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Classic Creamy Macaroni Salad Recipe Easy Homemade for Summer Cookouts

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A creamy, tangy, and crunchy macaroni salad perfect for summer cookouts, featuring a secret touch of pickle juice and sugar for balanced flavor.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups (about 200g) uncooked elbow macaroni
  • 1 cup (240 ml) mayonnaise (full-fat or light)
  • 2 tablespoons (30 ml) apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon (15 g) granulated sugar
  • 3 tablespoons (45 ml) dill pickle relish
  • 1/2 cup (50 g) finely chopped celery
  • 1/4 cup (40 g) finely diced red onion
  • 2 large hard-boiled eggs, chopped (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon (5 ml) mustard (yellow or Dijon)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 2 cups (200g) of elbow macaroni and cook for 7-8 minutes until al dente—tender but still firm. Drain in a colander and rinse under cold water to stop cooking. Set aside to drain completely (about 5 minutes).
  2. While the pasta cools, finely chop 1/2 cup celery and 1/4 cup red onion. Peel and chop 2 hard-boiled eggs if using.
  3. In a large bowl, combine 1 cup mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon sugar, 3 tablespoons dill pickle relish, and 1 teaspoon mustard. Whisk until smooth and creamy, tasting for balance. Add a pinch of salt and pepper.
  4. Add the drained macaroni, chopped celery, onion, and eggs to the dressing. Gently fold everything together with a spatula or large spoon, taking care not to break the pasta.
  5. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight, to let flavors marry and the salad firm up.
  6. Before serving, gently stir and adjust salt and pepper if needed. Optionally add a little extra vinegar or pickle juice to freshen the flavor.

Notes

Rinse pasta after cooking to prevent gumminess. Chill salad for at least 2 hours for best flavor. Finer chopping of veggies improves texture balance. Adjust sugar and vinegar to taste to avoid overpowering acidity.

Nutrition

Keywords: macaroni salad, creamy macaroni salad, summer cookout salad, picnic salad, easy pasta salad, classic macaroni salad

Find it online: https://coracooks.com/classic-creamy-macaroni-salad-recipe-easy-homemade-for-summer-cookouts/