugar. Otherwise it’ll taste like a weird coleslaw situation.
Too much mayo for my taste. I reduced it a bit but still felt it was heavy. Maybe just me?
5/5 would eat again. I added chopped hard-boiled eggs for extra richness and it made it feel more like a meal than a side.
Bacon? Really? Doesn’t seem like it would work. I’m skeptical about this one.
I know it sounds strange, but trust me, it’s delish! The bacon adds a nice crunch and flavor. Don’t knock it till you try it!
Could you swap the cherry tomatoes for grape tomatoes? I feel like the cherries might pop and make it watery, but maybe that’s just my prep.
Yeah, you can swap grape for cherry tomatoes—both should work fine. Grapes are usually a bit firmer and less “poppy,” so watery risk might be lower. Just chop them the same size as the cherries (or halve) so everything stays evenly mixed.
My dressing didn’t get “smooth” like it says. I whisked hard, but it stayed a little grainy (maybe my sugar?). Still tasted good though—just not as pretty.
This salad was a hit at my BBQ! Everyone loved it! Will definitely make again.
The instructions are clear, and I like that you cool the macaroni first—makes a difference. I’m a big bacon person, so I’m already sold.
Bacon macaroni salad is a classic, but I think 1 tbsp sugar is low? I tend to like mine sweeter. Also, red onion is strong—would do less next time.
I tried it as written and liked the tanginess. If you do less red onion, you might not get enough bite though—maybe just soak the onion in cold water for 10 min?
Totally agree on the sugar—1 tbsp feels a little timid. I usually bump it up to 2 tbsp and it really balances the vinegar.
I dunno, it seemed a bit bland. Maybe add more bacon?
I dunno, I thought it was fine. Maybe you’re just not a bacon person? Try less mayo next time.
Totally agree! More bacon is always a good idea. You gotta have that flavor pop!
Not gonna lie, I’m skeptical about the cherry tomatoes in a mayo salad. Like… are they gonna go mushy after an hour? Could be fine though if you don’t overmix.
How do you cook the bacon? I used microwaved bacon bits and it just didn’t taste right. Help!
I dunno, man. Bacon bits are easy, but maybe try frying? Or is that too much work for you? Haha!
You should fry the bacon in a skillet until crispy! The microwave doesn’t really do it justice. Trust me, it’ll taste way better that way!
Do you really think the vinegar belongs in this? Seems strange to me…
This was a hit at our family BBQ! Everyone loved it. Will definitely make it again!
So glad to hear it was a hit! BBQs are the best with tasty sides like this. What’s your secret to making the bacon so crispy?
Really? Didn’t think pasta salad could be such a crowd-pleaser. I might try it but without the bacon. Too much fat for me.
Why does it have sugar in a salad? That doesn’t sound right. I’ll stick with my plain ones.
It’s good, but the measurements are kinda weird? Like 1 cup mayo for 2 cups pasta seems thick, and it was. I should’ve drained the macaroni a bit better.
Not fan of cold pasta salads. Maybe i just dont get it.
I followed the recipe but it turned out mushy. Did I overcook the macaroni?
This is the exact kind of side I’ll make again. Crunchy veggies + smoky bacon = perfect. I used grape tomatoes because that’s what I had, and it was fine.
Yes!! That crunchy-salty-sweet combo is the best. I also love swapping in whatever tomatoes I have—grape/cherry always works.
Wait, 1 cup mayo?? That sounds kinda heavy to me 😅 I used half mayo once and it was still good. But if grape tomatoes are fine, I guess I’ll stop being picky lol.
Yummm! Bacon makes everything better! I added some pickles and wow!
I love macaroni salad, but I’m not sure about the amount of apple cider vinegar. It came out a bit too sharp until I added more mayo. Still tasty though.
Yeah that vinegar can be sneaky—1/4 cup is a lot if you like a milder tang. Glad you rescued it with extra mayo!
I don’t like mayonnaise. Is there a substitute? Guess I’ll have to try something else.
Not bad at all! The dressing is a little more vinegary than I expected, but after an hour in the fridge it mellowed. I might cut the vinegar next time.
Perfect summer dish! I added some jalapeños for a kick! 🌶️
That sounds awesome! Jalapeños in mac salad? I gotta try that! 🌶️
I’m not sure why everyone loves this so much. It was just okay for me.
Sorry but macaroni salad with vinegar and mayo feels weird. Like, where’s the mustard? I think I’d prefer it more creamy and less sharp.
I get what you mean—vinegar in macaroni salad can be a little “sharp.” But the sugar helps balance it out, and the bacon adds that savory depth. If you want it more creamy, try adding a splash more mayo (or a small spoon of mustard) next time—totally adjustable.
I followed it mostly, but I used regular vinegar because I didn’t have apple cider. It was still okay, just less “bright.” Would probably be better with apple cider.
Made this for a potluck and it disappeared fast. The vinegar + sugar combo is really tangy and keeps it from tasting heavy. I added a little extra pepper and it was perfect.
That sounds exactly right—vinegar + sugar is such a good trick to keep pasta salad from feeling too heavy. Love that you added extra pepper!