If you’ve been following me for a while, you already know this recipe is completely out of character for me.
I spend so much of my time talking about technique—cook your pasta al dente, never rinse it, balance flavors naturally, and definitely don’t add sugar to everything. Then along comes this old-school macaroni salad that breaks every single one of those rules.
The pasta? I intentionally overcook it until it’s soft. Then I rinse it, which is something I almost never do. And yes, there’s sugar in the dressing. But here’s the thing: not every recipe is meant to be elevated. Some recipes are meant to transport you. They’re the ones that showed up at family barbecues, summer picnics, and Shabbat lunches. They’re familiar, nostalgic, and comforting because they taste exactly the way you remember them.
Could I make a more sophisticated macaroni salad? Of course. But that isn’t the point. This one makes me smile after the very first bite because it tastes like childhood.
So I give you macaroni salad (without the macaroni! I prefer rotini because the sauce and veggies get stuck between the grooves!), unapologetically old-school comfort food. And honestly? Sometimes that’s exactly what belongs on the table.
Old-School Macaroni Salad
1 (16-ounce) box rotini
3/4 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup sugar
3-4 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 stalk celery, finely diced celery
1 carrot, julienned
2 scallions, diced small
Method:
Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta until it’s past al dente and nice and soft, about 2–3 minutes longer than the package directions. Drain the pasta and rinse it well under cold water until completely cooled.
In a large bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sugar, lemon juice and kosher salt. If the mixture is too thick, add a bit of water to thin it out. Add the cooled pasta along with the celery, carrot and scallions. Toss until everything is evenly coated.
Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or until chilled. Taste before serving and adjust with a little more salt, sugar, or lemon juice if needed.
Related Recipes:
Angel Hair Pasta Salad
Salmon Pasta Salad
Tuna Pasta Salad
Basil Pasta