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A large bowl of classic macaroni salad

Classic Macaroni Salad


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5 from 25 reviews

Description

Grandma’s macaroni salad with egg is a taste of Americana. It’s the potluck staple enjoyed at church socials and family gatherings for generations. Make her simple recipe in 30 minutes.


Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1 (16-ounce) box ditalini pasta, cooked al dente according to package instructions
  • 7 large hard-boiled eggs, peeled
  • 1/2 cup celery, minced
  • 1/2 cup red onion, minced
  • 1 small red bell pepper, seeded and minced
  • 1/4 cup Kosher dill pickles, minced
  • 1 (6-ounce) can black olives, diced
  • 3 tablespoons fresh dill, finely chopped
  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup sour cream
  • 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
  • 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
  • Sea salt to taste
  • Black pepper to taste
  • Paprika to taste

Instructions

RECIPE PREP: Cook the pasta al dente according to package directions. Set 1 hard boiled egg aside. It will be used for garnishing.

  1. Dice the veggies. Chop 6 of the eggs. The size of the diced ingredients should not be larger than the ditalini pasta. For classic macaroni salad, the texture of the noodles, not the crunch of veggies, should be the primary focus of every bite.
  2. Make the dressing. Add the wet ingredients to a small bowl: mayo, sour cream, dijon mustard, yellow mustard, and apple cider vinegar. Whisk them together. Add salt and pepper to taste. 
  3. Combine the dressing and pasta. Add the cooled noodles to a large bowl. Drizzle the dressing over the pasta. Stir briefly. 
  4. Fold in remaining ingredients: chopped eggs, celery, onion, bell pepper, pickles, olives, dill, salt and pepper. Toss to combine. Do a taste test. Adjust the spices as needed. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (or overnight). This dish should be served cold.
  5. Brighten and garnish the salad. Taste the cold salad. If it needs brightening, lightly sprinkle apple cider vinegar over the top, then mix it in. Garnish with a pinch of paprika, a sliced hard-boiled egg, a few whole pitted olives, and fresh dill or Italian parsley.

Notes

More flavorful add-ins: Mix in shredded cheddar cheese and (cooked) crisp crunchy bacon. For a spicy twist, add diced fire-roasted green chiles. For added tang, fold in some capers. For a crunchy garnish, try a handful of snapped or broken Fritos corn chips.

How long will macaroni salad last? When stored in an air-tight container and refrigerated, it can stay fresh for up to 5 days. For the best taste and texture, enjoy it within 3 days.

  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Salad
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American