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Creamy Macaroni Salad

Creamy Macaroni Salad
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This creamy macaroni salad combines tender elbow macaroni with a rich, tangy dressing and a colorful mix of crunchy vegetables and protein. Perfect as a quick, kid-friendly side dish or a make-ahead salad for picnics, potlucks, and family meals. Ready in under 20 minutes and loved by all ages, it offers a refreshing balance of flavors and textures that can be customized with various add-ins to suit your taste.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

  • 2 cups elbow macaroni

Dressing

  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
  • 2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste

Veggies & Protein

  • 1/2 cup celery, finely diced
  • 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
  • 3 hard-boiled eggs, chopped

Instructions

  1. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, then add the elbow macaroni. Cook according to package instructions until just tender but still firm, about 7 to 9 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool quickly and stop the cooking process.
  2. Prepare the Veggies and Eggs: While the pasta cooks, finely dice the celery and red onion. Peel and chop the hard-boiled eggs into bite-sized pieces to add crunch, color, and richness to the salad.
  3. Make the Dressing: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, yellow mustard, sweet pickle relish, apple cider vinegar, salt, and black pepper until smooth and tangy.
  4. Combine All Ingredients: Add the cooled macaroni, chopped celery, onions, and eggs to the dressing. Gently fold until pasta is evenly coated and ingredients are well distributed. Adjust seasoning if needed.
  5. Chill Before Serving: Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld and enhance the creamy, refreshing texture. Serve chilled.

Notes

  • Don’t overcook the pasta; slightly firm pasta prevents mushiness.
  • Chill the salad for a few hours or overnight for deeper flavor blending.
  • Drain and cool pasta thoroughly to avoid watery dressing.
  • Use fresh, crisp vegetables and freshly boiled eggs for best taste and appearance.
  • Customize the dressing by adjusting mayo, mustard, and vinegar to your preferred tanginess.

Nutrition

Keywords: macaroni salad, creamy macaroni salad, easy pasta salad, picnic recipes, potluck salad, kid-friendly salad, quick side dish

Find it online: https://gourmetglazing.com/creamy-macaroni-salad/