Print

Classic Homemade Macaroni Salad

A close-up of Classic Homemade Macaroni Salad in a white bowl, featuring elbow macaroni coated in creamy dressing with visible chunks of red onion and celery.
Print Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

Follow these steps to make a traditional, creamy, deli-style macaroni salad perfect for any gathering.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound elbow macaroni
  • 1 cup celery, finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup red onion, finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup sweet pickle relish
  • 3 large eggs, hard-boiled and chopped
  • 1 1/2 cups mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup yellow mustard
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 cup milk or heavy cream (optional, for thinning)

Instructions

  1. Cook the elbow macaroni according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta well and rinse immediately with cold water to stop the cooking process and remove excess starch. Set aside to cool completely.
  2. While the pasta cooks, prepare the vegetables and eggs. Chop the celery, red onion, and hard-boiled eggs. Place these, along with the sweet pickle relish, in a very large bowl.
  3. In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, yellow mustard, apple cider vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper until smooth. This is your dressing.
  4. Add the cooled, drained macaroni to the bowl with the vegetables and eggs.
  5. Pour the dressing over the macaroni mixture. Gently fold everything together until the pasta is evenly coated.
  6. If the salad seems too thick, stir in the milk or cream one tablespoon at a time until you reach your desired creamy consistency.
  7. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to meld.
  8. Before serving, taste and adjust seasoning if necessary, adding more salt or pepper.

Notes

  • Rinsing the cooked pasta thoroughly with cold water is key to preventing a gummy texture in the final salad.
  • For the best flavor, make this salad one day ahead of serving.
  • You can substitute sweet pickle relish with dill pickle relish if you prefer a less sweet dressing.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://whiskdaily.com/classic-homemade-macaroni-salad-recipe/