Creamy Egg Macaroni Salad
This Creamy Egg Macaroni Salad is a classic comfort side dish, featuring tender macaroni, chopped hard-boiled eggs, crisp veggies, and a tangy, silky mayo dressing. Perfect for barbecues, lunches, or make-ahead meals.
Equipment
- large pot for cooking macaroni
- saucepan for boiling eggs
- large mixing bowl for combining salad ingredients
- whisk for blending the dressing
- spatula for folding ingredients together
Ingredients
- 2 cups elbow macaroni (uncooked)
- 4 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
- 1/2 cup diced celery
- 1/4 cup diced red onion
- 1/4 cup diced dill pickles or relish
- 1/2 cup shredded carrot
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- 3/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp apple cider vinegar or lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp sugar
- 1/4 tsp paprika
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add macaroni and cook until al dente, about 7–8 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water. Let cool completely.
- Place eggs in a saucepan, cover with water. Bring to a boil, turn off heat, cover, and let sit for 10 minutes. Transfer to ice water, peel, and chop finely.
- In a large bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, vinegar or lemon juice, sugar, paprika, salt, and pepper until smooth and creamy.
- Add cooled macaroni, eggs, celery, onion, carrot, pickles, and parsley to the dressing. Fold gently to combine and coat all ingredients evenly.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Stir before serving. Garnish with extra parsley or paprika if desired.
Notes
Make ahead and chill for at least 1 hour before serving. You can add more mayo or a splash of milk before serving if it thickens too much in the fridge. For a flavor boost, stir in fresh dill or a dash of cayenne. Avoid overcooking pasta — al dente is best so it holds its shape once dressed.
Nutrition
Calories: 320kcalCarbohydrates: 28gProtein: 10gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 120mgSodium: 420mgPotassium: 210mgFiber: 2gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 1800IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 40mgIron: 2mg