Macaroni Salad
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If you’re on the hunt for the perfect macaroni salad recipe, you’ve just hit the jackpot. This creamy, tangy, and downright delicious dish is the ultimate crowd-pleaser for any occasion. Whether you’re gearing up for a summer BBQ, a cozy picnic, or a simple family dinner, our macaroni salad is about to become your new favorite go-to.
This classic picnic recipe is ideal for serving with any grilling recipe, but we especially love it with burgers or hot dogs!
Why You’ll Love This Easy Macaroni Salad
- Quick and Easy: Perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute gatherings.
- Crowd-Pleaser: Ideal for potlucks, picnics, and BBQs.
- Make-Ahead: Prepares well in advance, saving you time on the day of your event.
- Affordable: Uses simple, budget-friendly ingredients.
Is this the best macaroni salad recipe? I like to think so. We made this for a pre 4th of July celebration and it was the very first thing to disappear. Since then we’ve been asked to make it over and over.
Imagine digging into a bowl of macaroni salad and being greeted with the creamy, tangy goodness you love, but with an extra twist. The addition of red pepper brings a delightful crunch and a subtle sweetness that elevates each bite. It adds a fresh, vibrant flavor that perfectly complements the classic creamy dressing, creating a harmonious balance of textures and tastes. This isn’t just any macaroni salad; it’s a flavor-packed experience that’s both familiar and exciting.
Ingredients You Need
Let’s chat about macaroni salad ingredients and sprinkle in some helpful tips.
- Mayonnaise: Use a high-quality mayo for the best flavor and texture. For a lighter option, mix with Greek yogurt or sour cream.
- Sugar: A little goes a long way; start with a small amount and adjust to taste. If you’re watching your sugar intake, consider using a sugar substitute or honey.
- Mustard: Dijon mustard adds a tangy, sophisticated flavor. Yellow mustard gives a classic taste and a bit of color.
- Vinegar: Apple cider vinegar or red wine vinegar are great choices for a tangy kick. Add vinegar gradually and taste as you go to avoid overpowering the dish.
- Seasonings: Salt and pepper are must-haves, but don’t forget to experiment with paprika, garlic powder, or a dash of cayenne for some heat. Fresh herbs like dill or parsley can add a burst of freshness.
- Celery: Dice it finely to ensure even distribution and a nice crunch in every bite. Use the inner stalks for a milder flavor.
- Red Onion: Soak chopped red onion in cold water for a few minutes to mellow its sharpness. Finely dice to avoid overwhelming the salad with too strong an onion flavor.
- Sweet Relish: Adds a sweet, tangy flavor that pairs well with the creamy dressing. If you prefer less sweetness, use dill relish instead.
- Bell Pepper: Red bell pepper adds a pop of color and a mild sweetness. Dice it evenly for a consistent texture throughout the salad.
These tips will help you get the most out of each ingredient, ensuring your macaroni salad is flavorful and well-balanced.
Best Macaroni Salad Recipe
While this macaroni salad recipe with mayo can be eaten immediately, it tastes even better the next day.
- Cook the Pasta: Cook the elbow macaroni according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down.
- Prepare the Dressing: In a large mixing bowl, combine the mayonnaise, sugar, mustard, and red wine vinegar. Whisk until the dressing is smooth and well combined. Season with garlic powder and salt and pepper to taste.
- Add the Vegetables: Stir in the finely diced celery, red onion, sweet relish, and red bell pepper. Mix until the vegetables are evenly distributed throughout the dressing.
- Combine Pasta and Dressing: Add the cooked and cooled macaroni to the bowl with the dressing and vegetables. Gently stir until the macaroni is thoroughly coated with the dressing.
- Chill and Serve: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together and the salad to chill properly.
- Final Touches: Before serving, give the macaroni salad a good stir to make sure the dressing is evenly distributed. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.
- Enjoy: Serve your macaroni salad chilled and enjoy the creamy, crunchy, and tangy goodness!
Helpful Tools
Here are some helpful tools to make your macaroni salad recipe a breeze:
- Large Mixing Bowl: (affiliate) For mixing the dressing and combining all ingredients.
- Whisk: (affiliate) Essential for making a smooth and well-blended dressing.
- Measuring Cups and Spoons: (affiliate) To ensure accurate measurements for the ingredients.
- Cutting Board and Knife: (affiliate) For finely dicing the celery, red onion, and bell pepper.
- Colander: (affiliate) For draining and rinsing the cooked macaroni.
These tools will help you prepare, mix, and serve your macaroni salad with ease.
Expert Tips:
- Season the Pasta Water: Add a generous amount of salt to the boiling water before cooking the macaroni. This ensures the pasta is flavorful from the start.
- Cook Pasta Al Dente: Overcooked pasta can become mushy in the salad. Cook it al dente, as it will continue to absorb some of the dressing.
- Cool Pasta Completely: Rinse the cooked pasta under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down quickly. This prevents it from becoming too soft.
- Balance the Flavors: Taste the dressing before adding it to the pasta. Adjust the seasoning, sugar, and vinegar to get the perfect balance of tangy, sweet, and savory.
- Let It Marinate: Refrigerate the macaroni salad for at least an hour before serving. This allows the flavors to meld and develop.
- Customize to Taste: Don’t be afraid to tweak the recipe. Add-ins like hard-boiled eggs, shredded cheese, or a dash of hot sauce can make it your own.
Recipe FAQs
While elbow macaroni is traditional, you can use other small pasta shapes like shells, rotini, or penne. Just make sure to cook them al dente.
Macaroni salad can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days. It can even be made a day ahead. In fact, it often tastes better after the flavors have had time to meld together in the refrigerator.
Yes, you can substitute with apple cider vinegar, white wine vinegar, rice vinegar, or even lemon juice for a different flavor profile.
Absolutely! Feel free to add ingredients like peas, cherry tomatoes, diced ham, or shredded chicken to customize your salad.
Ensure the pasta is fully cooled before mixing it with the dressing. If it seems dry after chilling, you can stir in a bit more mayonnaise or a splash of milk before serving.
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Macaroni Salad
Ingredients
- 2 cups macaroni noodles
Dressing
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1½ tablespoons sugar
- 1 tablespoon mustard (we like Dijon)
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar*
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
Toppings
- 1/2 cup celery (chopped finely (about 2 stalks))
- 3/4 cup red onion (chopped finely)
- 3/4 cup red bell pepper (chopped finely)
- 3 tablespoons sweet relish
Instructions
- Cook the elbow macaroni according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the mayonnaise, sugar, mustard, and red wine vinegar. Whisk until the dressing is smooth and well combined. Season with garlic powder and salt and pepper to taste.
- Stir in the finely diced celery, red onion, sweet relish, and red bell pepper. Mix until the vegetables are evenly distributed throughout the dressing.
- Add the cooked and cooled macaroni to the bowl with the dressing and vegetables. Gently stir until the macaroni is thoroughly coated with the dressing.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together and the salad to chill properly.
- Before serving, give the macaroni salad a good stir to make sure the dressing is evenly distributed. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.
- Serve your macaroni salad chilled and enjoy the creamy, crunchy, and tangy goodness!
Video
Notes
- Apple cider vinegar or red wine vinegar are great choices for a tangy kick. Add vinegar gradually and taste as you go to avoid overpowering the dish.
- Taste the dressing before adding it to the pasta. Adjust the seasoning, sugar, and vinegar to get the perfect balance of tangy, sweet, and savory.
- Refrigerate the macaroni salad for at least an hour before serving. This allows the flavors to meld and develop.
Nutrition
The nutrition facts provided are calculated using a third-party tool and are estimates only. Actual nutritional content may vary based on the ingredients and brands you use, as well as portion sizes. For accurate results, please consult a registered dietitian or nutritionist.
Not even kidding when I say I ate half of the bowl all by myself.