Creamy Macaroni Salad
Creamy Macaroni Salad
Easy and Delicious Homemade Macaroni Salad Recipe
Many macaroni salad recipes call for rinsing cooked macaroni under cold water to remove starch. However, this can prevent the dressing from adhering well and cause the macaroni to become hard over time. This recipe suggests letting the cooked macaroni cool slightly before mixing, ensuring a moist and tender salad. Try this simple yet delightful macaroni salad today!
Salad Ingredients- 120g Macaroni
- 1 cup Sweet Corn (drained)
- 1/2 medium Cucumber (about 90g)
- 1/6 medium Carrot (about 60g)
- 1/3 Bell Pepper (any color)
- 2 imitation Crab Sticks
Mayonnaise Dressing- 7 Tbsp Mayonnaise
- 1 Tbsp Sugar
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- Pinch of Black Pepper
- 7 Tbsp Mayonnaise
- 1 Tbsp Sugar
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- Pinch of Black Pepper
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, let’s cook the macaroni. Bring a pot of generously salted water (about 1 Tbsp salt per 1 liter of water) to a boil, then add the macaroni. I cooked mine for 12 minutes to achieve a tender, classic texture. (Refer to the package instructions for precise cooking times.)
Step 2
While the macaroni is cooking, let’s prepare the vegetables. Take half a cucumber (about 90g), cut it lengthwise into four quarters, and then carefully slice away the seedy core. Removing the seeds helps prevent the salad from becoming watery.
Step 3
After removing the seeds, slice the cucumber quarters lengthwise again, then dice them into small pieces, similar in size to the sweet corn kernels. Aim for a bite-sized piece, not too finely chopped, to retain a pleasant crunch.
Step 4
Dice 1/3 of a bell pepper and the two imitation crab sticks into similarly sized pieces as the cucumber. The bell pepper adds a lovely splash of color and freshness to the salad.
Step 5
Finely dice the carrot (about 60g). Since carrots can be a bit firm, it’s best to chop them smaller than the other vegetables to ensure they cook evenly and are easy to chew.
Step 6
Once all your vegetables are chopped, place them into a large mixing bowl. Having everything prepped and ready makes the next step much smoother.
Step 7
Drain the macaroni that has been cooked for 12 minutes. Instead of rinsing it with cold water, let the hot steam dissipate for a minute or two. This crucial step preserves the starch, which helps the dressing cling beautifully to the macaroni, resulting in a creamier salad.
Step 8
Now it’s time to bring everything together! Add the slightly cooled macaroni and all the prepared vegetables to the bowl. Sprinkle in 1/2 tsp salt, 1 Tbsp sugar, add 7 Tbsp mayonnaise, and a pinch of black pepper. Gently mix everything together with a spatula or spoon, being careful not to mash the ingredients. Ensure the dressing is evenly distributed throughout the salad.
Step 9
Your delicious and creamy macaroni salad is ready! It’s wonderful served warm, but also makes a fantastic chilled side dish. Enjoy it on its own or serve it with bread.
