Best Macaroni Salad

Name: Best Macaroni Salad
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 & 1/2 cups dry elbow macaroni*; 1 tablespoon salt (for the boiling water); 4 eggs (hard boiled); 1 & 1/2 cups mayonnaise; 1/3 cup granulated sugar; 3 tablespoons yellow mustard; 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar; 2 teaspoons kosher salt; 1/2 teaspoon black pepper; 1/4 teaspoon celery seed; 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional); 1 tablespoon or more to taste sweet pickle relish; 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice; 1 (4-oz) jar pimientos, drained; 2-3 medium carrots (peeled and shredded); 1/2 green bell pepper (chopped very small); 2 stalks celery (chopped very small); 2 tablespoons red onion (chopped small); 2 tablespoons yellow onion (chopped small); 1-2 tablespoons fresh dill (chopped); 1 tablespoons chives (chopped); a little more mayonnaise (for after chilling)

Instructions

Prep:30minCook:10min

This is the only Macaroni Salad recipe you will ever need! The secret to the best macaroni salad is a perfectly sweet and tangy dressing, not overcooking the macaroni, and chopping the veggies into small pieces so they don’t take over the pasta. Oh, and plenty of hard-boiled eggs! They are the best, right?

Updated at: Mon, 15 Dec 2025 08:29:58 GMT