You’re going to want the macaroni to be coated in dressing so make sure the pasta can hold it’s shape and not get mushy. Nobody likes soggy pasta! You want your macaroni al dente so make sure to boil it for no more than 9 minutes. Tips & Tricks For the Best Macaroni Saladįor the best macaroni salad to enjoy as a side dish or on it’s own, follow these tips and tricks! Ground black pepper – Freshly ground black pepper always has better flavor!.Salt – You can adjust the amount of salt you use.

Prepared mustard – You can use regular yellow mustard but if you want a stronger, tangier dressing, go for Dijon mustard.

Apple cider vinegar – Apple cider vinegar cuts through the richness of the dressing to create that perfect balance of creamy but slightly tangy.

If you want your dressing extra creamy, go for whole egg mayonnaise!

Mayonnaise – Mayo is what makes up most of the dressing so be sure to use good quality mayonnaise! If you want something slightly sweet, use regular mayonnaise.

Chopped onion – Red onion works best for this recipe but if it’s too strong for you, you can also use white onion.

Chopped red bell pepper – Red and green bell pepper tastes very similar but using both adds so much more color and flavor.

If you love the taste of bell peppers, chop them bigger for more bite!

Chopped green bell pepper – Just like celery, this will add a bit of crunch to your salad.

When buying celery, check that the leaves aren’t wilted and that they are a bright green color.

Chopped celery – Be sure to use celery that is fresh, firm, and crisp.Elbow macaroni (cooked and drained) – For perfectly cooked macaroni, make sure to bring your water to a boil first before adding the pasta.If you’re ready to make Grandma’s Macaroni Salad, gather up all your ingredients.

Old fashioned macaroni salad with egg