Old Fashioned Macaroni Salad

Over head view of macaroni salad with a spoon in it for the feature image.

Old fashioned macaroni salad is a great side dish that's so easy. You can even make it a few days ahead - it's best if it sits overnight. Keep this cold - if you are at a picnic or potluck either keep it chilled or eat it quickly and put leftovers in an ice chest.

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American - Vintage

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 15

Chilling Time 2

Total Time 2 25

Servings generous servings

Calories 517kcal

Author Marye Audet-White

Equipment

mixing bowl

Ingredients

1 pound dried elbow macaroni uncooked small elbows or shells
2 cups mayonnaise
¼ cup cider vinegar
2 tablespoons mustard plain yellow prepared
2 tablespoons sugar more or less to taste
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper more to taste
2 cups celery celery - thinly sliced
1 cup red bell pepper seeded and chopped
½ cup onion peeled and chopped
¼ cup carrot grated
1 cup salad olives with pimentos drained

Instructions

Step one

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
Pour in elbow macaroni and cook until very tender.
Drain completely but don't rinse.
Stir a little mayonnaise into the macaroni to keep it from sticking.
Cool completely.

Step two

Combine mayonnaise, mustard, vinegar, salt, pepper, and sugar in a small bowl and mix well. Taste and adjust seasoning and sweetness.
Put the cooled macaroni, celery, carrot, onion, peppers, and olives in a large bowl.
Pour mayonnaise mixture over and stir gently to combine.
Cover with plastic wrap and chill overnight if time permits.
Add a little more dressing if necessary before serving
Store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days - keep chilled if you are bringing it to a cookout or picnic.

Notes

Storage:

Refrigerate up to 5 days in an airtight container or covered with plastic wrap. If it's been out for more than 2 hours, or is warm to the touch throw it out.

Tips:

Slightly overcook your pasta. I know the directions say not to overcook it but trust me on this. I once asked Mom why her macaroni salad was better than mine and she said (and I quote) "You have to cook the snot out of it darlin'". So there's that.
Drain the pasta but don't rinse it. Mix about ¼ cup of plain mayonnaise with the macaroni to coat it and keep it from sticking.
Let it cool before adding the dressing and vegetables! If you add your vegetables to the hot macaroni they'll lose their crispness.
This is fantastic for potlucks and cookouts but you MUST keep it cold. The easiest way is to fill a big bowl with ice and keep the bowl of macaroni salad in the bowl of ice.

Nutrition