Description
This Grandma’s Macaroni Salad is a sweet, creamy, and nostalgic BBQ favorite. Packed with tender elbow macaroni, crunchy veggies, and a tangy-sweet dressing, it’s the perfect side dish for summer cookouts, picnics, and family gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni (about 8 oz / 225g)
- 2 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
- 1/2 cup diced celery
- 1/2 cup shredded carrot
- 1/4 cup finely diced red bell pepper
- 1/4 cup finely diced sweet onion
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Boil elbow macaroni in salted water until tender, about 8–10 minutes. Drain, rinse under cold water, and cool completely.
- Prepare the eggs: Boil eggs for 10–12 minutes, cool in ice water, peel, and chop.
- Prep veggies: Finely dice celery, bell pepper, and onion. Shred carrot.
- Make dressing: In a bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, mustard, salt, and pepper until smooth.
- Combine: In a large bowl, mix pasta, eggs, veggies, and dressing. Stir gently until well coated.
- Chill: Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours or overnight for best flavor.
- Serve: Stir before serving, garnish with paprika or parsley if desired.
Notes
- Chill overnight for the best flavor and texture.
- Use full-fat mayonnaise for creaminess.
- Cool pasta completely before mixing to prevent drying.
- Customize with peas, pickles, or extra protein like chicken or shrimp.
- Add more mayo before serving if the salad thickens in the fridge.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Side Dish, BBQ, Summer Recipes
- Method: Boiled, Mixed, Chilled
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: grandma's macaroni salad, sweet macaroni salad, BBQ macaroni salad, elbow pasta salad, summer side dishes