Description
Creamy deviled egg pasta salad brings classic picnic flavors together in one irresistible dish. Cold macaroni mixed with tangy mayo, mustard, and chopped eggs creates a crowd-pleasing summer classic you’ll crave at every potluck.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 6 hardboiled eggs
- 8 ounces (226 grams) ditalini, small penne, or elbow macaroni
- 3/4 cup (180 milliliters) mayonnaise
Seasoning and Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 1/2 tablespoons dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar, or fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Additional Ingredients:
- 1 clove garlic, finely minced or crushed to paste
- 2 tablespoons red onion, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons green onions
- 1/4 cup (60 grams) cooked and crumbled bacon (optional)
Instructions
- Boil pasta in salted water at a rolling boil for 8-10 minutes until al dente, then immediately drain and rinse with cold water to stop cooking process.
- Carefully peel hardboiled eggs and dice into uniform, bite-sized pieces.
- Create a creamy dressing by whisking together mayonnaise, dijon mustard, white vinegar, minced garlic, kosher salt, smoked paprika, and a pinch of cayenne pepper until smooth and well-integrated.
- Incorporate finely chopped red onion, sliced green onions, and crispy bacon pieces into the prepared dressing.
- Gently fold cooked pasta into the seasoned dressing, ensuring each pasta strand is evenly coated.
- Add chopped eggs to the pasta mixture, stirring carefully to distribute ingredients without breaking egg pieces.
- Taste and adjust seasonings, adding extra salt, pepper, or spices as needed.
- Refrigerate the pasta salad for a minimum of 60 minutes to allow flavors to meld and develop, creating a more cohesive and delicious dish.
Notes
- Rinse pasta thoroughly to stop cooking and prevent sticking, ensuring a perfect al dente texture for your salad.
- Experiment with Greek yogurt or light mayo to create a healthier version that cuts calories without sacrificing creamy flavor.
- Toast bacon bits for extra crunch and intensify their smoky flavor, adding a delightful textural contrast to the soft pasta and eggs.
- Customize heat levels by adjusting cayenne pepper, allowing guests with different spice tolerances to enjoy the dish comfortably.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 338 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 13 g
- Cholesterol: 185 mg