We Made the Hellmann’s Macaroni Salad Recipe, and It’s the Perfect Summer Dish

A classic macaroni salad is about balancing texture. The crunch of fresh veggies has to mix perfectly with the creaminess of the mayonnaise dressing. After much research, we can confirm: This Hellmann’s macaroni salad recipe strikes a satisfying balance, making it a surefire hit for summer potlucks.

How to Make Hellmann’s Macaroni Salad

For this recipe, we went straight to Hellmann’s themselves. Note that using different mayonnaise brands will result in slightly different flavors (and we definitely recommend using mayonnaise versus Miracle Whip). Although you can also make your own mayonnaise, we recommend Hellmann’s Real Mayonnaise for the all-around best taste.

Ingredients

• 8 ounces elbow macaroni
• 1 cup Hellmann’s mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons white vinegar
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 cup thinly sliced celery
• 1 cup chopped green or red bell pepper
• 1/4 cup diced white or yellow onion

Directions

Maria Lewczyk for Taste of Home

Step 1: Cook the noodles

Add 4-6 cups of water to a large pot, and salt the water. Bring the water to a boil. Boil the macaroni noodles according to package instructions, or 7-8 minutes until al dente. Drain, and set aside.

Step 2: Prep the veggies

Thinly slice the celery, discarding the bottoms and tops. Dice the bell pepper and onion. Place into a small bowl, and refrigerate until later use.

Step 3: Mix the dressing

Add the Hellmann’s mayo, white vinegar, Dijon mustard, sugar and ground black pepper into a mixing bowl. Combine thoroughly. Add the teaspoon of salt or more to taste. Set aside.

Step 4: Combine the ingredients

Add the cooked macaroni to a large serving bowl. Add the chopped veggies. Spoon the mayonnaise dressing into the serving bowl, mixing to combine the ingredients. Serve at room temperature or chilled for best results.

Here’s What I Thought

I grew up in the South, so macaroni salads are a staple in my summertime diet. This macaroni salad was effortless, and the portion size could feed a small army! The total prep and cooking time was about 20 minutes, making this a quick and easy recipe to make. I would experiment with other spiral-type noodles such as cavatappi or gemelli, and test other veggies to see what mix your friends and family like best.