Carolina Macaroni Salad

Creamy, tangy, and packed with fresh crunch, Carolina Macaroni Salad is a Southern-inspired side dish that’s perfect for picnics, cookouts, or family gatherings. This vibrant recipe combines tender elbow macaroni with a medley of diced celery, red onion, shredded carrots, and green bell pepper, creating a delightful blend of textures. A creamy dressing made from mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, and a touch of sugar adds a tangy sweetness that complements the hearty addition of chopped hard-boiled eggs. Garnished with a dusting of paprika, this chilled salad is a true crowd-pleaser, offering a refreshing twist on classic macaroni salad. Prepare ahead of time to let the flavors meld, and serve it cold for the ultimate warm-weather side dish.

Nutriscore Rating: 62/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 cups elbow macaroni
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 2 celery stalks (finely diced)
• 0.5 small red onion (finely diced)
• 0.5 cup shredded carrots
• 0.5 green bell pepper (finely diced)
• 2 hard-boiled eggs (chopped)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.5 teaspoon paprika (for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Cook the elbow macaroni according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water to cool the pasta and remove excess starch. Set aside.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, and granulated sugar until smooth and well combined.

Step 3

Add the diced celery, red onion, shredded carrots, green bell pepper, and chopped hard-boiled eggs to the bowl. Stir to evenly coat the vegetables with the dressing.

Step 4

Fold the cooled macaroni into the mixture, making sure all the pasta is well coated with the dressing.

Step 5

Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Adjust the tanginess or sweetness by adding a little more vinegar or sugar, if desired.

Step 6

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or transfer the salad to an airtight container. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld.

Step 7

Before serving, lightly stir the salad to re-distribute the dressing. Sprinkle with paprika for garnish and serve cold.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(958.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2878.6

Total Fat 190.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 19.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat g
Cholesterol 607.3mg	0%
Sodium 3586.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 245.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 14.9g	0%
Total Sugars 42.7g
Protein 44.3g	0%

Vitamin D 88IU	0%
Calcium 171.7mg	0%
Iron 10.2mg	0%
Potassium 994.0mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 59.7%

Protein: 6.2%

Carbs: 34.1%