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A handheld smartphone photo of Dolly Parton's Macaroni Salad in a white ceramic bowl with visible black pepper and relish.

Dolly Parton's Macaroni Salad: The Ultimate Southern Potluck Classic

Dolly Parton's Macaroni Salad is a creamy Southern staple featuring elbow macaroni, a tangy mayo-mustard dressing, crunchy celery, and hard-boiled eggs. Perfect for summer BBQs and potlucks with its signature pale-yellow finish.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 8 cups
Course: Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: Southern American
Calories: 310
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 2 cups (200g) Elbow Macaroni Uncooked
  • 3 large Hard-boiled eggs Chopped into chunks
  • 1/2 cup (100g) Fresh celery Chopped
  • 1/2 cup (75g) Red bell pepper Finely diced
  • 1/4 cup (40g) White onion Minced
  • 1 cup (240ml) Mayonnaise High quality
  • 2 tbsp (30ml) Yellow mustard Classic smooth
  • 3 tbsp (45ml) Sweet pickle relish
  • 1/2 tsp Ground black pepper Plus more for garnish

Equipment

  • 1 Large pot For boiling macaroni
  • 1 White Ceramic Mixing Bowl For mixing and serving

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Boil elbow macaroni in salted water for 7-8 minutes until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water immediately.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, yellow mustard, and sweet pickle relish until a thick, pale-yellow dressing forms.
  3. Add the cooled macaroni, celery, red bell pepper, and onions to the dressing. Fold gently with a spatula.
  4. Add the chopped hard-boiled egg chunks and fold carefully to keep them intact.
  5. Sprinkle with black pepper and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.

Notes

Rinse the pasta thoroughly to keep the dressing creamy.
Let the salad chill for 2-4 hours for the best flavor development.