Description
A creamy, tangy, and nostalgic Southern favorite—Dolly Parton’s Macaroni Salad is a go-to side dish perfect for potlucks, barbecues, or a make-ahead weekday meal. Loaded with fresh veggies and a sweet-vinegar dressing, it’s the kind of recipe you’ll keep coming back to.
Ingredients
2 cups elbow macaroni, uncooked
1 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons white vinegar
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 cup green bell pepper, finely chopped
1/2 cup red bell pepper, finely chopped
1/4 cup onion, grated or finely chopped
1/2 cup celery, finely chopped
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni according to package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, vinegar, and sugar until smooth and creamy.
3. Add chopped green and red bell peppers, onion, and celery to the dressing. Mix well.
4. Fold in the cooled macaroni. Gently stir until everything is well coated.
5. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
6. Cover and chill for at least 2 hours, or overnight for best flavor. Stir before serving.
Notes
Chill overnight for the best flavor—the dressing gets absorbed beautifully.
To mellow raw onion, soak it in cold water for 10 minutes before mixing.
You can add diced ham or chopped boiled eggs for an easy protein boost.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 290mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: Dolly Parton’s Macaroni Salad, Southern pasta salad, summer side dish