This is a classic, tasty, and oh-so-easy macaroni salad recipe! Made with classic ingredient staples including celery, red pepper, and onion and dressed up in a simple creamy mayo-based dressing, this is guaranteed to be a hit at every cookout and potluck this year!
Be sure to check out the easy video that shows step-by-step how to make this recipe!
We have had a non-stop week of rain here.
Zach’s first two softball games of the season have been rained out and I’m beginning to forget what the sun looks like (I’m only slightly dramatic I promise 😉). I am completely over it. I’m ready for summertime sunshine and cookout weather, and with Memorial Day weekend just around the corner, I’m taking the opportunity to prepare and share my all-time favorite macaroni salad recipe, even if it is grey and gloomy outside.
Ingredients
- ▢8 oz macaroni noodles (227g)
- ▢½ cup finely diced sweet gherkins usually 4-6 sweet gherkins for me (80g)
- ▢¾ cup finely diced red bell pepper about ½ pepper (100g)
- ▢⅓ cup thinly sliced celery about 1-2 stalks (55g)
- ▢⅓ cup finely diced red onion (45g)
- ▢2 large hard-boiled eggs, finely diced
Macaroni Salad Dressing
- ▢¾ cup mayonnaise I use olive oil mayo (175g)
- ▢¼ cup sour cream (70g)
- ▢2 Tablespoons sweet pickle juice
- ▢1 Tablespoon red wine vinegar*
- ▢1 Tablespoon granulated sugar
- ▢2 teaspoons dijon mustard
- ▢¼ teaspoon salt
- ▢¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ▢⅛ teaspoon garlic powder
- ▢⅛ teaspoon crushed red pepper optional
Instructions
- Prepare macaroni noodles according to package instructions. Drain and rinse immediately with cold water, then drizzle with a teaspoon of olive oil and gently stir so the noodles don’t stick together as they sit.
- In a large bowl, combine macaroni noodles, sweet pickles, red pepper, celery, red onion, and eggs. Stir until well-combined. Set aside and prepare your dressing.
For the dressing
- To prepare your macaroni salad dressing, combine mayonnaise, sour cream, red wine vinegar, sweet pickle juice, sugar, dijon mustard, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and crushed red pepper (if using) in a medium-sized bowl. Whisk until ingredients are well-combined.
- Pour dressing over your macaroni salad ingredients and toss until well-combined.
- For best flavor, cover the bowl and allow macaroni salad to chill for at least one hour. Stir once more before serving and enjoy!
Notes
*If you don’t have red wine vinegar on hand, white wine or apple cider vinegar would also work well.
Nutrition
Serving: 1cup | Calories: 408kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 79mg | Sodium: 463mg | Potassium: 210mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 884IU | Vitamin C: 25mg | Calcium: 44mg | Iron: 1mg
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