Macaroni salad is a classic American side dish that’s perfect for summer barbecues, potlucks, or any casual gathering. This easy-to-make salad is a crowd-pleaser and can be customized to your liking. The main ingredient is cooked elbow macaroni, which is then tossed with a dressing made from mayonnaise, vinegar, and mustard. Other common ingredients include chopped celery, onion, and bell pepper, as well as hard-boiled eggs and pickle relish.
To add some variety to your macaroni salad, you can experiment with different ingredients. For example, you could add some shredded carrots or chopped fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro. You could also swap out the mayo for Greek yogurt or sour cream for a tangy twist.
Macaroni salad is incredibly versatile and can be served as a side dish or as a light lunch. It’s best served chilled, so it’s a great make-ahead dish that you can prepare the day before. To make it more appealing, you can garnish with additional herbs or sprinkle paprika on top. Macaroni salad is a classic that has been enjoyed for generations and is sure to be a hit at any gathering.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups elbow macaroni, uncooked
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup finely chopped celery
- 1/3 cup finely chopped carrot
- 1 hard-boiled egg, chopped
- 1/4 cup finely minced onion, i use dehydrated onion
- 2 tablespoons sweet relish
- 3/4 teaspoon dry ground mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 dash paprika
- 3 quarts water
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
How To Make The Best Macaroni Salad:
In a large pot bring 3 quarts water to a rolling boil.Add 1 1/2 teaspoons salt.
Gradually add dry elbow macaroni.
Return to a boil.
Boil uncovered 6-8 minutes.
Drain well and rinse with cold water and drain again.
In a medium bowl combine all ingredients.
Place cooked macaroni in a large bowl and toss well with other ingredients.
Cover and refrigerate.
enjoy