Mom’s Best Macaroni Salad Recipe
Mom’s Best Macaroni Salad is a creamy, tangy, and colorful side dish featuring tender elbow macaroni mixed with shredded carrots, chopped onions, bell peppers, and celery, all coated in a rich dressing made from mayonnaise, sweetened condensed milk, sugar, and vinegar. Perfect for picnics, barbecues, and family gatherings, this classic salad balances sweet and savory flavors with a crisp vegetable crunch.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 25 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Vegetables
- 16 ounces uncooked elbow macaroni
- 4 carrots, shredded
- 1 large red onion, chopped
- ½ green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
- ½ red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
- 1 cup chopped celery
Dressing
- 2 cups mayonnaise
- 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
- ½ cup white sugar
- ½ cup white vinegar
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the macaroni: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually about 7 to 8 minutes. Drain the macaroni and rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down.
- Prepare the vegetables: While the macaroni cooks, shred the carrots, chop the red onion, seed and chop both the green and red bell peppers, and chop the celery. Ensure all the vegetables are roughly the same size for even texture and appearance.
- Make the dressing: In a large mixing bowl, combine the mayonnaise, sweetened condensed milk, white sugar, and white vinegar. Whisk together until smooth and fully blended. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Combine ingredients: Add the cooled macaroni and chopped vegetables into the bowl with the dressing. Gently toss everything together until the macaroni and vegetables are thoroughly coated with the dressing.
- Chill and serve: Cover the macaroni salad and refrigerate it for at least 2 hours to allow the flavors to meld together and the salad to chill properly. Before serving, taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
Notes
- For best texture, rinse cooked macaroni well under cold water to prevent it from becoming mushy.
- Adjust sugar and vinegar amounts to balance sweetness and tanginess to your preference.
- Can be prepared a day in advance and stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- Add chopped hard-boiled eggs or diced ham for variation and extra protein.
- Serve chilled as a side dish with grilled meats or sandwiches.
Keywords: macaroni salad, picnic salad, side dish, creamy pasta salad, summer salad
Find it online: https://mjrecipe.com/moms-best-macaroni-salad-recipe/