Chef John's Classic Macaroni Salad

Name: Easiest Way to Make Creamy Pasta Best Pasta Salad Recipes
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 8 min
Total time: 4 h 33 min
Yield: 12 servings

I love this creamy pasta salad recipe as a dish to bring to gatherings and potlucks because it keeps well and is a good alternative to the usual this easy shrimp pasta salad is packed with so much flavor.

Bacon Pea Creamy Pasta Salad With Lemon Parmesan Dressing

Recipe Summary Chef John's Classic Macaroni Salad

Whether it's sitting next to some smoky ribs or just a humble hot dog, this deli-style macaroni salad will always be a crowd favorite, as long as you pay attention to a few key details.

Ingredients | Creamy Pasta Best Pasta Salad Recipes

1 cup mayonnaise (Optional)

¼ cup white vinegar

2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

2 teaspoons kosher salt, or more to taste

½ teaspoon ground black pepper

⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper

1 tablespoon white sugar, or more to taste

1 cup finely diced celery

¾ cup diced red bell pepper

½ cup grated carrot

½ cup chopped green onions, white and light parts

¼ cup diced jalapeno pepper

¼ cup diced poblano pepper

1 (16 ounce) package uncooked elbow macaroni

1 tablespoon mayonnaise (Optional)

1 tablespoon water (Optional)

Directions

Whisk 1 cup mayonnaise, vinegar, Dijon mustard, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper together in a bowl until well blended; whisk in sugar. Stir in celery, red bell pepper, carrot, onions, and jalapeno and poblano peppers. Refrigerate until macaroni is ready to dress.

Bring a large pot of well salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until cooked through, 8 to 10 minutes. Drain but do not rinse. Allow macaroni to drain in a colander about 5 minutes, shaking out moisture from time to time. Pour macaroni into large bowl; toss to separate and cool to room temperature. Macaroni should be sticky.

Pour dressing over macaroni and stir until dressing is evenly distributed. Cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate at least 4 hours or, ideally, overnight to allow dressing to absorb into the macaroni.

Stir salad before serving. Mix 1 tablespoon mayonnaise and 1 tablespoon water into salad for fresher look.

You can use the tops of the green onions to chop up and use as a garnish.

Info | Creamy Pasta Best Pasta Salad Recipes

prep: 20 mins cook: 8 mins additional: 4 hrs 5 mins total: 4 hrs 33 mins Servings: 12 Yield: 12 servings

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