# Macaroni Salad

Tender elbow macaroni in a creamy, tangy mayo dressing with crisp vegetables and a hint of sweetness. Classic cookout food that gets better as it sits.

_Salad_

Prep: 15 min · Cook: 10 min · Total: 25 min · Yields: 8 servings

## Ingredients

- 16 oz elbow macaroni
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp yellow mustard
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- ½ tsp salt (plus more for pasta water)
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 3 celery stalks (finely diced)
- ½ red onion (small, finely diced)
- 1 green bell pepper (finely diced)
- 3 hard-boiled eggs (peeled and chopped)
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish)

## Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil. Cook the 16 oz elbow macaroni 1–2 minutes past al dente — slightly softer pasta holds the dressing better. Drain and rinse under cold water until completely cool.
2. While the pasta cooks, whisk together the 1 cup mayonnaise, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1 tbsp yellow mustard, 2 tbsp granulated sugar, 0.5 tsp salt, and 0.25 tsp black pepper in a large bowl until smooth.
3. Add the diced 3 celery stalks, diced 0.5 red onion, and diced 1 green bell pepper to the dressing and stir to combine.
4. Add the drained, cooled macaroni to the bowl and fold everything together until the pasta is evenly coated.
5. Gently fold in the 3 chopped hard-boiled eggs, taking care not to break them up too much.
6. Taste and adjust seasoning — add more salt, a splash more vinegar for tang, or a pinch more sugar to balance.
7. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (2 hours is better) to let the dressing absorb into the pasta and the flavors meld.
8. Before serving, stir well and loosen with a splash of water or a spoonful of mayo if the salad has thickened. Garnish with the 2 tbsp fresh parsley.

## Tip

> Reserve a few tablespoons of the dressing and stir it in just before serving — pasta absorbs a surprising amount as it chills, and this keeps the salad creamy rather than dry.

Tags: comfort-food, make-ahead, vegetarian, cookout, crowd-pleaser

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