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Creamy Southern Macaroni Salad Recipe Easy Pickles and Eggs Twist

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A creamy southern macaroni salad featuring hard-boiled eggs and pickles for a tangy twist. Perfect for summer gatherings and easy to prepare in about 30 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups (8 ounces/225g) elbow macaroni, cooked al dente
  • 3 large hard-boiled eggs, peeled and chopped
  • ½ cup dill or sweet pickles, chopped finely
  • ½ cup celery, finely diced
  • ¼ cup red onion, minced (optional)
  • ¾ cup mayonnaise (Duke’s or Hellmann’s recommended)
  • 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • Pinch of smoked paprika or cayenne (optional)
  • Optional: chopped fresh parsley or dill for garnish

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 2 cups (8 oz/225g) elbow macaroni and cook according to package instructions until just al dente, about 7-8 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking. Set aside to cool completely (about 15 minutes).
  2. Place 3 large eggs in a saucepan and cover with cold water. Bring to a rolling boil, then cover and remove from heat. Let sit for 10-12 minutes. Drain and transfer eggs to an ice bath for 5 minutes. Peel and chop roughly.
  3. Dice ½ cup celery, ¼ cup red onion (optional), and ½ cup pickles finely.
  4. In a large mixing bowl, combine ¾ cup mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon yellow mustard, 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, and 1 teaspoon sugar. Whisk until smooth. Season with salt, pepper, and optional smoked paprika or cayenne.
  5. Add cooled macaroni, chopped eggs, celery, onion, and pickles to the dressing. Gently fold until evenly coated, being careful not to mash the eggs.
  6. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to let flavors meld.
  7. Before serving, gently stir and adjust seasoning if needed.

Notes

Do not overcook the pasta to avoid mushiness. Rinse pasta under cold water immediately after draining. Use an ice bath for eggs to ease peeling and prevent green yolk rings. Chill salad for at least 1 hour for best flavor. May substitute half mayonnaise with Greek yogurt for a lighter version. Optional smoked paprika or cayenne adds subtle heat.

Nutrition

Keywords: macaroni salad, southern macaroni salad, creamy macaroni salad, pickles, hard-boiled eggs, picnic salad, barbecue side dish

Find it online: https://sofiaspice.com/creamy-southern-macaroni-salad-recipe-easy-pickles-and-eggs-twist/