Go Back
+ servings
classic creamy tangy macaroni salad

Hellmann’s Macaroni Salad

Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Resting Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Course Salad
Cuisine American
Servings 8 servings

Equipment

  • 1 Large pot
  • 1 colander
  • 1 large mixing bowl
  • 1 Small mixing bowl
  • 1 Cutting board
  • 1 Chef's knife
  • 1 Measuring cups set
  • 1 Measuring spoons set
  • 1 Mixing spoon

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cup elbow macaroni dry
  • 1 tablespoon salt for boiling water
  • 1 cup Hellmann’s mayonnaise full-fat
  • 2 tablespoon white vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
  • 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper ground
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 1 cup celery finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup red bell pepper finely diced
  • 1/2 cup green bell pepper finely diced
  • 1/4 cup red onion finely minced
  • 1/3 cup dill pickle relish drained
  • 2 large hard-boiled eggs chopped
  • 2 tablespoon fresh parsley optional; chopped

Instructions
 

  • Bring a large pot of water to a boil, add 1 tablespoon of salt, then add the elbow macaroni and cook according to package directions until just al dente.
  • Drain the cooked macaroni in a colander, rinse under cold water until completely cool, and let it drain very well.
  • In a small mixing bowl, whisk together Hellmann’s mayonnaise, white vinegar, yellow mustard, granulated sugar, kosher salt, black pepper, and milk until smooth.
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled macaroni, celery, red bell pepper, green bell pepper, red onion, dill pickle relish, and chopped hard-boiled eggs.
  • Pour the dressing over the macaroni mixture and gently stir until everything is evenly coated.
  • Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
  • Cover the bowl tightly and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld.
  • Before serving, stir the salad, sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley if using, and serve chilled.

Notes

For best texture, be sure the macaroni is well drained and fully cooled before adding the dressing so it doesn’t become watery or over-absorb the sauce; you can cook the pasta a minute past al dente if you prefer a softer, deli-style salad. The salad will thicken as it chills, so if it seems a bit dry before serving, loosen it with 1–2 tablespoons of milk or mayonnaise. This recipe holds well for up to 3 days in the refrigerator, making it ideal for make-ahead gatherings—just keep it well covered and avoid leaving it out at room temperature for more than 2 hours for food safety. Adjust sweetness, tang (vinegar), and crunch (vegetables) to your taste, and dice the vegetables finely so every bite has a balanced mix of flavors.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!