Foodmomiac's Macaroni Salad

I have never been a huge fan of macaroni salad. It's usually gloppy and overly sweet, and just... blah. But, there's something really appealing about a macaroni salad. I love elbow macaroni, and I love mayo-based salads, so I always knew that I could probably rescue this dish.

After doing some online research and some in-kitchen tinkering, I think we have a winner. This is based off of a recipe I found on All Recipes, but the additions and changes make it my own. Enjoy! (Note: this makes 10 VERY generous servings, so make sure you have plenty of guests, or are ready to eat macaroni salad every day for a week.)

Foodmomiac's Macaroni Salad

1 box elbow macaroni
1 cup mayonnaise
1/4 apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup turbinado sugar
2-1/2 tablespoons yellow mustard
1-1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 sweet white onion, cut into 3-4 big chunks
2 stalks celery, cut into 3-4 big chunks
2 carrots, cut into 3-4 big chunks (you can use a handful of baby carrots if that's all you have on hand)
3 hard boiled eggs, diced
2 dill pickles, diced

Cook macaroni for eight minutes. Drain, rinse in cold water and set aside.

Mix together the mayo, vinegar, sugar, mustard, salt and pepper in a large bowl.

In a food processor, mince the onion, celery and carrots. (You can also just dice these finely on your own, but the food processor does a great job and is super fast.)

Add the veggies to the sauce in the bowl, along with the macaroni, eggs and pickles. Mix to combine, cover, and refrigerate for at least two hours (overnight is fine, and probably preferable!)

Comments

[Lauren]

What is turbinado sugar? Can I leave out the egg?

[foodmomiac]

Turbinado sugar is the generic name for Sugar in the Raw - that brown sugar they have at Starbucks and other coffee places. I almost always use it in place of white sugar - it works exactly the same, but is less processed. I think it has a better flavor as well. And, yes, the egg is totally optional.

[Motherhooduncensored]

God, I'm a sucker for macaroni salad, even though most of the store bought ones taste like, um, well you know. (Can I curse on your pretty site?).

I will have to try this.

[kyoot]

That's the first time I've ever seen sugar in a mac salad. I usually just fudge it and throw whatever we have in with the mac. I'll have to try it when I've got enough peeps

[Sarah, Goon Squad Sarah]

Sold. It looks good.

Crap. Now I am craving macaroni salad and I'm not even pregnant.

[EAT!]

My daughter loves macaroni salad and proclaimed that the elbow is her favorite shape of pasta.

I like to have a bowl of some sort of salad in my refrigerator - today's recipe - yours!

Thanks!!

[Jaden]

I can't remember last time I had a good home made macaroni salad! Great picnic food.

[Lori]

Sounds good. My family has always made our dressing for macaroni and potato salad with mayo, apple cider vinegar and sugar.

[Lauren]

You're not kidding, this makes A LOT. Turned out great, though. Next time I'll use more pickle, and maybe add olives.

[Jill]

Yum!! That sounds awesome!Why turbinado sugar, if I may ask?

[Craig Horwitz]

Mayo has no business in being in any kind of "salad." The Avocado can be a great and healthy subsitute filler. Also lemon juice and olive oil can go a long way as detailed in this post:

http://www.holdthatmayo.com/blog/_archives/2009/6/30/4240910.html

All the best,

Craig Horwitz

[The Crazy Suburban Mom]

Followed the corned beef post and, this I really want to make. Although I do like some mayo in macaroni salad the key word is some - and this really looks very very good. Suppose I can always add some.

Thanks for the link over from corned beef or I never would have found it.

Tracy