Deli Style Macaroni Salad
Deli Style Macaroni Salad may quite possibly be the most perfect pasta salad. Tender pasta, slightly sweet, with a bit of crunch made right at home!
Equipment
- large saucepan
- medium saucepan
- measuring cups
- measuring spoons
- chef's knife
- cutting board
- strainer
- mixing bowl and whisk
Ingredients
Macaroni Salad Ingredients
- 2 cups dried macaroni pasta
- 4 eggs
- 1 cup finely diced sweet onion
- 1 cup finely diced celery
Dressing Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups mayonnaise
- 3/4 cup milk
- 2 teaspoons yellow mustard
- 1/3 cup sweet relish
- 1/8 teaspoon sea salt + 1 teaspoon for every 3 cups of water for the pasta
- 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 3 Tablespoons granulated sugar
Instructions
Boiling Pasta and Eggs
- Pasta. Start by placing the dried pasta in a large saucepan. Add water so that there is at least 2" of water covering the pasta. Add 1 teaspoon of sea salt for every 3 cups of water. Bring the water to a boil and cook to the time recommended on the box.
- Eggs. At the same time as the pasta starts, get the eggs going. Place four eggs in a medium saucepan. Cover the eggs with water and bring the water to a boil. Once the water is boiling, cover the pan and remove it from the heat. Let the eggs sit for 15 minutes.
Veggies
- Onion. Peel the onion. Cut the onion in half. Taking one half, cut off the root end and the dried top. Then, slice the onion into thin slices along the ribs, then across to make finely cut pieces. Put the onions in a mixing bowl.
- Celery. Cut the ends off the celery if they are dry. Be sure to clean any dirt off the stalks. Cut the stalk in half, then into sticks lengthwise. Next, cut the sticks into small, diced pieces. Add the celery to the onion.
Dressing
- Liquid Ingredients. In a different mixing bowl, add the mayo, milk, mustard, sweet relish and whisk together.
- Seasonings. Next, add the sugar, salt, and pepper to taste. I provided my recommended quantities but add more or less to your liking. Combine the dressing well.
Eggs and Pasta
- Pasta. After the pasta is done cooking, drain it well in a strainer. If you would like to eat the pasta right away, place the drained bowl of pasta in the freezer to cool. Skip this step if you want to serve the pasta the next day and chill the mixed pasta in the refrigerator overnight.
- Eggs. Drain the eggs and fill the saucepan back up with ice, cover with cold water. Allow the egg to chill until the ice is mostly melted. Drain and peel. Then chop up the eggs. Add them to the onions and celery.
Assembly
- Combine. Add the chilled pasta to the bowl with the onions, celery, and eggs.
- Add the Dressing. Pour the sauce mix over the pasta and veggies. Using a large spoon or spatula, gently fold the sauce into the mix. Serve immediately.