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Classic Homemade Macaroni Salad Recipe Easy Grandma Made Secret

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A creamy, tangy, and crunchy macaroni salad recipe perfected over decades, featuring elbow macaroni, mayo, mustard, celery, and hard-boiled eggs. Perfect for summer gatherings and easy to make with pantry staples.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups elbow macaroni (about 200g), cooked al dente and cooled
  • ¾ cup mayonnaise (180ml), preferably good-quality like Hellmann’s or Duke’s
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
  • 1 cup celery, finely chopped
  • ¼ cup red onion, finely diced (can substitute with green onion)
  • ¼ cup sweet pickle relish
  • 2 large hard-boiled eggs, chopped (optional but recommended)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water (about 4 quarts) to a boil. Add 2 cups (200g) of elbow macaroni and cook uncovered for 7-8 minutes or until al dente, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
  2. Drain the pasta in a colander and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down quickly. Drain well and transfer to a large mixing bowl.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together ¾ cup (180ml) mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, and 2 teaspoons granulated sugar until smooth. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper.
  4. Finely dice 1 cup celery and ¼ cup red onion. Chop 2 hard-boiled eggs into small chunks. Chop fresh parsley.
  5. Add the chopped celery, onion, sweet pickle relish (¼ cup), and eggs to the cooled macaroni. Pour the dressing over the top.
  6. Using a spatula or large spoon, gently fold the dressing into the pasta and veggies until everything is evenly coated. Do not overmix.
  7. Taste the salad and add salt and pepper as needed. Optionally, add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice or a splash more vinegar to brighten the flavor.
  8. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving to let the flavors meld.

Notes

Salt pasta water generously to season the pasta. Cool pasta completely before dressing to prevent watery salad. Use good-quality mayonnaise for best flavor. Chill salad for at least 2 hours to blend flavors. Be gentle when mixing to avoid mushy texture. Adjust seasoning gradually.

Nutrition

Keywords: macaroni salad, classic macaroni salad, homemade macaroni salad, summer side dish, picnic salad, barbecue side, creamy macaroni salad

Find it online: https://blairrecipes.com/classic-homemade-macaroni-salad-recipe-easy-grandma-made-secret/