Creamy Macaroni Salad with Celery, Pickles and Hard-Boiled Eggs
In short: Soft elbow macaroni in a tangy mayonnaise and yogurt dressing with celery, dill pickles, red pepper and chopped egg. A picnic and barbecue favorite. It takes about 37 min in total and makes 8 servings.
- Prep
- 25 min
- Cook
- 12 min
- Resting
- 1 h
- Total
- 37 min
- Servings
- 8
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 410 kcal
Macaroni salad is a picnic and barbecue fixture in many countries: soft elbow pasta in a tangy, creamy dressing with crunchy celery, pickles and chopped egg. Getting it right is mostly about seasoning the pasta water well and cooling the pasta before dressing it. The yogurt lightens the mayonnaise without tasting of yogurt. Make it a few hours ahead, because it improves as the pasta settles into the dressing.
Instructions
- Lower the eggs into a pan of boiling water and cook for 10 minutes. Cool them in a bowl of ice water for 5 minutes, then peel and chop.
- Cook the macaroni in a large pot of well-salted boiling water for 1 minute longer than the packet says, so it is quite soft. Drain, rinse under cold water until fully cool and shake dry.
- In a large bowl, stir together the mayonnaise, yogurt, vinegar, mustard, sugar, salt and pepper until smooth.
- Add the cooled macaroni to the dressing and toss until coated.
- Fold in the eggs, celery, red onion, pickles, red pepper and parsley.
- Cover and chill for at least 1 hour. Loosen with a spoonful of yogurt or a splash of milk if the salad looks dry, then sprinkle with paprika and serve cold.
Tips
- Cook the macaroni slightly past al dente, because firm pasta turns hard in the fridge. Rinse it well so it does not clump.
- Cooked peas or sweet corn are good additions. Chives in place of red onion give a milder flavor.
Questions and answers
How long does macaroni salad last?
It keeps for 3 to 4 days in a covered container in the fridge. Keep it chilled when serving outdoors and do not leave it out for more than 2 hours.
Why does macaroni salad get dry?
The pasta keeps absorbing the dressing as it sits. Stir in a spoonful of mayonnaise, yogurt or milk before serving to bring back the creamy texture.
Can I leave out the hard-boiled eggs?
Yes. Add extra celery, peas or diced cheddar instead. The dressing stays the same.
How long does it take to make Creamy Macaroni Salad with Celery, Pickles and Hard-Boiled Eggs?
About 37 min in total: 25 min of preparation and 12 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Creamy Macaroni Salad with Celery, Pickles and Hard-Boiled Eggs?
About 410 kcal per serving, with 11 g of protein, 40 g of carbohydrates and 23 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 410 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 11 g |
| Carbohydrates | 40 g |
| Fat | 23 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 3 g |
| Sodium | 555 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
