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Creamy Southern Macaroni Salad Recipe with Sweet Pickles Easy and Delicious

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A creamy southern macaroni salad featuring sweet pickles for a tangy-sweet brightness that balances the rich mayo dressing. Perfect for gatherings and easy to prepare.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces elbow macaroni pasta, cooked al dente
  • 3/4 cup mayonnaise (preferably full-fat)
  • 1/2 cup sweet pickles, chopped (bread-and-butter pickles recommended)
  • 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
  • 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1/2 cup celery, finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced (optional)
  • 2 large hard-boiled eggs, chopped
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Optional: pinch of smoked paprika or a few dashes of hot sauce

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces of elbow macaroni and cook for 7 to 8 minutes until just al dente. Avoid overcooking.
  2. Drain the pasta in a colander and rinse under cold water immediately to stop cooking and cool it down. Shake off excess water and transfer to a large mixing bowl.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together 3/4 cup mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon yellow mustard, 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar, and 1 tablespoon sugar until smooth and well combined.
  4. Finely dice 1/2 cup sweet pickles, 1/2 cup celery, 1/4 cup red onion (optional), and chop 2 hard-boiled eggs.
  5. Add the chopped veggies and eggs to the bowl with macaroni. Pour the dressing over and fold gently with a spatula or wooden spoon until everything is evenly coated.
  6. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Add smoked paprika or hot sauce if desired.
  7. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving to let flavors meld.

Notes

Do not overcook the pasta to keep it al dente. Rinse pasta with cold water immediately after cooking to stop cooking and prevent sogginess. Use crunchy sweet bread-and-butter pickles for best flavor. Fold ingredients gently to avoid breaking macaroni. Adjust seasoning after chilling. For a lighter version, substitute some mayo with Greek yogurt. For gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta. Salad tastes better after resting overnight. Avoid freezing as mayo-based dressing can separate.

Nutrition

Keywords: macaroni salad, southern macaroni salad, sweet pickles, creamy salad, picnic recipe, easy side dish, summer salad

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