[2] Like any dish, national and regional variations abound[1] but generally it is prepared with raw diced onions, dill or sweet pickles and celery and seasoned with salt and pepper.

[citation needed] In the Philippines, macaroni salad is a dessert or appetizer with a mildly sweet flavor.

It typically uses native sweetened jellies, cheese, as well as various fruits in contrast to western macaroni salads.

It is commonly consumed during holidays such as Christmas and New Year's Day, as well as parties and gatherings.

[1][7] In Puerto Rico, macaroni salad may contain mayonnaise, mustard, canned tuna or bits of Spam, onions, Cubanelle peppers and pimentos.