THE BEST Macaroni Salad Recipe
User Reviews
4.3
THE BEST Macaroni Salad Recipe
Description
The recipe features ditalini pasta cooked until tender and cooled thoroughly after rinsing. The salad includes diced hard-boiled eggs, minced celery ribs, seeded and minced red bell pepper, finely chopped red onion, and chopped sweet pickles (gherkins). These components contribute varied textures and a mild sweetness.
The dressing is a mixture of mayonnaise, pickle juice enhanced with an additional tablespoon, granulated sugar, Dijon mustard, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Tossing the pasta and vegetables with this dressing creates a creamy and lightly tangy profile. The salad is seasoned to taste and chilled for at least one hour before serving, which allows the flavors to harmonize and the salad to develop a balanced taste.
Chopped parsley can be sprinkled on top for color and subtle fresh notes, making this a classic, well-rounded pasta salad suitable as a side for picnics, barbecues, or casual meals.
Ingredients
Salad:
- 1 pound ditalini pasta , or other short pasta or shell
- 3 egg diced, hard-boiled
- 2 celery minced, ribs
- 1 red bell pepper , seeded and minced
- ¼ red onion , minced
- ¼ cup sweet pickles chopped, aka sweet gherkins
Dressing:
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup pickle juice plus 1 tablespoon
- 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
- 1 ½ tablespoons Dijon mustard
- salt Kosher salt and freshly ground
- black pepper Kosher salt and freshly ground
- parsley chopped, if desired
Instructions
- Cook the pasta in salted water according to the package directions, Drain in a colander and rinse under cold water until cooled. Shake the colander to toss the pasta, and drain for about 5 minutes, tossing occasionally.
- Transfer the drained pasta to a large bowl. Add the eggs, celery, red bell pepper, red onion and sweet pickles.
- In a small bowl, mix the mayonnaise, pickle juice, sugar, and Dijon mustard; season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Add to the macaroni and toss until evenly coated.
- Season with more salt and pepper to taste then refrigerate for 1 hour before serving. Sprinkle with chopped parsley to add a little color if desired.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 12Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 357 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 357kcal | 18% |
| Carbohydrates | 37g | 12% |
| Protein | 8g | 16% |
| Fat | 19g | 29% |
| Saturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Cholesterol | 65mg | 22% |
| Sodium | 208mg | 9% |
| Potassium | 157mg | 3% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 4g | 8% |
| Vitamin A | 494IU | 10% |
| Vitamin C | 15mg | 17% |
| Calcium | 22mg | 2% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.3
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