Old Fashioned Macaroni Salad
A creamy classic macaroni salad perfect for summer gatherings, featuring a balanced tangy and sweet dressing with crunchy celery and onion.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes plus chilling time
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 8 ounces elbow macaroni
- 3/4 cup mayonnaise (full-fat)
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 cup celery, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
- 2 large hard-boiled eggs, chopped (optional)
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil (about 1 tablespoon salt per quart). Add elbow macaroni and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water immediately. Drain well and set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, granulated sugar, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper until smooth and creamy.
- Finely dice celery and red onion. Chop hard-boiled eggs if using.
- Add cooled macaroni, celery, onion, and eggs to the dressing. Gently fold together using a wooden spoon or spatula until evenly coated without mashing.
- Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, preferably overnight, to let flavors meld. Remove from fridge 15 minutes before serving.
Notes
[‘Do not skip chilling time; salad tastes better after flavors meld.’, ‘Salt pasta water well to season macaroni properly.’, ‘Drain pasta thoroughly to avoid watery salad.’, ‘Soak red onion in cold water for 10 minutes to mellow sharpness if desired.’, ‘Remove salad from fridge 15 minutes before serving to soften mayo and enhance flavor.’, ‘Optional additions: tuna, sweet pickles, fresh herbs like dill or parsley, or substitute half mayo with Greek yogurt for a lighter version.’, ‘Not recommended to freeze or reheat; best served cold or at room temperature.’]
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Approximately 1 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 5
- Sodium: 460
- Fat: 16
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Carbohydrates: 38
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 8
Keywords: macaroni salad, old fashioned, creamy, summer side dish, picnic, potluck, classic recipe