Description
Looking for a creamy, classic, and crowd-pleasing side dish? This Dolly Parton’s Macaroni Salad is the comfort food icon you didn’t know you needed. Packed with tender elbow pasta, a tangy-sweet dressing, and crunchy vegetables, this dish is perfect for cookouts, picnics, and lunchboxes. Whether you’re meal prepping or feeding a crowd, this easy recipe is a delicious win every time. Great for fans of quick meals, healthy sides, and classic American food ideas. Add it to your summer party menu, or enjoy it as a no-fuss, cold pasta lunch.
Ingredients
2 cups elbow macaroni, uncooked
1 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon sugar
2 stalks celery, diced
1 green bell pepper, diced
1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
1. Cook elbow macaroni in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water.
2. Dice celery, green bell pepper, and red onion into small uniform pieces.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, and sugar. Add salt and pepper to taste.
4. Add the cooked and cooled pasta along with the diced vegetables to the bowl. Mix until everything is evenly coated.
5. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours before serving.
6. Stir gently before serving and garnish with a sprinkle of black pepper or paprika if desired.
Notes
Make sure the pasta is fully cooled before adding the dressing to prevent separation.
For extra flavor, refrigerate overnight before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 290mg
- Fat: 21g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 12mg