Description
This Best Macaroni Salad is a creamy, tangy, and colorful side dish perfect for picnics, barbecues, and potlucks. Made with al dente elbow macaroni, chopped hard-boiled eggs, fresh diced vegetables, and a flavorful dressing combining Miracle Whip, mustard, and pickle relish, it’s a classic comfort food that’s easy to prepare and deliciously satisfying.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 1 pound elbow macaroni or ditalini pasta
- 3 hard-boiled eggs, peeled and chopped
- 3/4 cup diced red onion
- 3/4 cup diced celery
- 3/4 cup diced bell peppers
Dressing Ingredients
- 15 ounces Miracle Whip or mayonnaise
- 3 tablespoons sugar or sugar substitute (adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon celery seed
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
- 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons dill pickle relish
- 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook until al dente according to package directions, about 8-10 minutes. Drain the pasta using a colander and rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process. Let it cool completely.
- Prepare the dressing: In a mixing bowl, combine Miracle Whip (or mayonnaise) with sugar, celery seed, garlic salt, apple cider vinegar, dill pickle relish, yellow mustard, salt, and pepper. Whisk thoroughly until all ingredients are well incorporated and the dressing is smooth.
- Combine ingredients: Add the cooled pasta to the dressing bowl. Then add the chopped hard-boiled eggs, diced red onion, celery, and bell peppers. Gently fold all ingredients together using a spatula or large spoon until the pasta and vegetables are evenly coated with the dressing.
- Chill: Transfer the macaroni salad to a serving bowl or airtight container. Cover with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate for at least one hour to allow the flavors to meld and the salad to chill before serving.
Notes
- For best results, cook pasta just until al dente to avoid a mushy salad.
- You can substitute Miracle Whip with mayonnaise for a richer flavor or lighter mayo for reduced calories.
- Adjust sugar according to your preferred sweetness level or use a sugar substitute to reduce calories.
- Include other vegetables like chopped carrots or peas for added texture and nutrition.
- The salad tastes best after chilling overnight, but a minimum of one hour is needed for flavors to develop.
- Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator and consume within 3 days for freshness and safety.
