Classic Macaroni Salad Recipe (with Video)

I only used 1/4 cup of sugar, which was more than enough. I also included a generous amount of paprika and garlic powder. I highly suggest adding diced pimentos as they provide a delicious burst of flavor and vibrant color. Make sure to refrigerate overnight; it tastes even better the next day.

I absolutely adore this dressing - it's a perfect blend of sweetness, tanginess from the vinegar, and a hint of mustard that all come together so harmoniously. While I didn't enjoy it with macaroni, I believe this dressing would excel drizzled over potatoes for a delicious potato salad. I learned from my mistake and will reduce the vinegar next time to prevent the dressing from becoming too runny. Update: I gave the dressing another try with potatoes, and it was truly divine! I simply reduced the sugar by half, and the result was mouth-watering. (Just a tip - the sweetness mellows out after a day.)

The classic nature of this recipe is its defining feature. No frills, no additional flavors, just a timeless recipe that will appeal to everyone. I believe it's perfect as it is, while also serving as a great canvas for incorporating your own twists. I've gathered some helpful tips from my own experience and other reviews - some have mentioned the dressing being too runny or too sweet, or having an overpowering onion taste, or lacking chopped egg. In my experience, the dressing tends to thicken up nicely in the fridge overnight. If serving sooner, consider adding the dressing gradually to control the consistency. Adding a bit of dressing just before serving can give it a fresh touch. Adjusting the sugar amount may be necessary depending on the type of vinegar and mayo used. Finely chopping the onion can help blend it in better, especially if you're not a fan of chunky onion pieces. Adding chopped egg or other ingredients like cheese, shrimp, or veggies is a great way to personalize this classic recipe. However, sticking to the original recipe will still result in a delicious and classic macaroni salad.

I had the task of preparing macaroni salad for 125 teenage girls during a retreat, so I decided to use this recipe and multiplied it by 12. The salad was a major hit, which speaks volumes considering how choosy teenage girls can be. I've been on the hunt for a top-notch macaroni salad recipe ever since I tried one at a fantastic Hawaiian restaurant years ago. None have quite hit the mark until now. This recipe is a standout. The only modification I made was skipping the noodle rinsing step and adding the vinegar right after draining, following the advice of Cooks Illustrated for making mac salad.

This has been my go-to macaroni salad recipe for years, with a few personal tweaks. I skip the sugar and vinegar and opt for 2 tablespoons of sweet pickle relish instead. Grated carrots don't stand out, but red bell peppers not only add a vibrant color but also enhance the taste better than pimentos.

I found it quite good! I rated it 4 stars as I made a few adjustments; I decreased the sugar to 2 tbsp and included a 1/4 cup of sweet relish. I opted for cider vinegar instead of white for a sharper taste. Additionally, I don't rinse pasta before mixing it in. I prepared the elbows the day before, letting them chill overnight with some pasta water. I'm currently letting it chill overnight to determine if any further adjustments are required. 😊

Here is a revised version of your review: I found three key pieces of advice from the reviewers' suggestions that led to my success with this recipe. Firstly, the video recommended using chopped roasted red peppers instead of pimentos. Secondly, I reduced the sugar to 1/3 cup as advised. Lastly, when preparing in advance, adding a bit more dressing before serving enhanced the creaminess and appearance of the dish – around 1/4 of the dressing recipe was perfect.

Used less than one-third cup of sugar.

After reading the reviews, I decided to reduce the amount of sugar and substituted white wine vinegar for distilled vinegar since I didn't have any on hand. The result was an outstanding classic macaroni salad. I also included pimentos, which I highly recommend!

I halved the sugar and it was just the right level of sweetness. I also used Vidalia onion. No leftovers at all :)