Mom’s Macaroni Salad

Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil, salt the water well and add the pasta. Cook according to package instructions.

While the pasta is cooking, combine the celery and bell pepper in a large bowl or covered container.

In a small dish, add the vinegar, pepper, dry mustard and sugar and stir to combine. Put the mayonnaise in another bowl. Slowly, add some of the vinegar mixture into the mayonnaise until you reach your desired consistency. You are looking for something creamy, but not too liquid. I save some and set it aside and add more after adding the pasta if needed.

Drain the pasta and rinse with cold water. Make sure that all of the water is removed as the water left in the inside of the elbows will ruin the salad. Mix the pasta into the vegetables. Mix in the dressing until it reaches your preferred consistency then cover and chill for 4 hours or up to 24 hours.