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Dolly Parton’s Macaroni Salad

A creamy and vibrant macaroni salad featuring fresh vegetables, perfect for summer picnics and family gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups elbow macaroni
  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
  • 1 cup celery, diced
  • 1 cup green bell pepper, diced
  • 1 cup red bell pepper, diced
  • 1/2 cup red onion, finely diced
  • 1/3 cup sweet pickle relish
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 large hard-boiled eggs, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 tablespoon fresh herbs (like parsley or dill)

Instructions

  1. Boil and drain the pasta: Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a rolling boil. Add elbow macaroni and a pinch of salt, cooking until al dente, about 7 to 8 minutes. Once cooked, drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process.
  2. Prep the veggies: While the pasta cools, finely chop the celery, green bell pepper, red bell pepper, and red onion.
  3. Combine ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, throw in the cooled macaroni, alongside your chopped vegetables and diced hard-boiled eggs.
  4. Make the dressing: In a separate bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, yellow mustard, salt, black pepper, and paprika until smooth and creamy.
  5. Mix the salad: Pour the dressing over your macaroni and veggie mixture. Gently fold to ensure every piece gets coated in that luscious dressing without breaking the pasta.
  6. Add the finishing touches: Stir in the sweet pickle relish and freshly chopped herbs for an extra layer of flavor and complexity.
  7. Chill and serve: Cover the bowl and let it chill in the refrigerator for at least one hour.

Notes

This macaroni salad shines when made a day ahead! Perfect for customizing with proteins or extra veggies.

Nutrition

Keywords: macaroni salad, summer salad, picnic dish, Dolly Parton recipe, creamy salad