Dolly Parton’s Macaroni Salad
Dolly Parton’s macaroni salad is a creamy, nostalgic Southern side made with tender pasta, sweet pickles, crunchy vegetables, and a classic homemade dressing.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes (includes chilling)
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Southern
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
2 cups elbow macaroni (uncooked)
1 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
2 teaspoons sugar
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
½ cup chopped celery
½ cup chopped green bell pepper
¼ cup finely chopped red onion
⅓ cup sweet pickle relish (or chopped sweet pickles)
Instructions
Cook the Pasta:
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the elbow macaroni until al dente according to package instructions. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool completely.
Prepare the Veggies:
While the pasta cools, finely chop the celery, green bell pepper, red onion, and sweet pickles or relish.
Make the Dressing:
In a large bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, sugar, salt, and black pepper until smooth.
Combine:
Add the cooled pasta to the bowl and gently fold to coat with dressing. Stir in the chopped vegetables and pickle relish until well mixed.
Chill and Serve:
Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (or overnight). Stir before serving and add extra mayo if the salad feels dry.
Notes
Add 1 extra tablespoon of mayo if the salad thickens too much after chilling.
Rinsing the pasta in cold water is key to prevent it from becoming mushy.
This salad tastes even better the next day—ideal for make-ahead prep.
Find it online: https://allrecipesmade.com/dolly-partons-macaroni-salad/
