Sides
Creamy Southern Macaroni Salad
Tender elbow macaroni tossed in a sweet-tangy mayo dressing with bell peppers, hard-boiled eggs, and a hint of sugar makes the perfect potluck side.
This is the salad that shows up at every fish fry and family reunion, sitting next to the potato salad in a matching Tupperware. It's a little sweet, a little tangy, and always disappears before the coleslaw does. Make it the morning of and let it chill so the noodles really soak in that dressing.
Ingredients
- 1 lb elbow macaroni
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp sweet pickle relish
- 1 tbsp yellow mustard
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 red bell pepper, finely diced
- 1 green bell pepper, finely diced
- 3 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
- 3 green onions, sliced
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Paprika for garnish
Instructions
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1
Cook the pastaBoil the macaroni in salted water according to package directions until just tender, then drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking.
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2
Make the dressingWhisk together the mayonnaise, relish, mustard, sugar, and vinegar in a large bowl until smooth.
-
3
Add the mix-insFold in the bell peppers, chopped eggs, and green onions along with the cooled macaroni.
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4
SeasonSeason with salt and black pepper, tasting and adjusting the sweetness or tang as needed.
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5
ChillCover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour so the flavors meld and the dressing thickens slightly.
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6
ServeGive it a final stir, sprinkle with paprika, and serve cold.
Okra & Oak Tip
Rinsing the cooked macaroni under cold water stops it from turning mushy and keeps the salad from becoming gluey.
Storage
Refrigerate in an airtight container up to 4 days, stirring in a spoonful of mayonnaise if it dries out.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, diced ham or cooked shrimp are both popular additions that turn this side into more of a main dish.
Pasta continues to absorb the dressing as it sits, so stir in a little extra mayonnaise before serving to loosen it back up.
Nutrition
Per serving. Values are estimates.
350
Calories
8g
Protein
40g
Carbs
17g
Fat
