This classic southern macaroni salad has the BEST macaroni salad dressing that pairs perfectly with the crispy raw veggies and tender pasta. Serve it as a refreshing chilled side dish alongside your favorite backyard party main dishes like grilled chicken and hot dogs.
PREP TIME 15 minutesminutes
Chilling Time 1 hourhour
COOK TIME 9 minutesminutes
TOTAL TIME 1 hourhour24 minutesminutes
YIELD 10servings
Ingredients
For the Macaroni Salad
16ozditalini pastaor elbow macaroni
1/2red onionfinely diced, could use a sweet Vidalia onion as an alternative
1small red bell pepperfinely diced
3stalks celeryfinely diced
4sweet gherkinsfinely diced, may substitute pickle relish
2 - 4hard boiled eggsfinely diced
For the Macaroni Salad Dressing
1cupmayonnaiseor Miracle Whip
1/4cupsour cream
2tbsppickle juice
1tbspred wine vinegar
1tbsp sugar
1tbsp Dijon mustard
1sprinklegarlic salt
1sprinklecelery seed
1pinchkosher salt
1pinchblack pepper
Instructions
Prepare the Macaroni Salad
Boil the ditalini pasta according to the package directions. For best results, set the timer for 30 seconds less than the lowest time listed on the package. This will ensure you have al dente pasta that can hold up to the salad dressing without becoming mushy.
Drain the pasta and immediately rinse in cold water.
Meanwhile, finely dice the red onion and place it in a cup of ice water while you prepare the rest of the salad. This takes the "sting" out of the onion and helps to reduce heart burn.
Add the diced red pepper, celery, gherkins, and hard boiled eggs to a large mixing bowl. Strain the red onions and add them to the bowl. Add the cooked pasta and stir everything together.
Prepare the Macaroni Salad Dressing
In a medium mixing bowl, add the mayonnaise or Miracle Whip, sour cream, pickle juice, red wine vinegar, sugar, and Dijon mustard. Give a gentle shake of the garlic salt and a light shake of the celery seed. Add a pinch of salt and pepper and whisk everything together. Taste and adjust the seasonings as needed.
Pour the dressing over the macaroni salad and gently toss to combine.
Chill the macaroni salad in a covered container in the fridge for one hour and serve cold. The side dish can be made ahead with 24 hours of serving. Just stir to combine again before serving.