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Macaroni Salad Dolly Parton Style

Dolly Parton's Macaroni Salad: A Creamy Southern Delight

Dolly Parton’s Macaroni Salad is a classic Southern side dish made with tender pasta, crunchy vegetables, and a creamy, tangy dressing. It’s comforting, colorful, and perfect for potlucks, barbecues, or family dinners.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 30 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: American, Southern
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Salad Ingredients
  • 8 oz elbow macaroni
  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
  • 1 cup celery finely chopped
  • 1 cup green bell pepper diced
  • 1 cup red bell pepper diced
  • 1/2 cup red onion finely diced
  • 1/4 cup sweet pickle relish or dill relish
  • salt to taste
  • black pepper to taste
Optional Dressing Additions
  • 1 tablespoon milk optional, to thin dressing
  • 1 teaspoon paprika optional garnish

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook until al dente, about 8–10 minutes.
  2. Drain the pasta and rinse under cold water until completely cooled. Set aside.
  3. While the pasta cools, finely chop the celery, green bell pepper, red bell pepper, and red onion.
  4. In a large mixing bowl, combine mayonnaise, yellow mustard, and pickle relish. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
  5. Add the cooled macaroni and chopped vegetables to the bowl. Gently fold until everything is evenly coated.
  6. If desired, stir in milk to loosen the dressing.
  7. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving to allow flavors to meld.
  8. Garnish with a sprinkle of paprika before serving, if desired.

Notes

For a milder onion flavor, substitute red onion with sliced green onions. This salad tastes even better the next day.