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Old Fashioned Macaroni Salad Recipe

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4 from 14 reviews

This classic Old Fashioned Macaroni Salad features tender elbow macaroni mixed with crisp celery, bell peppers, shredded carrots, and red onion, all tossed in a creamy, tangy dressing made from mayonnaise, sweet pickle relish, and a hint of mustard. Perfectly chilled, it’s a refreshing side dish ideal for picnics, barbecues, or casual family meals.

  • Author: Emma
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
  • Yield: 12 servings
  • Category: Side Dish
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Pasta and Vegetables

  • 1 pound elbow macaroni (uncooked)
  • 1 cup thinly sliced celery (or diced)
  • 1 cup diced green bell pepper (or red bell pepper)
  • ¾ cup shredded carrots
  • ⅔ cup diced red onion

Dressing

  • 1 ¾ cups mayonnaise
  • ¼ cup sweet pickle relish
  • 2 Tablespoons granulated sugar (or to taste)
  • ⅓ cup distilled white vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons yellow mustard
  • 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook according to the package directions until al dente, ensuring it is firm to the bite but not overcooked. Drain the pasta and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down.
  2. Prepare the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sweet pickle relish, granulated sugar, distilled white vinegar, yellow mustard, salt, and black pepper until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
  3. Combine the salad ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the cooked and cooled elbow macaroni, thinly sliced celery, diced bell pepper, shredded carrots, and diced red onion, mixing the vegetables evenly throughout the pasta.
  4. Add the dressing: Pour the prepared dressing over the macaroni and vegetables. Gently toss everything together until all ingredients are coated evenly by the dressing.
  5. Chill the salad: Cover the bowl tightly and refrigerate the macaroni salad for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld and the salad to chill thoroughly before serving.

Notes

  • For best texture, avoid overcooking the pasta; it should be firm but tender.
  • Adjust the sugar, salt, and pepper in the dressing to your taste preferences.
  • You can substitute yellow mustard with Dijon mustard for a slightly different flavor.
  • The salad can be made a day ahead to enhance the flavor blending.
  • Keep the salad refrigerated and consume within 2-3 days for freshness.

Find it online: https://allcookedup.com/old-fashioned-macaroni-salad-recipe/