Macaroni Salad Tips
A classic, creamy macaroni salad perfect for picnics, barbecues, or potlucks. This recipe includes expert tips for achieving the best texture and flavor.
Prep
: 10
Total
: 25 minutes
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound elbow macaroni
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
- 0.5 cup finely diced celery
- 0.5 cup finely diced red onion
- 0.5 cup finely diced red bell pepper
- 0.25 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 0.5 cup shredded carrot optional
- 0.25 cup sweet pickle relish optional
Instructions
Preparation Steps
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook macaroni according to package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. Let cool completely.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, sugar, salt, and black pepper until smooth.
- Add the cooled macaroni, celery, red onion, red bell pepper, and parsley to the dressing. Stir gently until everything is evenly coated.
- For best flavor, cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to meld.
- Before serving, stir the salad and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve chilled.
Notes
For a tangier flavor, increase the apple cider vinegar to 3 tablespoons. Add hard-boiled eggs or diced ham for extra protein.