5 from 20 votes
Classic Macaroni Salad Recipe
Classic Macaroni Salad balances tender elbow macaroni with a creamy dressing made from mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, and Dijon mustard. Mixed with crisp diced red bell pepper, celery, sweet pickle, red onion, and hard-boiled eggs, it offers a varied texture and a tangy, savory flavor. Chilling the salad allows the dressing to meld with the ingredients, making it a cool, satisfying dish suited for gatherings or as a side of a meal.
Prep Time
23 mins
Cook Time
7 mins
Chill Time
2 hrs
Total Time
2 hrs 30 mins
Servings:
8
servings
Calories:
648 kcal
Course:
Side Dish
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
Salad
- 1 lb. elbow macaroni dried
- 1 cup diced red bell pepper from approximately 1 pepper
- 1/2 cup diced celery from approximately 2 stalks
- 1/2 cup diced sweet pickle or gherkin
- 3 large egg diced, hard-boiled
- 1/4 cup diced red onion
Dressing
- 2 cups mayonnaise full fat is recommended
- 2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 Tbsp pickle juice from the jar, sweet
- 2 Tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
Prepare
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Once boiling, add some salt (amount not included in the recipe - it's up to you).
Cup of Yum
Boil pasta
- Add dried pasta to boiling water, following package directions for al dente.
- Drain, then rinse well with cold water. Let pasta sit in the colander to continue draining.
Make dressing
- In a large mixing bowl, add dressing ingredients, then whisk or stir well to combine.
Assemble salad
- In the same mixing bowl, add cooled and drained pasta, bell pepper, celery, pickles, eggs, and onion. Stir well to get everything well combined.
Chill
- Cover mixing bowl tightly, then refrigerate for 1-2 hours, 2+ is best though.
Serve
- Before serving, stir salad to redistribute the dressing, then serve cold.
Notes
- This recipe serves about 8 people, but you can adjust the quantity based on your needs.
Nutrition Information
Calories
648kcal
(32%)
Carbohydrates
49g
(16%)
Protein
11g
(22%)
Fat
45g
(69%)
Saturated Fat
7g
(35%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
26g
(153%)
Monounsaturated Fat
10g
(50%)
Trans Fat
0.1g
(5%)
Cholesterol
93mg
(31%)
Sodium
617mg
(26%)
Potassium
279mg
(6%)
Fiber
3g
(12%)
Sugar
7g
(14%)
Vitamin A
1128IU
(23%)
Vitamin C
39mg
(43%)
Calcium
37mg
(4%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 8 servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 648
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 648kcal | 32% |
| Carbohydrates | 49g | 16% |
| Protein | 11g | 22% |
| Fat | 45g | 69% |
| Saturated Fat | 7g | 35% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 26g | 153% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 10g | 50% |
| Trans Fat | 0.1g | 5% |
| Cholesterol | 93mg | 31% |
| Sodium | 617mg | 26% |
| Potassium | 279mg | 6% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 7g | 14% |
| Vitamin A | 1128IU | 23% |
| Vitamin C | 39mg | 43% |
| Calcium | 37mg | 4% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.