The best macaroni salad

292cd374

This macaroni salad is cool, creamy, and comforting with the perfect balance of tang, sweetness, and crunch. It’s loaded with tender pasta, crisp vegetables, and a creamy dressing that ties it all together. Ideal for make-ahead lunches, potlucks, or as a summer BBQ side.

⏱ Prep Time

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Chill Time: 1–2 hours (for best flavor)
Total Time: ~1.5 hours
Servings: 8–10

🍽 Equipment

Large pot
Strainer
Large mixing bowl
Knife and cutting board
Measuring cups/spoons
Rubber spatula or spoon

🧾 Ingredients

For the Salad:

1 lb elbow macaroni
1 cup celery, finely chopped
¾ cup red bell pepper, diced
½ cup red onion, finely diced
¾ cup shredded carrot
3 hard-boiled eggs, chopped (optional)
¼ cup sweet pickles or relish (optional but classic!)
¼ cup chopped parsley or green onions (optional garnish)

For the Dressing:

1 cup mayonnaise
2 tbsp sour cream (or plain Greek yogurt)
1 tbsp yellow mustard
1 tbsp Dijon mustard (optional, for depth)
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tsp sugar (adjust to taste)
Salt & pepper to taste

🥬 Ingredient Notes

Pasta: Elbow macaroni is traditional, but small shells or ditalini work well too.
Add-ins: Diced ham, peas, or cheese cubes are popular additions.
Pickles: Sweet pickles add tang and crunch — don’t skip unless you dislike sweetness.
Dressing: Add more mayo if the salad dries out after chilling.

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. Cook the Pasta

Cook macaroni in salted water until just past al dente (about 8–10 minutes).
Drain and rinse under cold water. Let it cool completely.

2. Prep the Mix-Ins

While pasta cools, chop celery, peppers, onion, carrot, eggs, and pickles.

3. Make the Dressing

In a small bowl, whisk together mayo, sour cream, both mustards, vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper until smooth.

4. Combine Everything

In a large mixing bowl, combine cooled macaroni with chopped veggies and eggs.
Pour dressing over the top and mix until fully coated.
Taste and adjust seasoning (add more vinegar, sugar, or salt if needed).

5. Chill & Serve

Cover and chill for at least 1 hour before serving.
Garnish with parsley or green onions just before serving.

🥗 Nutrition Facts (per ¾ cup serving, approx.)

Nutrient	Amount
Calories	~310
Total Fat	18g
Saturated Fat	3g
Carbohydrates	30g
Sugars	4g
Protein	6g
Sodium	320mg

💡 Tips & Variations

✅ Tips:

Rinse the pasta: This stops cooking and prevents mushiness.
Tastes better chilled: Letting it sit allows flavors to meld.
Re-dress if needed: Add a spoonful of mayo or splash of milk if salad dries out in the fridge.