Creamy Classic American Macaroni Salad
A creamy, deli-style macaroni salad perfect for BBQs and picnics, featuring a tangy dressing and crunchy veggies for a comforting and crowd-pleasing side dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 18 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups (about 200g) dry elbow macaroni
- 3/4 cup (180ml) mayonnaise, full-fat
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 cup finely diced celery
- 1/4 cup sweet pickle relish
- 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
- 2 large hard-boiled eggs, chopped (optional)
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add 2 cups (200g) elbow macaroni and cook for 7-8 minutes until just tender but still firm to the bite (al dente). Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Drain macaroni in a colander and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool the pasta completely.
- While the pasta cooks, finely dice 1/2 cup celery, 1/4 cup red onion, and chop 2 hard-boiled eggs (if using). Set aside.
- In a mixing bowl, combine 3/4 cup mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon yellow mustard, 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, and 1 teaspoon sugar. Whisk until smooth and creamy.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
- Add the cooled macaroni, diced celery, red onion, sweet pickle relish, and chopped eggs to the bowl with dressing. Gently fold everything together with a spatula until evenly coated.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, preferably 2-3 hours, to let flavors meld.
- Before serving, stir gently and taste. Adjust salt, pepper, or vinegar if needed. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Notes
Do not overcook the pasta; cook until al dente and rinse under cold water immediately to stop cooking. Use full-fat mayonnaise for best creaminess. Chill the salad for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to meld. Adjust seasoning gradually and taste before serving. For vegan version, use vegan mayo and omit eggs.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1 cup (250g)
- Calories: 300
- Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 35
- Protein: 6
Keywords: macaroni salad, creamy macaroni salad, deli-style salad, BBQ side dish, picnic salad, classic macaroni salad