Description
A creamy, tangy, and crunchy macaroni salad perfect for feeding a crowd, ideal for summer cookouts and potlucks. Easy to make ahead and customizable to your taste.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound elbow macaroni (450g)
- 1 cup mayonnaise (240ml)
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 2 stalks celery, diced
- 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
- ¼ cup red onion, finely diced (optional)
- 3 large hard-boiled eggs, chopped (optional)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 1 pound (450g) of elbow macaroni and cook according to package directions until just al dente, about 8-9 minutes. Drain in a colander and rinse under cold water until cooled completely. Set aside.
- While the pasta cooks, dice 2 celery stalks, 1 medium red bell pepper, and ¼ cup finely diced red onion. Chop 3 hard-boiled eggs into small pieces.
- In a small bowl, whisk together 1 cup mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon granulated sugar, and 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard. Adjust vinegar or sugar to taste.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooled macaroni, diced celery, bell pepper, red onion, and chopped eggs. Pour the dressing over and gently toss until evenly coated.
- Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley on top and toss gently.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight, to let flavors meld and chill.
Notes
Rinse pasta with cold water to stop cooking and prevent sticking. Chill salad overnight for best flavor. Stir gently to avoid breaking pasta. Adjust seasoning gradually. Add a splash of milk or extra mayo if salad thickens too much after chilling.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 280
- Fat: 14
- Carbohydrates: 30
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 8
Keywords: macaroni salad, creamy macaroni salad, pasta salad, potluck recipe, summer salad, crowd-pleaser, easy macaroni salad