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Dolly Parton Macaroni Salad Recipe

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4.8 from 119 reviews

Dolly Parton’s Macaroni Salad is a vibrant, creamy side dish featuring tender elbow macaroni mixed with a colorful medley of diced bell peppers, celery, carrots, and onions, all combined with a tangy, flavorful dressing made from mayonnaise, sweet pickle relish, and yellow mustard. Chilled to perfection, this macaroni salad offers a refreshing twist on a classic comfort food, perfect for barbecues, picnics, or as a delightful accompaniment to your favorite meals.

Ingredients

Pasta

  • 2 cups elbow macaroni, cooked and cooled

Vegetables

  • 1/2 cup diced red bell pepper
  • 1/2 cup diced green bell pepper
  • 1/2 cup chopped celery
  • 1/4 cup finely diced red onion
  • 1/3 cup shredded carrots

Dressing

  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup sweet pickle relish
  • 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  1. Cook the Macaroni: Boil water with salt and cook the elbow macaroni according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down completely.
  2. Prepare Vegetables: While the macaroni cools, finely dice the red and green bell peppers, celery, and red onion. Shred the carrots and set all the vegetables aside.
  3. Make the Dressing: In a large mixing bowl, combine the mayonnaise, sweet pickle relish, yellow mustard, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to create a smooth and creamy dressing.
  4. Combine Salad Ingredients: Add the cooled macaroni and chopped vegetables to the bowl with the dressing. Gently mix everything together until all the ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing.
  5. Chill and Serve: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the macaroni salad for at least 2 hours. This chilling step allows the flavors to meld beautifully. Serve the salad cold for the best taste and texture.

Notes

  • Use freshly cooked and well-cooled macaroni to prevent the salad from becoming soggy.
  • Feel free to adjust the amount of sweet pickle relish and mustard to suit your taste preferences.
  • This salad can be made a day in advance and stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
  • For extra crunch, consider adding chopped hard-boiled eggs or crispy bacon bits.
  • Make sure to cover the salad well while refrigerating to maintain freshness.

Find it online: https://oliviabakes.com/dolly-parton-macaroni-salad-recipe/