Classic Macaroni Salad

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4.88 from 218 votes

Prep Time 25

Cook Time 10

Total Time 35

Servings

Calories 397kcal

Author Stacey Little

Ingredients

3 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
1/2 medium red onion (finely diced; about 1 cup)
1 rib celery (finely diced; about 1/3 cup)
1/2 green bell pepper (finely diced; about 1/3 cup)
1 cup mayo (like Duke's)
1 tablespoon yellow mustard
3 tablespoons white vinegar
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 teaspoons white sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic
1/2 teaspoon onion powder

Instructions

Cook macaroni according to package directions using salted water. Drain and run cool water over the pasta until it is cooled.
In another bowl stir together mayo, mustard, vinegar, pepper, sugar, salt, garlic, and onion powder. Add the onion, celery, and bell pepper. Mix well.
In a large bowl, add the pasta and about half of the dressing and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate the pasta and remaining dressing for at least 2 hours.
When ready to serve, add remaining dressing and toss to coat. Add additional salt and pepper to taste.

Video

Notes

I love the bite of red onion, but sometimes it can overpower a dish. Once it's diced, soak the red onion in cool water for about 5 minutes, then drain before adding to the dressing. This will tone down the sharpness of the onion without changing the flavor.

Nutrition

* If nutritional values are provided, they are an estimate and will vary depending on the brands used. The values do not include optional ingredients or when ingredients are added to taste.

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Find this recipe at https://grid-stratum.live/macaroni-salad-and-my-childhood-fears-of-the-potluck/%3C/p%3E%3C/div%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cscript%3Ewindow.wprm_recipes = {"recipe-13584":{"type":"food","name":"Classic Macaroni Salad","slug":"wprm-classic-macaroni-salad","image_url":"https:\/\/southernbite.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/07\/Classic-Macaroni-Salad-1.jpg","rating":{"count":218,"total":1062,"average":4.88,"type":{"comment":167,"no_comment":0,"user":51},"user":0},"ingredients":[{"uid":0,"amount":"3","unit":"cups","name":"uncooked elbow macaroni","notes":"","link":{"url":"","nofollow":"default"},"unit_id":9251,"id":2875,"type":"ingredient","unit_systems":{"unit-system-1":{"amount":"3","unit":"cups","unitParsed":"cups","unit_connector":"","unit_connector_spacing":"space-both","unit_connector_pluralizes_ingredient":true}}},{"uid":1,"amount":"1\/2","unit":"medium","name":"red onion","notes":"finely diced; about 1 cup","link":{"url":"","nofollow":"default"},"unit_id":9462,"id":3153,"type":"ingredient","unit_systems":{"unit-system-1":{"amount":"1\/2","unit":"medium","unitParsed":"medium","unit_connector":"","unit_connector_spacing":"space-both","unit_connector_pluralizes_ingredient":true}}},{"uid":2,"amount":"1","unit":"","name":"rib celery","notes":"finely diced; 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