• RECIPES
    • All Recipes
    • KETO/LOW CARB
    • Appetizers/Drinks
    • Breads
    • Breakfast
    • Desserts
    • Main Courses
    • Soups
    • Side Dishes
    • Casseroles
    • HOLIDAYS/SEASONAL
      • Rosh Hashanah
      • Halloween
      • Thanksgiving
      • Chanukkah
      • Christmas
      • New Year’s Eve
      • St. Patrick’s Day
      • Super Bowl/Game Day
      • Easter
      • Passover
      • 4th of July
      • Cinco de Mayo
      • Memorial Day
    • Jewish Recipes
    • Asian Cooking
    • INSTANT POT
      • All Pressure Cooking
      • Dump and Push
      • Pot in Pot
      • Freezer Recipes
    • AIR FRYER
  • SHOP ESSENTIALS
    • Shop All Categories!
    • This Old Gal Pressure Cooker Cookbook
    • Shop My Favorites
    • What’s In My Kitchen!
    • Instant Pot & Pressure Cooker Stuff
    • TOG’s Gift Guide
    • Shop My Amazon Store
  • GET NEWSLETTER
  • BUY MY COOKBOOK

Work with TOG

  • RECIPE INDEX
    • All Recipes
    • Keto & Low Carb Recipes
    • Holidays/Seasonal
    • Jewish Recipes
    • Asian Recipes
    • Freezer Meals
  • BY METHOD
    • Instant Pot / Pressure Cooker
    • Air Fryer
    • Slow Cooker
  • SHOP ESSENTIAL PRODUCTS
    • Shop All Categories
    • What’s In My Kitchen!
    • Shop My Amazon Store
    • Buy My Cookbook!!!
  • SELKATZ TONKINESE
  • WORK WITH THIS OLD GAL
    • Contact This Old Gal
  • ABOUT TOG
    • Cookie Policy
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions & User Agreement
    • Recipe Photo Use Policy
    • Website Accessibility Statement

↑

This Old Gal

Delicious homemade recipes with step by step instructions

Restaurant Quality Meals From My Home To Yours

  • Recipes
    • All Recipes
    • Low Carb
    • Appetizers/Beverages
    • Breads
    • Breakfast
    • Desserts
    • Soups
    • Sides
    • Main Courses
    • Holidays/Seasonal
      • Rosh Hashanah
      • Halloween
      • Thanksgiving
      • Chanukkah
      • Christmas
      • Super Bowl/Game Day
      • New Year’s Eve
      • Passover
      • Easter
      • St. Patrick’s Day
      • Cinco de Mayo
      • Memorial Day
      • 4th of July
    • Casseroles
    • Jewish Recipes
    • Instant Pot/Pressure Cooker
      • Pot in Pot & One Pot
      • Dump and Push
    • Air Fryer
    • Freezer
  • Low Carb Recipes
  • Shop Essential Products
    • Shop All Categories!
    • Favorite Instant Pot Accessories
    • Shop My Amazon Store!
    • Favorite Pressure Cooker Accessories
    • Kitchen Tools Gadgets & Essentials
    • TOG’s Gift Guide
    • Instant Pot Mini 3 Quart Accessories
    • Favorite Baking Cooking Air Fryer Accessories & Bread Making Tools
    • Small Electric Kitchen Appliances & Pressure Cookers
    • Coupons, Brands & Reviews
  • About
    • Selkatz Tonkinese
    • Contact This Old Gal
    • Privacy Policy
    • Cookie Policy
    • Terms & Conditions & User Agreement
    • Recipe Photo Use Policy
    • Website Accessibility Statement

Home / Recipes / Main Courses / Pasta / BEST Instant Pot Macaroni Salad Recipe

BEST Instant Pot Macaroni Salad Recipe

June 12, 2019 By Jill Selkowitz / 7 Comments Updated July 3, 2021 / As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs I earn from qualifying purchases; see all disclosures.

Jump to Recipe

Instant Pot Macaroni Salad is a Southern style creamy pasta salad cheese, sweet pickles carrots, ham, peas in a creamy and tangy dressing! 

Instant Pot Macaroni Salad

Instant Pot Macaroni Salad

BEST Instant Pot Macaroni Salad with Al dente macaroni, cheese, carrots, olives, sweet pickles mixed with a tangy, creamy dressing will impress your guests. Perfect for picnics, pot lucks, barbecues, and gatherings. This Instant Pot Best Macaroni Salad recipe will become your go to macaroni salad. 

 

Cast of Ingredients for Instant Pot Macaroni Salad

Cast of Ingredients for Instant Pot Macaroni Salad

Elbow macaroni quickly cooks in the Instant Pot, Ninja Foodi or Pressure Cooker. It is best when made the day before your event, which gives you time to enjoy your time with friends and family.

Jump to Section

  • Ingredients for Instant Pot Macaroni Salad
  • Best Pasta for Instant Pot Macaroni Salad
  • This Old Gal’s Pasta Rule of Thumb
  • Pairing Macaroni Salad
  • Should Macaroni Be Rinsed?
  • Macaroni Salad with Yogurt
  • Tips and Tricks for Macaroni Salad
  • Can Ham Be Added?
  • BEST Instant Pot Macaroni Salad

Ingredients for Instant Pot Macaroni Salad

  • Elbow Macaroni
  • Mayonnaise and Yogurt – use your own homemade yogurt, or use yogurt from the store.
  • Chives
  • Black Olives
  • Cheese
  • Carrots
  • Pickles
  • Worcestershire Sauce – kicks up the flavor a notch.

Ingredients like cheese, pickles and olives make this a flavorful pasta salad. The blend of mayonnaise and yogurt give Instant Pot Macaroni Salad the perfect amount of creaminess without being heavy. Easy and versatile dish which transport nicely to any gathering.

Some people like hard boiled eggs in their macaroni salad. Check out my Instant Pot Egg Loaf recipe for the easiest way to prepare eggs at the same time you prepare the macaroni.

 

Macaroni in the instant pot

Pressure Cook the Macaroni

Salt the water well, as it’s the only chance to nicely season the macaroni. Brand of pasta does make a difference.

Best Pasta for Instant Pot Macaroni Salad

  • De Cecco Elbow Macaroni is always my pick. It can be pricey at the grocery store but I buy in bulk here and it is a great price.

Any type of pasta or semolina noodle is fine to use in this recipe. If using a different shape of pasta or noodle, your cook time may be different.

This Old Gal’s Pasta Rule of Thumb

  • Look at package of pasta and find the variable cook time. Choose the lesser time given and then subtract 2 minutes. For example, if your package of pasta says “cook for 8 – 11 minutes,” take that 8 minute number and cut it in half, which is 4. Then subtract 2 minutes from the 4 minutes and you will end up with the proper cook time. In this example the cook time will be 2 minutes.
  • After the 2 minute pressure cook time is up, wait 5 minutes and then release the rest of the pressure.
  • If the variable cook time on your package of pasta is 11 – 16 minutes, err on the lesser side. In this instance, the cook time would be 3 minutes. It is better to end up with overly firm pasta rather than mushy because you can continue to cook the pasta, but if it is mushy, there is nothing you can do to correct.
  • If the pasta is too firm or al dente for your taste, simply put the lid back on the pot and let the pasta sit in the hot pot. The residual heat will continue to cook the pasta. Check after a few minutes to see if the pasta has reached the perfect firmness for your liking. If not give it a stir and let sit some more.

Pro Tip: This recipe uses a bit of a natural release and the total time is figured into that, so only the cook time needs to be adjusted. The natural release time allows for a little pressure to release, so that the starchy water can settle and not spit out through the pressure valve when the pressure is released

 

carrots being grated in a food processor

Use a Food Processor to Grate Carrots

Shredded carrots are sold in packages at the grocery store. However, if you have a large food processor with a shredder attachment, you can easily make your own shredded carrots. It’s so much cheaper too. Zip zip, Done! Use as much or as little carrots as you like.

The Shredded Carrots will soften overnight in the dressing.

Pro Tip: If you can’t find sweet n’ spicy pickles, use either gherkins or bread and butter Pickles.

As they are both sweet pickles, add a sprinkling of garlic powder, a pinch extra of True Lemon or a teaspoon of red wine vinegar if you use sweet gherkin pickles instead of the sweet n’ spicy pickles.

Pro Tip: Chop up the Sweet N Spicy Pickles in the food processor too.

 

Mix Together Sauce Ingredients

Mix Together Sauce Ingredients

Pairing Macaroni Salad

  • Always an important question when planning a menu.
  • Instant Pot Macaroni Salad is a great side dish to my Pressure Cooker Carolina BBQ Spare Ribs. Don’t forget the Pressure Cooker Summer Picnic Potato Salad.
  • Instant Pot Best Macaroni Salad goes great with Air Fryer Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwiches and my Air Fryer Crispy Honey Garlic Chicken Wings too!

 

Run the Macaroni Under the Water

Run the Macaroni Under the Water

Should Macaroni Be Rinsed?

  • Yes, definitely. Pasta used in a cold pasta salad should be rinsed with cool water. The water will cool off the pasta to stop it from cooking, as well as remove the excess starch.

Macaroni Salad with Yogurt

  • Macaroni salad should be nice and creamy and also light and refreshing. 
  • Therefore, to keep it light and refreshing, I love to use a combination of mayonnaise and fresh Homemade Yogurt. As my  Instant Pot Greek Yogurt recipe is a fan favorite, it was easy to incorporate into the dressing.

Pro Tip: Yogurt adds just the right amount of zing and freshness. Hence the name Instant Pot BEST Macaroni Salad.

 

Combine Macaroni and Sauce

Combine Macaroni and Sauce

Another delicious summer and picnic salad is my Instant Pot Potato Salad  and my Pressure Cooker Pasta Cheese and Peas Salad. They are always so popular at summer gatherings.

Tips and Tricks for Macaroni Salad

  1. This salad is best when made the day before to let the flavors develop. Store it in the fridge in an air tight container.
  2. If using gherkins/sweet pickles, add a tiny pinch of garlic powder.
  3. If using all mayonnaise, add a drop more True Lemon or red wine vinegar to taste.
  4. Do you like that big Glass Bowl I used to serve this Salad? It’s a Bormioli Rocco Viva Salad Bowl and it’s a bargain.

 

Mix in the Cheese and Olives

Mix in the Cheese and Olives

Pro Tip: Swiss cheese and Colby Jack cheese are both wonderful in Instant Pot Macaroni Salad!

Can Ham Be Added?

Many people love ham in their macaroni salad.

  • If you like ham, grab a ham steak and cube it into on-half inch chunks.
  • Squeeze out the excess water from the ham steak cubes.

 

Instant Pot Pressure Cooker Best Macaroni Salad Recipe

Instant Pot Pressure Cooker Best Macaroni Salad Recipe

One bite of Instant Pot Best Macaroni Salad will have all your friends asking for the recipe! Add a pop of color by sprinkling on some parsley, cilantro or dill. 

Macaroni salad is so good, you might want to make a double batch! Enjoy.

More Instant Pot Picnic Recipes to make!

  • Red White Blue Fresh Berry Cheesecake Salad
  • Creamy Grapes Salad
  • Low Carb Avocado Chicken Salad [Instant Pot]
  • Asian Crunchy Noodle Salad with Peanut Butter Dressing

What’s your next picnic?

Kitchen Equipment and Essentials

  • Instant Pot, Ninja Foodi or Pressure Cooker
  • J.A. Henckels Classic 8 inch Chef’s Knife
  • di Oro Living Silicone Spatulas Set
  • Porcelain & Bamboo Salt Box with Spoon
  • Gravity Electric Salt and Pepper Grinder
  • My FANTASTIC Teak Cutting & Charcuterie Board & Compartments
  • Salbree 3 quart, 6 quart or 8 quart Steamer/Strainer Basket
  • 3.5 Quart Stainless Steel Mixing Bowl
  • Small 1.5 Quart “Pot in Pot” Mixing Bowl
  • Cuisinart Large Food Processor

Caring is sharing! If you would like to support This Old Gal, please share this recipe on Social Media, so that I can continue to bring you more wonderful recipes! 

If you share a picture of something you make from our blog, tag it with #thisoldgalcooks so we can see it. We might feature it on Instagram! It makes my day when I see you’ve made one of our recipes!

Here is the handy printable recipe:

Instant Pot Pressure Cooker Best Macaroni Salad Recipe

BEST Instant Pot Macaroni Salad

5 from 2 votes
Print Pin SaveSaved! Rate
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 2 minutes
Total Time: 17 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Calories: 241kcal
Author: Jill Selkowitz

Ingredients

  • 1 lb Elbow Macaroni
  • 4 cups Fresh Water salted
  • 2 tsp Kosher Salt
  • 4 oz Cheddar or Swiss Cheese cubed
  • 2 stalks Celery diced

Sauce Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup Mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup Homemade Yogurt
  • 4 ounces Carrots diced or shredded
  • 2 ounces Sweet 'N Spicy Pickles diced
  • 2 Scallions chopped (or red onions)
  • 1/8 cup Apple Cider Vinegar (or 1/4 tsp True Lemon)
  • 1 Tablespoon White Sugar
  • 2 teaspoons Dijon Mustard
  • 1 teaspoon Kosher Salt or to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon Freshly Ground Black Pepper

Optional Add Ins

  • 1 tsp Worcestershire Sauce for a little tang
  • 3 oz Black Olives sliced
  • 2 ounces Red Bell Peppers minced
  • 1/2 cup Frozen Peas thawed and drained of any water
US Customary - Metric

Recommended Products

Instant Pot Electric Pressure Cooker
Rösle Stainless Steel Flat Whisk
J.A. Henckels Classic 8 inch Chef's Knife
Elbow Macaroni
Cuisinart Large Food Processor
Bormioli Rocco Viva Salad Bowl

Instructions

  • Add Elbow Macaroni, Kosher Salt and Fresh Water to Pressure Cooker cooking pot.
  • Lock on lid and close pressure value. Cook at high pressure (most machines default to high pressure) for 2 minutes.
  • When Beep is heard, wait 5 minutes, then release all pressure.
  • Add cool water to Instant Pot and pour macaroni through the strainer basket to drain.
  • Place macaroni into large mixing bowl, along with the cheese, carrots, celery, peas (if using) and scallions.
  • While macaroni is cooking, make the sauce.
  • In a small mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, yogurt, minced pickles, apple cider vinegar, sugar, Dijon mustard, salt and pepper.
  • Pour dressing over macaroni and toss until well coated.
  • Cover bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and let chill in the refrigerator for at least one hour.

Notes

Any type of pasta or semolina noodle is fine to use in this recipe. If using a different shape of pasta or noodle, your cook time may be different.

This Old Gal's Pasta Rule of Thumb

  • Look at package of pasta and find the variable cook time. Choose the lesser time given and then subtract 2 minutes. For example, if your package of pasta says "cook for 8 - 11 minutes," take that 8 minute number and cut it in half, which is 4. Then subtract 2 minutes from the 4 minutes and you will end up with the proper cook time. In this example the cook time will be 2 minutes.
  • After the 2 minute pressure cook time is up, wait 5 minutes and then release the rest of the pressure.
  • If the variable cook time on your package of pasta is 11 - 16 minutes, err on the lesser side. In this instance, the cook time would be 3 minutes. It is better to end up with overly firm pasta rather than mushy because you can continue to cook the pasta, but if it is mushy, there is nothing you can do to correct.
  • If the pasta is too firm or al dente for your taste, simply put the lid back on the pot and let the pasta sit in the hot pot.  The residual heat will continue to cook the pasta. Check after a few minutes to see if the pasta has reached the perfect firmness for your liking. If not give it a stir and let sit some more.
This recipe uses a bit of a natural release and the total time is figured into that, so only the cook time needs to be adjusted. The natural release time allows for a little pressure to release, so that the starchy water can settle and not spit out through the pressure valve when the pressure is released

Tips

  • This salad is best when made the day before to let the flavors develop. Store it in the fridge in an air tight container.
  • Salt the water well - it's your only chance to season the macaroni.

Extras

  • I highly recommend mixing in the peas. I know some people do not like peas and why I left it out of the photos.
  • If you like ham in your macaroni salad, cube up 8 ounces of ham steak. Make sure to squeeze all the excess water out really well before adding to the salad.
  • Kids love sliced hot dogs in their macaroni salad. Really, they do.
  • Eggs - check out my Instant Pot Egg Loaf Recipe if you want to add eggs. You can cook them right with the macaroni!
Do you like that big glass bowl I used to serve this salad? It's a Bormioli Rocco Viva Salad Bowl and it's a bargain.
Originally published on July 2, 2017. Republished on June 12th 2019.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
BEST Instant Pot Macaroni Salad
Amount Per Serving
Calories 241 Calories from Fat 81
% Daily Value*
Fat 9g14%
Saturated Fat 3g19%
Cholesterol 13mg4%
Sodium 848mg37%
Potassium 191mg5%
Carbohydrates 33g11%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 4g4%
Protein 8g16%
Vitamin A 1959IU39%
Vitamin C 10mg12%
Calcium 99mg10%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Tried this recipe?Mention @ThisOldGalCooks or tag #thisoldgalcooks!
© ThisOldGal.com - Sharing the recipe link to any of my recipes posts are both encouraged and appreciated. Unauthorized and improperly attributed or non-attributed use of this material, including screen shots, copy/paste of full recipes to any social media site, website, mobile application or service (e.g., copymethat, recipe keeper, pepper) or cookbook, without the requisite attribution or otherwise with express written permission from Jill Selkowitz is strictly prohibited. You may share a photo with a link back instead.

PIN this Pressure Cooker Best Macaroni Salad Recipe!

Pressure Cooker Best Macaroni Salad Recipe

Pressure Cooker Best Macaroni Salad Recipe

1.9K shares
  • 617
  • 1

June 12, 2019

About Jill Selkowitz

Hi, I'm Jill. I'm a mom to Tonkinese cats and enjoy sharing restaurant quality meals, easily made at home. With my easy step by step photos and directions, new cooks will be able to follow along and cook like rock stars.

Comments

  1. Cynthia Martino says

    July 7, 2020 at 4:08 pm

    Recipe lists Dijon but it’s not on the list of ingredients. How much?

    Reply
    • Jill Selkowitz says

      July 8, 2020 at 11:24 am

      Start with 2 teaspoons, Cynthia. Jill

      Reply
  2. Ronda says

    June 13, 2019 at 6:44 am

    5 stars
    Awesome job stealing from Pressure Luck. You should be proud of yourself.

    Reply
    • Jill Selkowitz says

      June 13, 2019 at 1:43 pm

      Hi Jeffrey. This is a republished recipe from a couple of years ago. Check the dates. Not sure why you keep going around to various blogs and use fake names to tell others they copy you. Not cool! Enjoy some yogurt instead. 😉

      Reply
  3. Lauren says

    July 17, 2017 at 7:05 am

    How does cooking time for the pasta change if I use 1/2 lb of pasta instead of a full pound? My family just can’t eat pasta salad fast enough to make a full batch at once!!

    Reply
  4. Lori says

    July 5, 2017 at 8:36 am

    5 stars
    The salad is very tasty! Does the cast pic show green onions? They aren’t in printed recipe…
    Makes a lot, great for a party!

    Reply
    • Jill says

      July 8, 2017 at 9:10 pm

      Hi Lori~

      I am so glad you liked the salad. The bowl in the front of the pic has the scallions. Jill

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Welcome To My Kitchen

An image of Jill Selkowitz
Hi, I'm Jill, cooking enthusiast. Here you'll find top chef quality recipes with step by step photos and directions. More About Me

Memorial Day Recipes

Homemade Butterscotch Whipped Cream

Butterscotch Whipped Cream Topping or…

Southern Baked Ham Buns

Southern Baked Ham Buns [Ham &…

Pecan Chicken Salad Sandwiches

Pecan Chicken Salad Sandwiches…

Pressure Cooker Asian Style Chinese Boiled Peanuts

Instant Pot Chinese Boiled Peanuts…

Popular

Instant Pot Greek Yogurt (Thick and…

Instant Pot New York Cheesecake #1 Best…

Instant Pot No Boil Yogurt [Cold Start…

Instant Pot No Knead Bread (Dutch Oven)…

Latest

Instant Pot Low Carb Wonton Soup [Recipe…

Sesame Garlic Noodles [w/Asian Flair]…

Instant Pot Low Carb UNStuffed Cabbage…

Brown Butter Honey Garlic Salmon…

Seasonal

Instant Pot Jalapeño Macaroni Ham and…

Pasta de Bocaditos [Cuban Deviled Ham…

Pressure Cooker Chinese Take-Out General…

Instant Pot Chicken Biryani [Indian…

Featured on:

About | Contact | Work With Me | Privacy Policy | Sitemap
Copyright ©2023, This Old Gal. All Rights Reserved.
1.9K shares