Description
A creamy and crunchy classic macaroni salad with tender pasta, fresh vegetables, and a tangy dressing. Perfect as a side dish for barbecues, potlucks, and family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups elbow macaroni (uncooked)
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup celery, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup red onion, finely diced
- 2 hard-boiled eggs, chopped (optional)
- 1/4 cup dill pickle relish (optional)
- Fresh parsley or chives for garnish
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook until just tender, about 7-8 minutes. The pasta should be cooked but still firm to the bite.
- Drain the macaroni in a colander and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool the pasta completely. Drain thoroughly and transfer to a large mixing bowl.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, sugar, salt, and pepper until smooth and creamy.
- Add the chopped celery, red onion, and any optional ingredients like eggs or relish to the macaroni. Pour the dressing over the mixture and gently fold everything together until the pasta is evenly coated.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary, adding more salt, pepper, or vinegar according to preference.
- Cover and refrigerate the macaroni salad for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight. This resting time allows the flavors to blend and the salad to chill perfectly.
- Before serving, give the salad a gentle stir and garnish with freshly chopped parsley or chives for a burst of color and freshness.
Notes
- Do not overcook the pasta; al dente texture is best.
- Rinse pasta under cold water after cooking to stop the cooking process and cool it quickly.
- Taste the dressing while mixing and adjust to your preference.
- For a lighter salad, replace some mayonnaise with Greek yogurt or sour cream.
- Chop vegetables evenly for a better texture and appearance.
- Chill the salad before serving to enhance flavors and refresh taste.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Boiling and Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: macaroni salad, classic macaroni salad, creamy pasta salad, summer side dish, picnic salad