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Classic macaroni salad recipe, creamy and delicious side dish.

Best Macaroni Salad Recipe: Your New Potluck Favorite

This macaroni salad offers a vibrant twist on the classic, blending the comforting simplicity you love with fresh dill, lemon, and a lighter, tangier dressing made with Greek yogurt. Perfect for any gathering, it's easy to make and guaranteed to be your new go-to side.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 30 minutes
Servings: 10 servings
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 342
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 3 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
  • 1/2 medium red onion, finely diced
  • 1 rib celery, finely diced
  • 1/2 green bell pepper, finely diced
  • 1 cup mayo like Duke's
  • 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
  • 3 tablespoons white vinegar
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 teaspoons white sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh dill
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1/2 cup Greek yogurt full-fat or 2% for best creaminess

Equipment

  • small saucepan
  • Medium-sized bowl
  • Large mixing bowl
  • Airtight container

Method
 

Cook the Macaroni to Perfection
  1. Cook the elbow macaroni according to package directions, but be sure to use generously salted water. Salting the pasta water is crucial for flavoring the pasta from the inside out! Aim for al dente—firm to the bite—as the pasta will soften slightly as it absorbs the dressing. Once cooked, drain the macaroni thoroughly and immediately rinse it under cool running water until it's completely cooled. This "shocks" the pasta, stopping the cooking process and preventing the macaroni from sticking together, ensuring a beautifully loose and separated texture.
Whisk Together the Tangy Dressing
  1. In a medium-sized bowl, combine the mayo, Greek yogurt, yellow mustard, white vinegar, black pepper, white sugar, salt, granulated garlic, and onion powder. Whisk these ingredients together until the dressing is smooth, creamy, and wonderfully tangy. Now, fold in your finely diced red onion, celery, and green bell pepper. These crisp vegetables add a lovely crunch and visual appeal to every bite. Finally, stir in the finely chopped fresh dill and fresh lemon juice. Take a moment to appreciate that incredible aroma!
Combine and Chill for Flavor
  1. In a large mixing bowl, add the cooled, drained pasta. Pour about half of the prepared dressing over the pasta and gently toss to coat all the macaroni evenly. The pasta will begin to absorb the dressing, becoming richer and more flavorful. Cover the bowl tightly and refrigerate both the pasta mixture and the remaining dressing for at least 2 hours. This chilling time is essential, allowing the flavors to meld and deepen, transforming individual ingredients into a harmonious whole.
Serve and Savor
  1. When you're ready to serve, retrieve both the pasta and the remaining dressing from the refrigerator. Add the rest of the dressing to the pasta and toss again to ensure every strand is perfectly coated and the salad regains its creamy texture. Taste the salad at this point and adjust the seasoning as needed with additional salt and pepper. Serve chilled and enjoy the compliments!

Notes

For optimal flavor, chill the salad at least 2 hours, ideally 4-6 hours. Rinse cooked macaroni in cold water to prevent stickiness. Prevent drying by using a two-stage dressing method: half initially, rest before serving. Mellow red onion by soaking it. Taste and adjust seasoning before serving. Freezing is not recommended.
Nutrition information is estimated based on common ingredients and serving sizes and may vary.