Easy Macaroni Salad
This Easy Macaroni Salad is a classic side dish made with tender elbow pasta, crisp veggies and a creamy dressing. it's the perfect make-ahead salad for picnics, potlucks, and barbecues. Simple, refreshing, and full of flavor!
Ingredients
- 16 oz Macaroni Pasta
- 1 cup Mayo
- ¼ cup Dijon Mustard
- 1 tablespoon Apple Cider Vinegar
- 1 cup Red Bell Pepper
- 1 cup Celery chopped
- ½ cup Red Onion
- ¼ cup Sweet Relish
- 1 tablespoon Sugar
- ½ teaspoon Black Pepper
- ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder
- ½ teaspoon Onion Powder
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 2 tablespoon Fresh Parsley
- 1 Jalapeno diced
- ¾ cup Cheddar Cheese diced small
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Add the elbow macaroni and cook according to package instructions until al dente.
- Drain the pasta, then rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down. Set aside to drain completely.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the following ingredients: mayo, apple cider vinegar, dijon mustard, granulated sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt and pepper
- Mix until smooth and fully combined to create a creamy, tangy dressing.
- Add the cooled macaroni to the bowl with the dressing. Gently toss until all the pasta is well coated.
- Add the diced celery, diced red onion, diced red bell pepper, green onions, jalapenos, sweet relish, cubed cheese
- Gently stir all ingredients together until evenly mixed and everything is coated in the dressing.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to let the flavors meld together.
- Before serving, give the salad a final stir and taste to adjust seasoning if needed.
Video
Recipe Tips
For the best flavor and texture, I make my macaroni salad a few hours ahead or even the day before. This gives the pasta time to absorb the dressing and the flavors to fully develop. If it seems too thick from chilling add a little mayo to loosen it up.
