Description
A creamy and flavorful pasta salad inspired by classic deviled eggs, featuring elbow macaroni, chopped hard-boiled eggs, and a tangy mayonnaise-based dressing. This dish is ideal for potlucks, holidays, and summer gatherings, delivering a familiar taste in a refreshing, easy-to-make salad.
Ingredients
Pasta
- 2 cups elbow macaroni (uncooked)
Eggs
- 6 hard-boiled eggs, peeled and chopped
Dressing
- ¾ cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 tablespoon dill pickle relish
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- ½ teaspoon paprika (plus more for garnish)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Vegetables
- ⅓ cup celery, finely diced
- 2 tablespoons red onion, finely diced
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Boil salted water in a large pot, then cook 2 cups of elbow macaroni according to package directions until tender. Drain the pasta and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down.
- Prepare the Dressing: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together ¾ cup mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon yellow mustard, 1 tablespoon dill pickle relish, 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar, ½ teaspoon paprika, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper until smooth and combined.
- Combine Ingredients: To the dressing, add the cooked and cooled macaroni, 6 chopped hard-boiled eggs, ⅓ cup finely diced celery, and 2 tablespoons finely diced red onion. Gently stir to evenly coat all the ingredients without breaking up the eggs too much.
- Chill the Salad: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill the pasta salad for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld together and the salad to firm up.
- Serve and Garnish: Before serving, sprinkle a little extra paprika over the top for added color and subtle smoky flavor. Serve chilled.
Notes
- Mash 1–2 hard-boiled eggs into the dressing to enhance the deviled egg flavor and create a creamier texture.
- The pasta salad tastes even better the next day as the flavors continue to develop.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
