Macaroni Salad

also called elbow macaroni salad · deli macaroni salad · creamy pasta salad · mac salad

The table

1 1/4 cups(300 mL)mayonnaisewhisk the dressingfold in the crunchchill 2 hr, loosen with milk
3 Tbscider vinegar
1 Tbs(12 g)granulated sugar
1 Tbsyellow mustard
1 1/2 tspkosher salt
1/2 tspblack pepper
1 lb(450 g)elbow macaroniboil the macaroni 8 min, rinse cold
4 qt(3.8 L)water
1 Tbskosher salt
2 ribs(diced small)celery
1/2(diced small)red bell pepper
1 small(grated)carrot
1/4 small(grated)yellow onion
2 Tbswhole milk
Tap anything to cross it off.

What to lay out

Everything the recipe asks for, sitting under the step that eats it. Tick each one as you measure it.14 things to get out.

1whisk the dressing

2boil the macaroni 8 min, rinse cold

3fold in the crunch

goes in with what steps 1 and 2 made

4chill 2 hr, loosen with milk

goes in with what step 3 made

Cooking it

Tap a step when it is done; the next one lights up.

The clock

Start to finish
at least 2 hr 8 min2 of 4 steps give no time
Needs you
none given
If you get it wrong
Forgiving — pasta left to cool in its own water goes to mush, and no amount of dressing rescues it afterwards

  1. boil the macaroni 8 min, rinse cold

    8 minwalk awayfrom the start

  2. whisk the dressing

    not timedfrom the start

  3. fold in the crunch

    not timed8 min in

  4. chill 2 hr, loosen with milk

    2 hrwalk away8 min in

Goes with

See how it is written
>> title: Macaroni Salad
>> category: Salads
>> tags: pasta, mayonnaise, side, no-cook dressing, make-ahead
>> counters: Deli
>> aka: elbow macaroni salad, deli macaroni salad, creamy pasta salad, mac salad
>> pairs-with: mayonnaise, potato-salad, coleslaw
>> servings: 8
>> time: 2 hr 30 min
>> slack: forgiving — pasta left to cool in its own water goes to mush, and no amount of dressing rescues it afterwards

>> step: boil the macaroni 8 min, rinse cold
Boil @elbow macaroni{1%lb}(450 g) in @water{4%qt}(3.8 L) with @kosher salt{1%Tbs} and ~boil{8%min}, a minute past al dente, then rinse it cold.

>> step: whisk the dressing
Whisk @mayonnaise{1 1/4%cup}(300 mL), @cider vinegar{3%Tbs}, @granulated sugar{1%Tbs}(12 g), @yellow mustard{1%Tbs}, @kosher salt{1 1/2%tsp} and @black pepper{1/2%tsp} until it is looser than you think it should be.

>> step: fold in the crunch
Fold @&(~1)dressing{} through @&(~2)cooled macaroni{} with @celery{2%ribs}(diced small), @red bell pepper{1/2}(diced small), @carrot{1%small}(grated) and @yellow onion{1/4%small}(grated).

>> step: chill 2 hr, loosen with milk
Chill @&(~1)macaroni salad{} ~chill{2%hr}, then loosen it with @whole milk{2%Tbs} and taste for salt and vinegar before it goes out.