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Creamy Classic Macaroni Salad

creamy classic macaroni salad - featured image
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A quick and easy creamy macaroni salad perfect for cookouts, featuring al dente elbow macaroni, crunchy celery, tangy pickles, and a flavorful mayo-mustard dressing.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups elbow macaroni (about 200g), cooked al dente and cooled
  • 1 cup celery, finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced (optional)
  • 2 large hard-boiled eggs, chopped
  • 1/2 cup sweet pickles or dill pickles, chopped
  • 3/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 2 cups (200g) of elbow macaroni and cook for 7-8 minutes until al dente.
  2. Drain in a colander and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. Drain well and set aside to cool completely.
  3. While the pasta cools, chop 1 cup celery, 1/4 cup red onion, 1/2 cup pickles, and 2 hard-boiled eggs.
  4. In a small bowl, whisk together 3/4 cup mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon yellow mustard, 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, 1 teaspoon sugar, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
  5. In a large bowl, gently fold the cooled macaroni, chopped veggies, eggs, and dressing together. Stir carefully so the salad stays fluffy, not mashed. If dressing seems thick, add a teaspoon of milk or pickle juice to thin it.
  6. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, ideally overnight, to allow flavors to meld and the salad to firm up.
  7. Before serving, give it a gentle stir, taste once more for seasoning, and add a sprinkle of freshly ground black pepper or chopped fresh herbs if desired.

Notes

Cook pasta al dente and rinse under cold water to prevent mushiness. Soak red onions in cold water for 10 minutes to mellow sharpness if desired. Chill salad for at least 2 hours or overnight for best flavor. Add a splash of milk or pickle juice if dressing is too thick before serving. Keep chilled with ice packs when serving outdoors.

Nutrition

Keywords: macaroni salad, creamy macaroni salad, cookout side dish, classic macaroni salad, easy pasta salad, picnic salad

Find it online: https://evabakery.com/creamy-classic-macaroni-salad-recipe-easy-perfect-for-cookouts/