Macaroni Salad Recipe
When it comes to classic picnic foods, few dishes can compete with this classic macaroni salad recipe. Whether it’s a family picnic, a backyard bbq, or a summer potluck, this macaroni salad recipe has become a favorite for my family. Its creamy texture, simple ingredients make it a perfect side dish for any occasion. You can whip up a bowl in about 30 minutes, and it is ready to serve after chilling for 1 hour.
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Macaroni salad is a classic dish that is perfect for summer and goes well with hot dogs, hamburgers, and other barbecue favorites. Nothing beats a big ol’ bowl of macaroni salad at a summer bbqs! This easy macaroni salad recipe is a crowd-pleaser and can be made with just a few ingredients that you likely already have in your pantry. It has a simple creamy mayo-based dressing is a one of my favorite recipes.
What Ingredients do you need?
- Elbow macaroni noodles
- Celery
- Onion sweet onion, red onion or green onions
- Hard-boiled eggs
- cup apple cider vinegar or white vinegar
- cup white sugar
- mayonnnaise recommended Hellman’s or Kraft
- heavy cream you can substitute sour cream, canned milk or whole milk
- salt
- black pepper
For the creamy dressing for this macaroni salad recipe includes vinegar, sugar, heavy cream, salt, pepper and mayonnaise (I always recommend a brand name mayonnaise. e.g. Hellman’s or Kraft.)
It’s the perfect balance of tangy – sweet and the heavy cream makes it extra creamy.
After mixing up the macaroni salad it is best to refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving. It will seem soupy when you mix it all together, but it will thicken to a perfect creaminess. It’s even better the next day. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
Macaroni Salad Add-ins
You can also add sweet pickles, dill pickles, green pepper, red bell peppers, olives, fresh herbs, a dash of dijon mustard or any crunchy veggies or even cheddar cheese!
How To Make This Macaroni Salad Recipe
Prepare macaroni according to package directions.
Drain and rinse in cool water
In a large bowl mix cooked macaroni, diced onion, diced celery, and chopped hard boiled eggs.
In small bowl, whisk together the vinegar, sugar, heavy cream, mayonnaise salt and pepper.
Pour dressing over your macaroni salad ingredients and stir well until combined.
Cover tightly and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
How Long Will Macaroni Salad Keep?
This macaroni salad will keep in a airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. Remember, if you are serving mayo-based salads outdoors in the summer to keep them on ice.
More salads:
Easy Grilled Corn Salad Recipe
Gram’s Sweet-Tangy Potato Salad
Apparel for the foodies & grillers
Macaroni Salad Recipe
Ingredients
For The Salad
- 1 pound elbow macaroni cooked according to directions on package
- 1/2 cup celery diced
- 1/2 cup onion diced
- 6 large hard boiled eggs, chopped see note for tips on hard-boiling eggs
For The Dressing
- 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar or white vinegar
- 1/3 cup white sugar
- 2 1/2 cup mayonnnaise recommended Hellman's or Kraft
- 1/2 cup heavy cream you can substitute sour cream, canned milk or whole milk
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- In a large bowl combine cooked macaroni, diced celery, diced onion, chopped hard boiled eggs.
- In a medium bowl whisk together the mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, heavy cream, salt and pepper.
- Pour dressing over macaroni salad ingredients and mix well. Cover tightly and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.