Macaroni salad is a go-to, classic side I look forward to at every summer get-together. It’s simple to throw together and, when done right, is a creamy, bright addition to any party, potluck, or picnic spread. Done wrong, though? Bland, soggy, or dry mac salad is SUCH a disappointment. To get perfect mac salad every time, ditch the store-bought and make my guaranteed showstopper recipe instead. Read on for some things to know to make it the best it can be, every time:

How To Make Macaroni Salad

INGREDIENTS

PHOTO: JOSEPH DE LEO; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

• Pasta: Elbow is classic here—this is mac salad after all. That being said, you can use your favorite short pasta shape if you don’t have elbow.
• Olive Oil: A little bit of olive oil drizzled over the pasta prevents the noodles from sticking together; it’s a step you don’t want to skip!
• Mayo: Mayo is essential here, but you want to be careful with the amount. Add more than what I call for here, and you risk ending up with a goopy mess.
• Lemon Juice: The key to a glossy mac salad? Having a good amount of acid, in the form of lemon juice here, to loosen up the dressing.
• Sugar: A little bit of sugar won’t make this salad sweet, but it will tie all of our flavors together, and add a hint of sweetness that makes mac salad complete.
• Mix-Ins: Every element selected in this salad brings something to the table to make a great composition. The celery brings freshness, tomatoes offer sweet umami explosions, and Kalamata olives give you that brine and fruitiness that makes your mouth water. Don’t skip these!

delish!