Macaroni Salad Recipe

Indulge in the quintessential American pasta salad experience with our delectable Macaroni Salad recipe! This dish, synonymous with summertime festivities, perfectly complements BBQ meats, hot dogs, and hamburgers, making it the ultimate creamy, refreshing side dish for pleasing a crowd.

Discover the Ease of Macaroni Salad

Embrace the simplicity of our Macaroni Salad, a staple in American cuisine. Crafted with tender elbow macaroni, hardboiled eggs, crisp veggies, and a luscious creamy dressing, this dish is a year-round favourite. Whether cooling down hot proteins sizzling on the grill or accompanying a sandwich on a picnic, this recipe requires minimal preparation, making it ideal for those scorching summer months.

Key Ingredients for the Ultimate Macaroni Salad

1. Elbow Macaroni: The classic choice for our macaroni salad, elbow macaroni, offers the perfect canvas for the creamy dressing to cling to. While alternatives like rotini or penne work, nothing beats the delightful embrace of macaroni’s tiny crooks.
2. Red Bell Peppers: Opt for red bell peppers for their subtle sweetness. However, any bell pepper colour will suffice if red is unavailable.
3. Red Onion: The vibrant red onion adds both colour and a robust flavour to elevate the overall taste.
4. Celery: Fresh celery provides the ideal crunch and texture, enhancing the salad’s appeal.
5. Hardboiled Eggs: Easily sourced premade or prepared on your own, hardboiled eggs contribute to the salad’s heartiness.

While our preference leans towards bell peppers, red onion, and celery, feel free to experiment with your favourite crunchy veggies, such as carrots or peas.

Perfecting the Macaroni Salad Dressing

Crafting the ideal dressing is crucial, and our recipe features:

1. Mayonnaise: Opt for creamy, full-fat mayo for the best results. Alternatively, a mix of mayo and Greek yogurt adds a tangy twist.
2. Apple Cider Vinegar: This ingredient imparts a perfect amount of tang to cut through the richness of the mayo.
3. Sweet Pickle Relish: Choose the same sweet relish used for hot dogs, or chop up dill pickles as an alternative.
4. Mustard: Whether regular yellow or Dijon mustard, simplicity reigns supreme.
5. Salt & Pepper: Season to taste with your preferred level of salt and pepper.
6. Fresh Herbs (Optional): Elevate the salad with minced fresh parsley, dill, or green onion for an extra burst of colour and flavour.

Mastering the Macaroni Salad Creation

1. Prepare the Pasta: Cook elbow macaroni following package instructions. Rinse under cold water and set aside.
2. Make the Dressing: In a separate bowl, combine all dressing ingredients, whisking until smooth and creamy.
3. Toss the Salad: Combine macaroni, veggies, and eggs in a large bowl. Pour in the dressing, stir to combine, and season to taste with salt and pepper. Chill for a few hours or serve immediately.
4. Make-Ahead Option: Prepare the salad a few hours or up to a day ahead. Cover and store in the refrigerator, allowing flavours to develop. Stir before serving.

Answering Common Questions

Why is your salad bland? Ensure adequate salt and a balanced dressing for a flavourful macaroni salad.

How to fix over-salted pasta salad? Cut sodium with vinegar or add more mustard or relish.

How to moisten dry macaroni salad? Rehydrate with additional dressing if needed.

Can this salad be frozen? Avoid freezing, as pasta turns mushy upon thawing.

Macaroni Salad Recipe

Recipe by Puredishes.com

Experience the ease and delight of our Macaroni Salad – a perfect addition to your summer festivities!

Course: Salads, SidesCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy

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Servings

6

servings

Prep time

10

minutes

Cooking time

20

minutes

Calories

348

kcal

Total time

30

minutes

Ingredients

• Salad Ingredients:

• 2 large hard-boiled eggs

• 2 cups elbow macaroni, uncooked

• 1/2 cup diced red onion

• 1 cup diced red bell peppers

• 1/2 cup diced celery

• 1 Tbsp chopped parsley (optional for garnish)

• Dressing Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise

• 3 tbsp apple cider vinegar

• 3 tbsp sweet relish

• 3 tsp yellow mustard

• 1 tsp ground black pepper

• 1 tsp salt (adjust to taste)

Directions

• Cook the Elbow Macaroni: Follow package instructions in salted water. Drain, rinse under cold water, and set aside.
• Prepare the Dressing: Whisk together mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, sweet relish, yellow mustard, black pepper, and salt until smooth and creamy.
• Assemble the Salad: In a large bowl, combine macaroni, diced bell peppers, red onion, celery, and eggs.
• Add the Dressing: Pour the dressing over the salad and stir to combine. Garnish with parsley if desired.
• Serve or Refrigerate: Enjoy immediately or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.