Man-of-the-match Rickie Lambert returned to haunt his former club with two assists before securing the win with his 16th goal of the season.
Macclesfield squandered early chances when John Miles fired straight at the keeper in the eighth minute. Moments later he crossed for Paul Harsley who slid a shot inches wide of the upright.
They were made to pay in the 26th minute when the elegant Lambert delivered a pin-point cross to the far post for centre-back Rory McArdle to convert with a clinical downward header.
Macclesfield might have equalised seconds later, but a powerful header from David Morley was plucked from underneath the crossbar by the alert Matt Gilks.
Dale extended their lead two minutes after the break when a Lambert drive was palmed into the path of Iyseden Christie by Alan Fettis. The striker hammering a low shot against the post and the ball bouncing back unluckily off Danny Swailes for an own goal.
Macc were given a lifeline in the 56th minute when a Harlsey corner was flicked on by Matt McNeil for Miles to poke home a close range volley.
They thought they had equalised in the 59th minute when Miles released McNeil who, on his league debut, scored at the second attempt only to be signalled for a push on the keeper.
Rochdale then dominated with Chris Dagnall and Christie raining shots in on goal, and they deservedly sealed the game when midfield warrior Ernie Cooksey raced to the byline, crossing perfectly for Lambert to glance home from the six-yard line.