Zesty Deviled Egg Macaroni Salad Recipe for Sunny Gatherings
Crafting a delicious deviled egg macaroni salad brings pure comfort to your summer gatherings.
Memories of picnics and potlucks dance through this creamy classic.
Tangy mustard and rich egg yolks create a perfect harmony of flavors.
Creamy textures blend seamlessly with crisp, fresh ingredients.
Pasta shells capture every delightful bite of seasoned goodness.
Unexpected twists make this recipe a crowd-pleasing sensation that will have everyone asking for seconds.
Ingredients List for Deviled Egg Macaroni Salad
For the Carbohydrate Base:For the Protein Components:For the Dressing and Flavor Enhancers:For the Aromatic and Crunchy Elements:For the Seasoning:How to Make Deviled Egg Macaroni Salad at Home
Step 1: Boil Pasta
Cook elbow macaroni in a pot of salted water following package instructions until perfectly tender. Drain the pasta and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool it down quickly.
Let the pasta sit and drain completely.
Step 2: Prep Eggs
Gently peel the hard-boiled eggs, carefully separating the yolks from the whites.
Chop the egg whites into small, bite-sized pieces. Place the golden yolks in a mixing bowl and mash them thoroughly with a fork until they become crumbly.
Step 3: Create Creamy Dressing
Add these ingredients to the mashed egg yolks:Whisk the ingredients together until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy with a vibrant yellow color.
Step 4: Combine Salad Components
In a large mixing bowl, toss together:Step 5: Mix and Dress
Pour the creamy egg yolk dressing over the pasta mixture.
Stir gently but thoroughly to ensure every pasta piece and vegetable is evenly coated with the tangy dressing.
Step 6: Chill and Develop Flavors
Cover the bowl with a tight-fitting lid or plastic wrap.
Refrigerate the salad for at least 2 hours, allowing the flavors to blend and intensify. The longer it chills, the more delicious it becomes.
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How to Store Deviled Egg Macaroni Salad Properly
Store the macaroni salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, keeping it fresh and preventing bacterial growth.
Do not freeze this salad, as mayonnaise-based dressings separate and become watery, compromising texture and taste when thawed.
Enjoy this dish cold straight from the refrigerator, as reheating will make the pasta mushy and mayonnaise-based dressing unappetizing.
Before serving chilled leftovers, gently stir the salad to redistribute the dressing and restore its creamy consistency.
FAQs
Yes, this salad actually tastes better when prepared a day in advance, allowing the flavors to blend and develop more depth in the refrigerator.
No, traditional elbow macaroni contains wheat. You’ll need to use gluten-free pasta if you want a gluten-free version of this recipe.
When stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, this salad will stay fresh for 3-4 days. Always check for any signs of spoilage before consuming.
While the current dressing creates a classic flavor, you can experiment with different mustards or replace sweet pickle relish with chopped dill pickles for a slightly different taste profile.
Why Deviled Egg Macaroni Salad Is So Satisfying
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Deviled Egg Macaroni Salad Recipe
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 8 1x
Description
Creamy deviled egg macaroni salad blends classic picnic favorites into one irresistible dish. Cool pasta swirled with tangy mayo, zesty mustard, and rich egg crumbles will make you the star of summer gatherings.
Ingredients
Pasta and Eggs:
- 3 cups (720 milliliters) elbow macaroni, uncooked
- 10 large eggs, hard-boiled and peeled
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) celery, diced
Dressing and Seasonings:
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) mayonnaise
- 1/3 cup (80 milliliters) sweet pickle relish
- 1/3 cup (80 milliliters) yellow mustard
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Boil elbow macaroni in salted water for 8-10 minutes until tender. Drain and cool completely under cold running water, then set aside.
- Carefully separate hard-boiled egg yolks from whites. Finely dice egg whites and reserve. Crush egg yolks into fine crumbles using a fork.
- Create a creamy dressing by whisking mashed egg yolks with mayonnaise, mustard, pickle relish, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper until smooth and well-incorporated.
- Combine cooled macaroni with chopped egg whites, diced onion, and chopped celery in a spacious mixing bowl.
- Drizzle prepared dressing over pasta mixture, gently folding to ensure even coating and distribution of ingredients.
- Seal bowl with lid or plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 2-3 hours to allow flavors to harmonize and salad to chill thoroughly.
Notes
- Adjust the mustard’s intensity by starting with less and tasting, ensuring the flavor doesn’t overpower the other ingredients.
- Swap mayonnaise with Greek yogurt or vegan mayo to create a lighter, healthier version that caters to different dietary preferences.
- Enhance the crunch by adding toasted sunflower seeds or chopped almonds for extra texture and nutty flavor without compromising the classic deviled egg profile.
- Make ahead and store in an airtight container for up to 3 days, allowing the flavors to develop and intensify while maintaining optimal freshness.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 345 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 540 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 14 g
- Cholesterol: 155 mg
Nate Harper
Founder & Recipe Curator
Expertise
Single-Recipe Development, Farm-to-Table Cooking, Seasonal Menu Planning, Culinary Storytelling, Home Kitchen Innovation
Education
Cascade Culinary Institute – Central Oregon Community College
Certificate in Culinary Arts
Focus: Farm-to-table cuisine, sustainable cooking practices, and seasonal recipe creation.
Nate studied under experienced chefs who emphasized local sourcing, minimal waste, and building recipes from fresh, simple ingredients.
Nate Harper is the founder and creative force behind Make, Take, Bake. Raised in the wild beauty of Oregon’s high desert, Nate grew up surrounded by family gardens, farmers’ markets, and home kitchens that celebrated the seasons.
His early love for simple, honest food evolved into a professional passion when he attended Cascade Culinary Institute, where he sharpened his skills in creating recipes that are sustainable, satisfying, and made for everyday life.
Nate’s goal is to make cooking feel accessible, free of fuss, and full of flavor. He believes a single, thoughtfully built dish can stand alone, and sometimes even steal the show.