Description

This classic Southern Macaroni Salad is a creamy, flavorful side dish perfect for picnics, barbecues, and family gatherings. Featuring elbow macaroni mixed with diced celery, onions, hard-boiled eggs, tuna, and a blend of mayonnaise and Miracle Whip, it offers a delightful combination of textures and a tangy, savory taste with a touch of paprika garnish.

Ingredients

Scale

Salad Ingredients

2 lbs Dried elbow macaroni
3 Stalks celery, diced
1/2 Medium onion, peeled and diced
3 Large hard-boiled eggs, chopped
6 oz Water-packed tuna fish, drained

Dressing Ingredients

3 3/4 cups Mayonnaise, divided
1 3/4 cups Miracle Whip Mayonnaise, divided
2 tsp Kosher salt
2 tsp Fresh ground black pepper
1/4 tsp Paprika, for garnish

Instructions

Boil Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the elbow macaroni according to the package instructions until al dente, usually about 8-10 minutes. Drain the pasta in a strainer and set aside to cool.
Prepare Vegetables and Eggs: While the pasta is cooking, dice the onion and celery finely. Chop the hard-boiled eggs into small pieces to incorporate well into the salad.
Mix Initial Dressing: In the pot you used for pasta, combine half of the mayonnaise and half of the Miracle Whip thoroughly to create the base dressing.
Add Ingredients to Dressing: Add the drained tuna, diced onion, celery, and chopped eggs to the pot with the dressing. Stir well to evenly distribute all ingredients.
Combine Pasta and Dressing: Add the drained and cooled pasta to the pot. Mix gently but thoroughly until the pasta is coated with the dressing and all components are well combined.
Finish Dressing and Season: Stir in the remaining mayonnaise and Miracle Whip to achieve a creamy texture throughout. Season with kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste. Adjust seasoning if needed.
Serve and Garnish: Transfer the macaroni salad to a serving dish. Sprinkle the top with paprika for color and added flavor before serving chilled or at room temperature.

Notes

For best flavor, refrigerate the salad for at least an hour before serving to allow the flavors to meld.
You can substitute Miracle Whip with additional mayonnaise if preferred for a richer taste.
Optionally, add chopped bell peppers or shredded carrots for extra color and crunch.
Ensure pasta is completely cooled before mixing with the dressing to prevent it from becoming mushy.
This recipe serves 16, so it’s ideal for large gatherings or potlucks.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Side Dish
Method: Boiling
Cuisine: Southern American

Keywords: Southern macaroni salad, creamy pasta salad, macaroni tuna salad, picnic side dish, Southern cooking, classic macaroni salad