Classic Macaroni Salad

4.48 from 19 votes

This classic macaroni salad is packed full of crunchy vegetables, hard-boiled eggs, and a homemade dressing made out of yellow mustard, mayonnaise, and pickle juice. It's the perfect old fashioned Easter side dish or a delicious summertime cookout addition.

Prep Time30

Cook Time10

Total Time40

Course: Side Dishes

Cuisine: American

Keyword: homemade macaroni salad, macaroni salad with mayonnaise, macaroni salad with pickle juice, old fashioned macaroni salad, southern macaroni salad

Servings: side dish servings

Author: Brandy O'Neill

Equipment

Ingredients

1 pound elbow macaroni
6 hard boiled eggs minced
4 ribs celery minced
1 red bell pepper minced
1/3 cup minced red onion
1/3 cup minced dill pickle
1/4 cup minced parsley
2 cups mayonaise
1/4 cup yellow mustard
2 tablespoons pickle juice
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

Cook pasta according to the box directions.
Once fully cooked, drain and rinse under cold water until the pasta is cool.
Let the pasta drain while you prepare the rest of the macaroni salad.
In a large mixing bowl add minced hard boiled eggs, celery, red onion, dill pickle and parsley.
Add the pasta and stir gently to combine.
In a small mixing bowl whisk together mayonnaise, yellow mustard, pickle juice and granulated sugar.
Pour dressing over the ingredients in the bowl and toss to combine. Start by adding 1/2 of the dressing first and add more until you reach your desired consistency.
Taste and season with desired amount of kosher salt and black pepper.
Serve cold and remember to keep it cold since it includes mayonnaise.

Notes

*If you prefer a sweeter macaroni salad you can substitute sweet pickles for dill pickles or add 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar in the dressing.

Nutrition