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.
I’ve shared a few of my summertime salads, including my favorite broccoli salad and ramen noodle salad, but this one may just be my favorite.
Macaroni salad is a party/potluck/cookout staple, no get-together is complete without a giant chilled bowl, and today I’ll show you how I make my favorite recipe and the perfectly creamy, slightly sweet dressing that goes along with it.
What Ingredients are in Macaroni Salad?
Different macaroni salads contain different ingredients, but my staples include:
- Elbow macaroni (obviously 😉)
- Sweet pickles
- Red pepper
- Celery
- Red onion
- Hard boiled eggs or shredded or diced cheddar cheese
- A homemade mayo-based macaroni salad dressing
You can obviously add your favorite additional add-ins or make substitutions (I know some people prefer sliced green onions to red onion and some people like to add paprika to their dressing), but this if my favorite combination and I really recommend you try it out exactly this way at least once for yourself.
The dressing I just mentioned is what really sets it apart from other potluck recipes you might have tried. It provides just the right amount of creaminess — the noodles are coated in just enough sauce and are neither dry nor are they drenched in the dressing. It’s also just slightly sweetened thanks to the addition of some sweet pickle juice and a pinch of sugar.
How long can you keep Macaroni Salad?
Macaroni salad will keep for up to five days when stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container. This is a great salad for making in advance (I actually recommend chilling for at least an hour before serving) and serving at picnics and potlucks, but try not to leave it out at room temperature (or worse, in the heat!) for very long as the salad dressing base will not keep well in the heat.
This macaroni salad recipe is a favorite to serve alongside my favorite BBQ pulled chicken and a plate full of deviled eggs (you’re already going to be boiling eggs anyway, might as well make enough for deviled eggs while you’re at it!).
When I shared my deviled egg recipe, so many of you shared your favorite methods for cleanly peeling fresh eggs, and I appreciated those tips so much and have tried many of them. I’d love to keep the conversation going here if you would share your favorite egg-peeling methods in the comments!
How Do You Make Homemade Macaroni Salad?
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Macaroni Salad
Ingredients
- 8 oz dry 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 bowl and allow macaroni salad to chill for at least one hour. Stir once more before serving and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.
John Rocha, Jr.
That looks really good! I have never tried pickles or eggs in mine before and I am curious how this turns out!
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
We hope you love it, John! 😊
Shirley
This turned out very good! Will definitely be making it a lot. Thanks so much for sharing.
Ken
Yes this was delicious! I reduced the pickle juice to one tablespoons and used apple cider vinegar. Added a sprinkle of celery seed and tarragon as well. Loved this salad being the first time I made it.
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
We are so happy it was a hit, Ken! Thanks for trying our recipe 🙂
Destiny
Does anyone think using yellow mustard in lieu of Dijon will ruin this?
Sam Merritt
Hi Destiny! It could work, but it will definitely change the flavor. 🙂
Rachel MacLean
Just made it. Even before resting in the fridge it tastes really good. I had never put boiled eggs in my mac salad before and it makes a big difference. Used only yogourt instead of mayo and sour creme.
Added fresh corn, green onions and bacon pieces.
Other than that, I followed the recipe.
Thank you
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
We’re so happy you enjoyed it, Rachel! ☺️
Carolyn Morris
Wonderful! I made it for the 4th of July, and I received many compliments saying it was the best Macaroni Salad they had ever had! Thanks, this is a keeper!
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
We are so happy you gave our recipe a try, Carolyn! Thanks for coming back to leave a review–we really appreciate it 🥰
Debra
can you use scallions instead of red onions
Sam Merritt
Hi Debra! Scallions will certainly work here. It will change the flavor a little bit. 🙂
Becky
This is the best recipe on repeat for our family, especially in the summer.
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
We love hearing that, Becky! 🥰
Barbara R Alba
Best macaroni salad, and easy.
brian
IMHO the sauce was a bit too overwhelming. Maybe the red wine vinegar or Dijon or just the combination in general. everyone else really seemed to enjoy this recipe but it just wasn’t something i would make again. thank you for posting it though
Paulette
I will never use any other recipe. This is the best I ever tasted. Great recipe Sam
Amber
This is IT!!! I Finally found a macaroni salad recipe that tastes Just like how I remember it when I was a kid! Thank you! I just made it for my family and it was a hit!