Chef John'S Classic Macaroni Salad Recipe

Name: Chef John'S Classic Macaroni Salad
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1 cup mayonnaise; 1/4 cup white vinegar; 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard; 2 teaspoons kosher salt, or more to taste; 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper; 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper; 1 tablespoon white sugar, or more to taste; 1 cup finely diced celery; 3/4 cup diced red bell pepper; 1/2 cup grated carrot; 1/2 cup chopped green onions, white and light parts; 1/4 cup diced jalapeno pepper; 1/4 cup diced poblano pepper; 1 (16 ounce) package uncooked elbow macaroni; 1 tablespoon mayonnaise (optional); 1 tablespoon water (optional)

Servings: persons

1 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup white vinegar
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
2 teaspoons kosher salt, or more to taste
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon white sugar, or more to taste
1 cup finely diced celery
3/4 cup diced red bell pepper
1/2 cup grated carrot
1/2 cup chopped green onions, white and light parts
1/4 cup diced jalapeno pepper
1/4 cup diced poblano pepper
1 (16 ounce) package uncooked elbow macaroni
1 tablespoon mayonnaise (optional)
1 tablespoon water (optional)

1
Whisk 1 cup mayonnaise, vinegar, Dijon mustard, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper together in a bowl until well blended; whisk in sugar. Stir in celery, red bell pepper, carrot, onions, and jalapeno and poblano peppers. Refrigerate until macaroni is ready to dress.
2
Bring a large pot of well salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until cooked through, 8 to 10 minutes. Drain but do not rinse. Allow macaroni to drain in a colander about 5 minutes, shaking out moisture from time to time. Pour macaroni into large bowl; toss to separate and cool to room temperature. Macaroni should be sticky.
3
Pour dressing over macaroni and stir until dressing is evenly distributed. Cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate at least 4 hours or, ideally, overnight to allow dressing to absorb into the macaroni.
4
Stir salad before serving. Mix 1 tablespoon mayonnaise and 1 tablespoon water into salad for fresher look.

513

kcal

Calories

Fat

Carbs

Protein

Fat Carbs Protein

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.

Tips for the best results

Read through all the steps once before you start and measure out your ingredients first — it makes everything go more smoothly.
Taste as you go and adjust the seasoning before serving.
Avoid overcrowding the pan — cook in batches if needed for the best texture.
Let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving so the flavors settle.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within a few days.

Variations & substitutions

Brown sugar instead of white sugar adds a deeper, more caramel-like flavor.

No specific allergen information. Please check the ingredient list for possible allergens.

My Personal Notes

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How did you like this recipe?

This recipe makes 4 servings. You can adjust the portion size directly on this page.

You need 16 ingredients. The key ingredients include: 1 cup mayonnaise, 1/4 cup white vinegar, 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard, 2 teaspoons kosher salt, or more to taste, and more.

Yes, Chef John'S Classic Macaroni Salad falls under the Pasta & Noodles category and is a great choice for this type of meal.

Keep refrigerated in an airtight container and enjoy within 1–2 days for the best freshness. Best served cold — no reheating needed.

That's it — enjoy your meal!

Chef John'S Classic Macaroni Salad

Tips for the best results

Variations & substitutions

My Personal Notes

How did you like this recipe?

Frequently Asked Questions