This creamy garlic macaroni salad is loaded with tender pasta, fresh garlic, Romano cheese and a rich, tangy dressing that clings to every bite. Unlike traditional macaroni salad, this savory version skips the sugar and sweet pickle relish for bold Italian-inspired flavor. If you love easy cold pasta dishes, you’ll find plenty of delicious ideas in my collection of easy pasta salad recipes.
The combination of mayonnaise, sour cream, red wine vinegar and olive oil makes the dressing extra creamy without feeling overly heavy. Fresh garlic and garlic powder deliver layers of flavor, while grated Romano adds a salty, nutty finish. For another bold variation, try my Garlic Lovers Pasta Salad, which uses ricotta for a lighter, creamy dressing.
This easy macaroni salad tastes even better after chilling overnight, making it perfect for summer cookouts, potlucks, game days and family dinners. Serve it with burgers, grilled chicken, Italian sandwiches or pizza. If you want a heartier version with bacon and fresh vegetables, my Garlicky BLT Macaroni Salad is another crowd-pleasing side dish.
More Pasta Salads You’ll Love
Why You’ll Love This Creamy Garlic Macaroni Salad
- Rich, creamy and packed with garlic flavor
- No sugar or sweet pickle relish
- Easy to prepare ahead of time
- Made with simple ingredients
- Perfect for cookouts, potlucks and parties
- Even more flavorful after chilling overnight
- Delicious with sandwiches, grilled meat or pizza
What Makes This Macaroni Salad Different?
Most traditional macaroni salad recipes contain sugar, mustard and sweet pickle relish. This creamy garlic macaroni salad takes a savory Italian-inspired approach.
The dressing combines mayonnaise, sour cream, olive oil, red wine vinegar, fresh garlic and garlic powder. Finely grated Romano cheese gives it a salty, nutty finish while dried herbs add classic Italian flavor.
Using both fresh garlic and garlic powder is important. Fresh garlic provides the sharp, unmistakable garlic flavor, while garlic powder evenly seasons the entire dressing.
Ingredients for Creamy Garlic Macaroni Salad
Pasta
- 1 pound elbow macaroni or small pasta shells
- Salt for the pasta water
Creamy Garlic Dressing
- 1 cup full-fat mayonnaise
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 3 large garlic cloves, finely grated or minced
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried parsley
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ¼ cup finely grated Romano cheese
- 1 to 2 tablespoons reserved pasta water, if needed
Optional Add-Ins
- 2 tablespoons finely minced red onion
- ¼ cup finely diced celery
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- Additional Romano cheese for serving
How to Make Creamy Garlic Macaroni Salad
1. Cook the macaroni
Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Add the macaroni and cook according to the package directions.
For cold pasta salad, cook the pasta until tender rather than very firm or al dente. Pasta naturally becomes firmer once it has been refrigerated.
Before draining, reserve approximately ¼ cup of the pasta water.
2. Cool the pasta
Drain the macaroni and rinse it under cold running water to stop the cooking process. Shake the colander several times and allow the pasta to drain thoroughly.
Removing as much excess water as possible prevents the creamy garlic dressing from becoming thin.
3. Make the creamy garlic dressing
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, olive oil and red wine vinegar.
Add the fresh garlic, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, parsley, salt and black pepper. Stir in the grated Romano cheese.
Taste the dressing before adding the pasta. It should taste slightly stronger and saltier than you expect because the pasta will soften the flavors.
4. Combine the salad
Add the completely cooled macaroni to the bowl with the dressing. Fold everything together until each piece of pasta is evenly coated.
If the dressing feels too thick, add reserved pasta water one tablespoon at a time.
Fold in any optional red onion, celery or fresh parsley.
5. Refrigerate
Cover the macaroni salad and refrigerate it for at least four hours. For the strongest flavor, chill it overnight.
Before serving, stir the salad thoroughly. If the pasta has absorbed too much dressing, mix in one or two additional tablespoons of mayonnaise.
The Secret to Strong Garlic Flavor
For a truly garlicky macaroni salad, use fresh garlic and garlic powder together.
Finely grate the fresh garlic with a microplane rather than roughly chopping it. Grated garlic practically melts into the dressing, spreading its flavor throughout the entire salad without leaving large, harsh pieces behind.
The garlic flavor will also become stronger while the salad rests. If you are making it overnight, begin with three cloves and taste it again before serving.
Tips for the Best Garlic Macaroni Salad
Salt the pasta water generously
Cold pasta needs plenty of seasoning. Cooking the macaroni in salted water flavors it from the inside instead of relying entirely on the dressing.
Don’t undercook the pasta
Pasta becomes firmer when refrigerated. Cook the macaroni until tender, but not mushy, for the best texture after chilling.
Drain the pasta thoroughly
Water clinging to the macaroni can dilute the dressing. Allow it to sit in the colander for several minutes after rinsing.
Use full-fat mayonnaise
Full-fat mayonnaise produces the creamiest texture and richest flavor. Reduced-fat varieties can make the dressing thinner and less flavorful.
Grate your own Romano
Freshly grated Romano melts into the dressing more easily and has a stronger flavor than pre-shredded cheese.
Make it ahead
This salad tastes best after at least four hours in the refrigerator. An overnight rest gives the garlic and herbs time to season the pasta.
Save a little dressing
Macaroni absorbs dressing as it sits. Reserve a few spoonfuls or add fresh mayonnaise before serving to restore its creamy consistency.
Make It Your Own
This creamy garlic macaroni salad is delicious as written, but it can also be customized with a few simple additions.
- Add finely diced celery for extra crunch.
- Fold in chopped roasted red peppers for color and sweetness.
- Add sliced black olives for a stronger Italian flavor.
- Stir in diced provolone or mozzarella cheese.
- Add chopped pepperoncini for a tangy bite.
- Replace Romano with Parmesan if that is what you have.
- Add chopped grilled chicken to turn it into a light meal.
- Sprinkle crispy bacon over the salad before serving.
- Add fresh parsley or basil for a brighter finish.
Avoid adding too many vegetables, especially watery ingredients such as tomatoes or cucumbers. They can release moisture and thin the creamy dressing.
What to Serve With Creamy Garlic Macaroni Salad
This easy pasta salad pairs especially well with casual sandwiches and grilled meats. Try serving it with:
It also makes a flavorful addition to a summer cookout, game-day spread or cold buffet.
PrintCreamy Garlic Macaroni Salad
This creamy garlic macaroni salad combines tender pasta with a rich, tangy dressing made with fresh garlic, mayonnaise, sour cream and Romano cheese. It is an easy make-ahead side dish for cookouts, potlucks, parties and family dinners.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Chill Time: 4 Hours
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours 25 minutes
- Yield: 8–10 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 1 pound elbow macaroni
- 1 cup full-fat mayonnaise, plus more as needed
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 3 large garlic cloves, finely grated or minced
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried parsley
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt, plus more for the pasta water
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ¼ cup finely grated Romano cheese
- 1 to 2 tablespoons reserved pasta water, if needed
- Chopped fresh parsley and additional Romano cheese for serving, optional
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook according to the package directions until tender. Avoid leaving the pasta too firm because it will become firmer after chilling.
- Before draining the macaroni, reserve approximately ¼ cup of the pasta water. Drain the pasta and rinse it under cold running water to stop the cooking process.
- Shake the colander well and allow the macaroni to drain for several minutes. Removing the excess water prevents the dressing from becoming thin.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, olive oil and red wine vinegar.
- Add the grated garlic, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, dried parsley, salt and black pepper. Whisk until thoroughly combined.
- Stir the grated Romano cheese into the creamy garlic dressing.
- Add the cooled, well-drained macaroni to the bowl. Fold everything together until the pasta is evenly coated. If the dressing is too thick, add reserved pasta water one tablespoon at a time.
- Cover the bowl and refrigerate the macaroni salad for at least four hours. For the strongest flavor, refrigerate it overnight.
- Stir the salad thoroughly before serving. If the pasta has absorbed too much dressing, fold in one or two additional tablespoons of mayonnaise.
- Garnish with chopped parsley, black pepper and additional Romano cheese, if desired. Serve chilled.
Notes
- Use both fresh garlic and garlic powder for the strongest, most evenly distributed garlic flavor.
- Finely grate the fresh garlic so it blends smoothly into the dressing without leaving large pieces.
- Cook the macaroni until tender rather than very firm or al dente. Cold pasta becomes firmer after refrigeration.
- Drain the rinsed pasta thoroughly so excess water does not dilute the dressing.
- The garlic flavor becomes stronger as the salad rests. Three cloves provide a bold flavor after chilling overnight.
- Freshly grated Romano gives this salad a salty, savory finish. Parmesan can be substituted for a milder flavor.
- Macaroni absorbs dressing as it sits. Add a small amount of mayonnaise before serving if the salad appears dry.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days.
- Do not leave the salad at room temperature for longer than two hours, or one hour when the temperature is above 90°F.
- Freezing is not recommended because the creamy dressing may separate and the macaroni can become soft.
Make It Your Own
- Add ¼ cup finely diced celery for crunch.
- Fold in chopped roasted red peppers.
- Add sliced black olives or chopped pepperoncini.
- Stir in diced provolone or mozzarella.
- Add chopped fresh basil or parsley.
- Sprinkle cooked crumbled bacon over the top.
- Add diced grilled chicken to turn it into a light meal.
- Substitute Parmesan cheese for the Romano.
How Long Does Macaroni Salad Last?
Store creamy garlic macaroni salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days.
Give it a good stir before serving. If the salad appears dry, add a spoonful of mayonnaise and a small splash of red wine vinegar.
Do not leave mayonnaise-based pasta salad at room temperature for more than two hours. When serving it outdoors in hot weather, place the serving bowl over a larger bowl filled with ice.
Can You Freeze Macaroni Salad?
Freezing is not recommended. Mayonnaise and sour cream can separate after thawing, and the pasta may become overly soft.
Fortunately, this salad can be prepared one or two days before serving and stored in the refrigerator.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make creamy garlic macaroni salad the night before?
Yes. In fact, this macaroni salad tastes even better after chilling overnight. The resting time allows the garlic, Romano and seasonings to flavor the pasta.
Why did my macaroni salad become dry?
Pasta continues absorbing dressing while it rests. Stir in additional mayonnaise one tablespoon at a time until the salad is creamy again.
Can I use garlic paste?
Freshly grated garlic will provide the best flavor. However, refrigerated garlic paste can be substituted in a pinch. Use approximately one teaspoon of garlic paste for each garlic clove.
Can I use Parmesan instead of Romano?
Yes. Parmesan is slightly milder and less salty, but it works well in this recipe. Taste the finished dressing and add extra salt if needed.
Should I rinse macaroni for pasta salad?
Yes. Rinsing stops the cooking process, removes excess starch and quickly cools the pasta before it is combined with the mayonnaise-based dressing.
Can I leave out the sour cream?
Yes. Replace the sour cream with additional mayonnaise. The dressing will be slightly richer and less tangy.
Final Thoughts
This creamy garlic macaroni salad is the side dish to make when you want something more savory and flavorful than ordinary macaroni salad. It is rich, tangy and unapologetically garlicky, with just enough Romano cheese and Italian seasoning to make every bite stand out.
Prepare it the night before, let the flavors develop in the refrigerator and give it one final stir before serving. It is a simple make-ahead recipe that belongs at every cookout, party and sandwich night.
