Yesss, creamy macaroni salad is a classic for a reason 😌🥄 Here’s a rich, old-school creamy macaroni salad—perfect for cookouts, potlucks, or fridge snacking.
Creamy Macaroni Salad
Ingredients
- 2 cups elbow macaroni (uncooked)
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp yellow mustard
- ½ tsp salt (or to taste)
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ½ cup celery, finely chopped
- ¼ cup red onion, finely diced
- ½ cup carrots, shredded
- 2 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
- Optional: sweet pickle relish or diced pickles
Instructions
- Cook macaroni in salted water until just tender. Drain and rinse with cold water.
- In a large bowl, whisk together mayo, vinegar, sugar, mustard, salt, and pepper.
- Add macaroni, celery, onion, carrots, eggs, and pickles (if using).
- Stir gently until everything is well coated.
- Chill at least 1 hour before serving for best flavor.
Pro tips for extra creaminess
- Save 2–3 tbsp pasta water and stir it in if it thickens too much
- Add a spoonful of sour cream for tang
- Taste again after chilling—it almost always needs a pinch more salt
Want it Southern-style, Amish-style, or with a Hawaiian twist? 😋
