Macaroni Salad
Elbow macaroni in a tangy mayonnaise dressing with celery, pepper and onion. The picnic classic, thirty minutes plus chilling.
Method
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Boil the macaroni in well-salted water for 2 minutes longer than the packet says, about 10 minutes, until soft. Drain and rinse under cold water until cool.
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Whisk the mayonnaise, vinegar, mustard, sugar, milk, celery seeds, salt and pepper in a large bowl.
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Add the macaroni, celery, pepper, onion and carrot and stir until everything is coated.
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Cover and chill at least 1 hour so the flavours settle.
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Stir in a splash of milk if it has thickened, taste for salt and dust with paprika before serving.
Chef’s Tips
- Overcook the pasta slightly. Firm macaroni turns chalky when cold.
- Make the dressing looser than looks right. The pasta soaks it up.
- Stir in a splash of milk before serving if it has tightened up.
Pairing Suggestions
- Barbecued chicken
- Pulled pork sandwiches
- Sliced tomatoes
Storage & Reheating
Refrigerate up to 4 days and loosen with a spoonful of mayonnaise or milk before serving. Not suitable for freezing.
Common questions
How long does Macaroni Salad take to make?
About 30 minutes of hands-on work — 20 minutes of preparation and 10 minutes of cooking — plus 1 hour of chilling, so allow 1 hour 30 minutes from start to finish. The recipe serves 8.
What are the key tips for making Macaroni Salad?
Overcook the pasta slightly. Firm macaroni turns chalky when cold. Make the dressing looser than looks right. The pasta soaks it up. Stir in a splash of milk before serving if it has tightened up.
What should I serve with Macaroni Salad?
Barbecued chicken; Pulled pork sandwiches; Sliced tomatoes.
Can Macaroni Salad be made ahead or frozen?
Refrigerate up to 4 days and loosen with a spoonful of mayonnaise or milk before serving. Not suitable for freezing.
Is Macaroni Salad suitable for a special diet?
This recipe is vegetarian. Those labels are checked against the ingredient list, so a dish is only marked when nothing in it contradicts the claim.
How many calories are in Macaroni Salad?
About 356 kcal per serving, with 7 g protein, 37 g carbohydrate and 20 g fat. The figures are calculated from the ingredient list and are an estimate.
Nutritional Highlights
Per serving, calculated from the ingredient list. Treat these as an estimate — brands and cuts vary.
Reader Reviews
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Written and tested by Turab
One person, one kitchen — no test kitchen, no team. How every recipe on this site is checked before it goes up.