Get ready to bring a taste of Dollywood to your kitchen with the one and only Dolly Parton Macaroni Salad recipe. This isn’t just any pasta salad; it’s a creamy, tangy, and perfectly seasoned side dish that embodies the heart and soul of Southern comfort food. Whether you’re planning a summer barbecue, a potluck, or just a simple family dinner, this recipe is guaranteed to be a star.
Inspired by the Queen of Country herself, this macaroni salad is simple to make but delivers big on flavor. We’ve captured the classic taste you love and added a few special touches to make it truly unforgettable. It’s the perfect make-ahead dish that gets even better as it chills!
Why You’ll Love This Dolly Parton Macaroni Salad
- Incredibly Creamy: The dressing is the perfect balance of creamy mayonnaise and tangy seasonings, coating every piece of pasta.
- Full of Flavor & Texture: With crunchy celery, crisp bell pepper, and sharp red onion, every bite is a delightful mix of textures.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: It’s a crowd-pleasing favorite for picnics, holidays, and weeknight dinners alongside a perfectly roasted Cornish hen.
- Easy to Prepare: The steps are simple and straightforward, making it a great recipe for cooks of all skill levels.
The Secret to Dolly’s Famous Macaroni Salad
The magic of this Dolly Parton Macaroni Salad lies in its dressing and the harmony of its simple ingredients. The key is using good quality mayonnaise as a base. From there, a splash of vinegar and a hint of sugar create that classic sweet and tangy flavor profile that defines a great Southern-style macaroni salad. Don’t be afraid to let it sit! Chilling the salad for at least a few hours allows the flavors to meld together for a truly spectacular taste.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe uses simple, easy-to-find ingredients to create a truly memorable dish. The combination of fresh vegetables and a creamy, tangy dressing is what makes this macaroni salad a standout. You’ll find the full measurements in the recipe card below.
How to Make Dolly Parton’s Macaroni Salad Step-by-Step
Making this delicious side dish is as easy as boiling pasta and mixing a few ingredients. We’ll walk you through each step to ensure your macaroni salad comes out perfect every single time. Let’s get started!
Step 1: Cook the Macaroni
First, bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add your elbow macaroni and cook according to the package directions until it’s al dente. You want it to be tender but still have a slight bite. Once cooked, drain the pasta well and rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down quickly.
Step 2: Prepare the Vegetables
While the pasta is cooking, take the time to finely chop your celery, red onion, and red bell pepper. The smaller the dice, the better they will incorporate into the salad, ensuring you get a little bit of everything in each spoonful. You can also hard-boil your eggs during this step.
Step 3: Mix the Dressing
In a large bowl—the one you’ll serve the salad in—whisk together the mayonnaise, white vinegar, sugar, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper. Keep whisking until the dressing is completely smooth and creamy. This will be the flavorful base of your Dolly Parton Macaroni Salad.
Step 4: Combine and Chill
Add the cooled macaroni, chopped celery, red onion, bell pepper, and peeled, chopped hard-boiled eggs to the bowl with the dressing. Gently fold everything together until the pasta and vegetables are evenly coated. For the best flavor, cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 2-4 hours, or preferably overnight. This gives the ingredients time to get acquainted and results in a much more flavorful salad.
Tips for the Best Creamy Macaroni Salad
- Don’t Overcook the Pasta: Al dente pasta holds its shape better and won’t turn mushy once the dressing is added.
- Rinse the Pasta: Rinsing the macaroni under cold water is a crucial step. It stops the cooking process and removes excess starch, which can make the salad gummy.
- Let it Chill: This salad is good right away, but it’s great after it has had time to chill. The flavors deepen and meld together beautifully in the refrigerator.
- Adjust to Your Taste: Feel free to adjust the seasonings. You might prefer a little more sugar for sweetness or a bit more vinegar for a tangy kick.
What to Serve with Macaroni Salad
This Dolly Parton Macaroni Salad is the ultimate side dish for almost any main course. It’s a perfect companion for grilled meats like chicken or burgers. We especially love it with these flavorful Cowboy Butter Chicken Bites or as part of a classic Southern meal with some fluffy honey cornbread.
How to Store Leftovers
Store any leftover macaroni salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh and delicious for up to 3-4 days. The salad might absorb some of the dressing as it sits, so you may want to stir in an extra spoonful of mayonnaise before serving again to restore its creaminess.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, this recipe is a great base for customization! Some popular additions include a tablespoon of sweet pickle relish for extra tang, shredded cheddar cheese for richness, or some crispy bacon for a savory crunch.
Absolutely! In fact, this recipe is best when made at least 2-4 hours in advance, or even the night before. This gives the pasta time to absorb the flavors of the dressing for a more delicious result.
When stored in an airtight container, this macaroni salad will stay fresh and delicious for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator. The dressing may thicken slightly, so you can stir in a spoonful of mayonnaise to loosen it before serving.
Classic elbow macaroni is the traditional choice and works perfectly. Its small, tubular shape holds the creamy dressing well. Any small pasta shape like small shells or ditalini would also be a great substitute.
Its perfect balance of creamy, tangy, and sweet flavors captures the essence of classic Southern comfort food. The secret is a simple, well-balanced dressing and letting it chill so the flavors can fully meld together.
Share This Southern Classic!
We hope you love this Dolly Parton Macaroni Salad recipe as much as we do! It’s a timeless classic that’s sure to bring smiles to your dinner table. If you make it, we’d love for you to leave a comment below and let us know how it turned out. Don’t forget to share it with your friends and family on Pinterest!
Dolly Parton Macaroni Salad Recipe
Dolly Parton Macaroni Salad Recipe (A Southern Classic!)
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the elbow macaroni according to package directions until al dente. Drain well and rinse under cold water until completely cool.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, white vinegar, granulated sugar, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- To the bowl with the dressing, add the cooled macaroni, diced red bell pepper, celery, red onion, and chopped hard-boiled eggs.
- Gently stir all the ingredients together until everything is well-coated in the dressing. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 2-4 hours before serving to allow the flavors to meld.
- Give the macaroni salad a final stir before serving. Garnish with a sprinkle of paprika or fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
Feel free to add other ingredients like sweet pickles or green olives for extra flavor.
Ensure the pasta is completely cool before mixing it with the dressing to prevent the mayonnaise from separating.
