Description

Dolly Parton’s Macaroni Salad is a creamy, tangy pasta salad featuring elbow macaroni tossed in a flavorful dressing made with mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, and a touch of sugar. Crisp vegetables like celery, green bell pepper, and red onion add crunch, while sweet pickle relish provides a hint of sweetness. This classic side dish is perfect for picnics, barbecues, and family gatherings, best served chilled after allowing the flavors to meld.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

2 cups elbow macaroni (uncooked)

Dressing

1 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
2 teaspoons sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Vegetables

1/2 cup chopped celery
1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper
1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
1/3 cup sweet pickle relish (or chopped sweet pickles)

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Instructions

Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Drain the pasta and rinse it under cold water to cool completely.
Prepare Vegetables: While the pasta cools, finely chop the celery, green bell pepper, red onion, and sweet pickles or relish.
Make Dressing: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, sugar, salt, and black pepper until the dressing is smooth and well combined.
Toss Salad: Add the cooled macaroni to the bowl with the dressing and fold gently to coat all the pasta evenly. Mix in the chopped vegetables and relish thoroughly.
Chill and Serve: Taste the salad and adjust the seasoning if needed. Cover the bowl and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour or overnight to allow the flavors to meld. Stir the salad again just before serving.

Notes

For best flavor, refrigerate the salad overnight to let the ingredients meld.
Use sweet pickle relish or finely chopped sweet pickles, depending on preference.
Be sure to rinse the pasta under cold water after cooking to stop the cooking process and help the salad stay cool and refreshing.
You can substitute mayonnaise with a light or vegan mayo for a lighter or dairy-free version.
Add hard-boiled eggs or cooked bacon bits for a protein boost if desired.