Description
This classic, creamy macaroni salad is a perfect side dish for BBQs, potlucks, and summer dinners. It features a tangy, slightly sweet dressing and crunchy vegetables, creating a flavorful and refreshing pasta salad that is always a crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
Pasta
- 2 cups elbow macaroni (uncooked)
Dressing
- ¾ cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Vegetables and Mix-ins
- ½ cup celery, finely diced
- ⅓ cup red onion, finely diced
- ½ cup red bell pepper, diced
- ¼ cup carrots, shredded
- 2 tablespoons dill pickle relish
- Optional: 2 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
Instructions
- Cook the macaroni: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook according to the package instructions until just tender. Drain well and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool the pasta.
- Prepare the dressing: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, yellow mustard, apple cider vinegar, sugar, salt, and black pepper until smooth and well combined.
- Combine ingredients: Add the cooled macaroni, finely diced celery, red onion, red bell pepper, shredded carrots, and dill pickle relish into the bowl with the dressing. Stir gently to coat all the ingredients evenly with the dressing.
- Add eggs (optional): If using, fold in the chopped hard-boiled eggs gently, being careful not to break them up too much.
- Chill before serving: Cover the salad and refrigerate it for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld together for the best taste.
Notes
- For extra creaminess, add 1–2 tablespoons of milk or pickle juice to the dressing.
- Adjust the sweetness by increasing or decreasing the sugar to your taste preference.
- The macaroni salad tastes even better the next day once the flavors have fully developed.
- Give the salad a good stir before serving and add a little extra mayonnaise if it appears dry.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
