Classic, creamy, picnic-royalty vibes 😌🥗
Here’s a no-fail macaroni salad—balanced, not bland, and super customizable.
🥗 Classic Macaroni Salad
🛒 Ingredients
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
- ¾ cup mayonnaise
- 1–2 tbsp apple cider vinegar (or pickle juice 👀)
- 1 tbsp sugar (optional, but classic)
- 1 tsp Dijon or yellow mustard
- Salt & black pepper
Mix-ins (pick your squad):
- ½ cup celery, finely diced
- ¼ cup red onion, finely diced
- ½ cup bell pepper
- 2 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
- ½ cup sweet or dill pickles/relish
- Optional: shredded carrot, peas, bacon bits
👩🍳 Instructions
- Cook pasta
Boil in well-salted water until just tender.
Drain and rinse briefly with cold water. - Season while warm
Toss pasta with vinegar (or pickle juice). This = flavor inside, not just on top. - Make dressing
Mix mayo, mustard, sugar, salt, pepper. - Combine
Fold in pasta + mix-ins gently. - Chill
Refrigerate at least 1 hour. Stir and adjust seasoning before serving.
🔥 Flavor Upgrades
- Hawaiian style: add pineapple + a little extra sugar
- Southern: add eggs + a splash of pickle juice
- Deli style: swap some mayo for sour cream
- Creamier next day: stir in 1–2 tbsp milk or mayo
Best served cold with BBQ, ribs, fried chicken, or just eaten straight from the bowl at midnight 😏
Want it tangier, sweeter, or extra crunchy?
