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Creamy Southern Macaroni Salad Recipe Easy Tangy Pickle Twist

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A creamy Southern macaroni salad with a tangy pickle twist that offers a perfect balance of creamy, crunchy, and tangy flavors. This easy and quick recipe is a crowd-pleaser perfect for summer cookouts and casual gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups (about 200g) dry elbow macaroni
  • 1 cup (240ml) mayonnaise (Duke’s or Hellmann’s preferred)
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped sweet pickles (bread-and-butter pickles recommended)
  • 1/2 cup diced celery
  • 1/4 cup minced mild red onion
  • 2 large hard-boiled eggs, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon mustard (yellow or Dijon)
  • 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 2 cups (200g) elbow macaroni and cook for 7-8 minutes until al dente. Drain in a colander and rinse under cold water immediately to stop cooking and cool the pasta. Set aside to drain well for about 10 minutes.
  2. While pasta cools, finely chop 1/2 cup sweet pickles, 1/2 cup celery, 1/4 cup red onion, and 2 hard-boiled eggs.
  3. In a large bowl, whisk together 1 cup mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, 1 teaspoon mustard, 1 teaspoon sugar, 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika, plus salt and black pepper to taste.
  4. Add cooled macaroni and chopped mix-ins to the dressing. Gently fold with a spatula until everything is evenly coated. Avoid overmixing to keep noodles intact.
  5. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, ideally overnight. Before serving, stir gently and adjust seasoning if needed.

Notes

Rinse pasta under cold water to prevent mushiness. Dry mix-ins well to avoid watering down the dressing. Use room-temperature eggs and mayo for best dressing texture. Chill at least 2 hours for flavors to meld; longer chilling improves taste. Adjust seasoning gradually. Optional smoked paprika adds warmth and color. For lighter version, substitute half mayo with Greek yogurt. Vegan version uses vegan mayo and omits eggs.

Nutrition

Keywords: macaroni salad, creamy macaroni salad, Southern macaroni salad, tangy pickle salad, picnic side dish, barbecue side, easy macaroni salad

Find it online: https://atomicbite.com/creamy-southern-macaroni-salad-recipe-easy-tangy-pickle-twist/